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Enthusiastic supporters welcomed Donald Trump at a Florida event early Wednesday as he asserted victory in the U.S. presidential election, celebrating their apparent triumph even as most major news networks refrained from declaring a winner.
Ted Sarvanis, 68, expressed his elation to AFP, describing the moment as “extraordinary” and proclaiming it “the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
🔥🚨BREAKING: Philadelphia is currently organizing an anti-Trump protest after President Elect Trump won the election last now. Chicago is also currently protesting pic.twitter.com/VQWHVMw6ZU
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) November 7, 2024
Trump, joined by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, confidently declared “a political victory that our country has never seen before,” despite Fox News being the only television network projecting the outcome at that time.
Meanwhile, at Howard University, Kamala Harris’s supporters departed dejectedly after learning the vice president would not be addressing them on election night. Charlyn Anderson voiced her concerns to AFP earlier, saying, “I am scared, I am anxious now. We won’t give up until it’s done but I’m scared.”
As the evening progressed, Trump’s electoral college numbers grew, with three of the seven crucial battleground states called in his favor, bringing him close to victory.
The Trump event at the Palm Beach County Convention Center saw a mix of formally dressed attendees and ardent supporters, many sporting the iconic red “Make America Great Again” caps.
Stacy Kurtz, 45, expressed relief, admitting she had been apprehensive about the outcome.
In contrast, the mood at a Democrat watch party in Pennsylvania turned somber. Lynn Johnson, 65, expressed frustration and concern about the potential consequences of a Trump victory.
Every single military official involved in the treasonous Afghanistan withdrawal must have their resignations on Trump's White House desk by noon on Inauguration Day.
pic.twitter.com/2ZlFbYnEQA— George (@BehizyTweets) November 7, 2024
In Atlanta, a once-lively watch party at the Hyatt Regency became subdued around midnight, with organizers turning off TV screens and asking attendees to leave.
The stark difference in atmosphere between the Trump and Harris rallies was mirrored by the contrasting views of their supporters. Ken Brown, a Harris supporter, struggled to comprehend Trump’s appeal, stating, “He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense. I don’t know who’s voting for him.”