Former President Donald Trump catapulted closer to a stunning return to the White House early Wednesday as he took North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania, three critical swing states.
The so-called “blue wall” states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan were Vice President Kamala Harris’ best path of winning the White House after Trump claimed Georgia and North Carolina. Without Pennsylvania, Harris doesn’t appear to have a path to the White House, and NBC News and Fox News called the commonwealth for Trump.
In addition to North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania Trump quickly picked up Florida, Ohio and several Southern Republican strongholds, including Texas. Harris has won a group of states in the Northeast, stretching from Vermont to Maryland, as well as New York and her home state of California.
Republicans have also picked up control of the Senate, adding to what could be a very good night for Trump.
As results come in from battlegrounds, keep up with the USA TODAY Network’s live coverage and check back here for results.
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Trump: ‘God spared my life for a reason’
Trump’s victory speech lasted about 25 minutes, praising his aides and supporters, and marveling at a wild campaign that included two assassination attempts.
“Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason,” Trump said at one point. “And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness. And now we are going to fulfill that mission together.”
Often echoing parts of his campaign stump speech, Trump said his campaign put together diverse coalitions with similar views on immigration and the economy, forming what he called “a common core of common sense.”
Harris wins Minnesota
Democrat Kamala Harris has won the state of Minnesota. She is awarded 10 electoral votes.
Tim Walz, Harris’ vice presidential running mate, serves as governor of the state. The North Star State has been a reliable Democratic stronghold. However in 2016, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton barely eked out a win in the state over Republican Donald Trump by 1.5 percentage points.
– Rebecca Morin
Trump on Vance: ‘I took a little heat at the beginning’
Donald Trump praised his vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.
“I took a little heat at the beginning but I knew the brain was a good one,” he joked about the senator, who stirred controversy early in the campaign by calling Democratic women “childless cat ladies.”
Political analysts raised concerns that Trump has made a mistake in picking the young up-and-coming Republican.
– Riley Beggin
Trump: ‘We made history’
Trump sounded as surprised as anybody in declaring victory, citing the many obstacles he faced during a volatile campaign.
“Look what happened – is this crazy?” Trump told a screaming crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, also telling supporters that his campaign “made history.”
Echoing comments he made on the campaign trail, Trump credited his political movement for winning a second term in office. Trump also praised Vice President-elect JD Vance and members of the Trump family, including first-lady-to-be (once again) Melania Trump.
Addressing the crowd, Vance said Trump pulled off “the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America.”
With some states still out, the president-elect predicted he would wind up with at least 315 electoral votes. He also noted that Republicans would win the U.S. Senate and likely the House.
Trump also pledged to “help our country heal” after a divisive election.
– David Jackson
Trump praises Senate wins, Speaker Mike Johnson
Donald Trump praised Senate Republicans for retaking the upper chamber Tuesday night, and expressed his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who plans to run to retain his leadership role during an internal election next week.
