former president Donald Trump He took the stage at the West Palm Beach County Convention Center with his family early Wednesday morning to loud cheers from supporters.
As Trump neared the 270 electoral votes needed to win, the path for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach that threshold, who claimed victory, narrowed in Trump’s North Carolina, Georgia and highly coveted Pennsylvania.
At the time, ABC News still didn’t predict a winner in the overall race, or in the four remaining swing states, as the results continued to roll.
“We overcame obstacles that no one thought possible,” Trump said. “And now it’s clear that we’ve got the most incredible policy – well, look what happened, isn’t it crazy? But it’s a political victory.”
“This is a political victory that our country has never seen before, nothing like it,” he added. “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of electing you as your 47th president and 45th president.”
Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an election night event on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives for an election night event with former First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 6, 2024.
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He did not mention Harris.
Trump told the crowd he had ushered in a new “golden age of America.”
“Every citizen, I will fight for you, for your family and for your future,” he said. “I will fight for you every day, and with every breath in my body.”
Before Trump spoke, his son Eric posted a photo of his father behind him.
Trump went to the convention center shortly after he was scheduled to win North Carolina. He walked with members of his family and his core campaign management team.
The former president filled the stage with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Dana White and his family.
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives for an election night event with former first lady Melania Trump and her son Barron Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 6, 2024.
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Former US President Donald Trump prepares to speak during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 6, 2024.
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At one point, Trump mentioned the attack against him in Butler, Pennsylvania in mid-July.
“Many people have told me that God saved my life for a reason,” she said. “And that reason was to save our country and restore America to greatness, and now we will accomplish that mission together.”
Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, and his family were also on stage with Trump. Vance made brief remarks of his own.
“I think we’re going to witness the greatest political comeback in American history,” Vance said.
Trump said that Vance “was a good choice” and that he “took a little heat at first” — a reference to Vance’s surprise appearance as the vice presidential nominee — prompting laughter from the audience.
Trump also praised Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who became one of Trump’s staunchest supporters in the final months of the campaign.
“Oh, I’ll tell you, we’ve got a new star. A star is born,” Trump said of Musk.
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida, November 6, 2024.
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Trump’s watch party mood began to mirror a campaign rally when North Carolina was called, according to ABC News campaign reporters. Florida.
People also booed at the screens as Harris campaign chairman Cedric Richmond said Harris was speaking at his watch party at Howard University. Harris will address the nation on Wednesday, Richmond said.
