Flanked by family and supporters, Donald J. Trump declared victory in the small hours Wednesday morning from a star-spangled stage in West Palm Beach, Fla.
“We’ve achieved the most incredible political thing,” said Mr. Trump, addressing supporters gathered at a campaign watch party before most major news media outlets had called the race. “This was the greatest political movement of all time,” he added.
In wide-ranging remarks over about 25 minutes, Mr. Trump thanked the American people, campaign officials and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, whom Mr. Trump acknowledged “turned out to be a good choice.” That he was still alive to take the White House was a sign from God, Mr. Trump suggested, nodding to the failed attempt on his life this summer.
He spoke as The Associated Press said he had won the battleground state of Pennsylvania, making Ms. Harris’s path to the White House all but impossible.
Hewing closely to his language at rallies, Mr. Trump veered from immigration issues to the economy to praise for the billionaire Elon Musk, one of his most prominent supporters, whom he praised for providing the Starlink internet service to North Carolinians in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
“I’ll never be doing a rally again. Can you believe it?” Mr. Trump told the crowd.
He was joined onstage by his wife Melania and his children, including Ivanka Trump, who had not made a public appearance on the campaign trail this year. He gave the microphone to Dana White, the UFC chief executive, who thanked a list of podcasters and YouTubers who interviewed Mr. Trump as part of his campaign’s strategy to encourage turnout among young men.
He also gave a nod to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Mr. Trump has said previously would be offered a position in his administration.
“He’s going to help make America healthy again,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Kennedy.
Mr. Trump went on to call the election a “historic realignment” of American interests.
“I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve,” he said. “This will truly be the golden age of America.”
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