Donald Trump retakes US presidency in stunning comeback

RFI

5 November 2024 at 8:22 am·1-min read

Republican Donald Trump addresses supporters at his rally at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida on 6 November, 2024.

Republican Donald Trump has defeated Democrat Kamala Harris to win the 2024 US presidential election after picking up the key battleground states of North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Earlier, he pledged to "heal" the country as results showed the former leader headed for a stunning return to the White House.

Republicans have also taken control of the Senate. Harris, meanwhile, has cancelled her election night party.

Trump's election as the 47th president of the United States marks an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

With a win in Wisconsin, Trump has cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency. That's the same state that put him over the top when he won in 2016.

Philadelphia trauma surgeon says US gun violence can and must be tackled

Trump has claimed an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” to govern – promising the cheering crowd at his election night rally in West Palm Beach that his victory would "truly be the golden age of America”.

Harris, 60, had been hoping to become the first woman president in the country’s 248-year history – and the first black woman and person of South Asian descent to hold the office.

Check out our blog for a recap of developments as they happened:

Associated Press Finance
Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine US dollar
President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its preeminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said: “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy."
The Independent
‘Embarrassed’ Barron looks on as Trump and ‘First Buddy’ Elon Musk dance to YMCA at Mar-a-Lago Thanksgiving
Musk was once again spotted with the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago as they celebrated Thanksgiving
HuffPost
Trump Wants Jared Kushner's Father To Be His Ambassador To France
The president-elect pardoned Charles Kushner near the end of his first term in the Oval Office.
HuffPost
Pete Hegseth's Mom Called Him An 'Abuser Of Women' In Email: Report
The New York Times obtained a copy of an email sent by the mother of Trump's chosen defense chief, who has a history of sexual misconduct allegations.
The Independent
Elon Musk names financial watchdog government agency he wants to ‘delete’
Musk used a clip from ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ to make the announcement
Australian Associated Press
China blasts US arms sale to Taiwan, president's visit
China says it will take "resolute countermeasures" against the latest US arms sale to Taiwan, adding it has lodged "stern representations" with Washington.
The Daily Beast
Ex-Trump Official Warns: ‘Do Not Underestimate AOC’ in 2028
A former Trump administration official thinks Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could make a formidable candidate for president, warning Republicans not to underestimate her. Monica Crowley, former assistant secretary of public affairs at the Treasury Department, discussed the progressive lawmaker’s capabilities Friday night on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle. Guest host Lisa Boothe first noted how Ocasio-Cortez asked constituents who voted for her but not for Vice President Kamala Harris why th
The Daily Beast
Trump Picks Fierce Loyalist Kash Patel for Major Shake-Up of FBI
In what could prove to be another controversial cabinet pick for his second presidential term, Donald Trump has announced that he wants Kash Patel to run the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Patel, 44, is a long-time Trump loyalist. If approved, he will replace current director Christopher Wray, reports CBS News. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump described his nominee as a “brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending
NewsWire
Why ex-Israeli minister blocked from Aus
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he barred the ex-Israeli minister from coming to Australia due to concerns her views could “undermine social cohesion”.
The Hill
Senate Democrat defends Vindman against Musk’s ‘treason’ threat
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hit Elon Musk for suggesting in a post on his social platform X on Wednesday that retired Army Lt. Col Alexander Vindman “committed treason” and “will pay” after the former Trump impeachment witness accused the tech billionaire and close Trump ally of being unwittingly used by Russia. “Message to Elon Musk—The Vindman family…
Sky News
Emotional Zelenskyy opens up on peace, sacrifice and family in exclusive interview
The watch was a new one to me, as my battered 35-year-old one barely keeps time these days, let alone constitute any type of security threat -but they were having none of it. "A nation has land, and it's very important for your identity, but the people are the most important."
The Hill
Trump wants a Gaza ceasefire deal ‘now,’ Graham says
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that President-elect Trump wants to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal before inauguration day on Jan. 20, Axios reported on Friday. “Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now,” Graham told Axios. “I…
The Independent
Zelensky says Ukraine could temporarily cede territory to Russia in exchange for Nato membership
Ukrainian president believes any ceded territory can eventually be reclaimed through diplomatic means
HuffPost
How A Recent Supreme Court Decision May Have Already Hamstrung RFK Jr.'s Big Plans
Can liberals stop worrying and love the end of "Chevron deference"?
HuffPost
Ex-FBI Deputy Director Sounds Alarm On Trump's Kash Patel Pick: 'Profoundly Unqualified'
Andrew McCabe said Trump's controversial choice is a "terrible development" for those at the agency, and his lack of qualifications aren't up for "debate."
The Hill
Opinion - Liberals’ reactions to 2024: Isolation, insurrection, secession
Democratic figures and celebrities have expressed their contempt for voters as "f---ing morons" and "arrogant, ignorant" adolescents, while others have called for secession or isolation in response to the recent election results.
The Hill
Opinion - Special treatment for Russia — a dangerous American tradition
Beginning with Presidents Clinton and Bush in the early 2000s, the U.S. response to the Kremlin’s malign activities has all too often been excessively deferential.
CNN
Clashes erupted outside a Hindu temple near Toronto. They’re the latest sign of Canada and India’s spiraling relations
Hindu nationalists and pro-Khalistan Sikhs hurled fists and flagpoles at one another as the violence spilled into the grounds of the Hindu Sabha temple, in an incident which triggered days of violence across Canada and led to multiple arrests.
The Daily Beast
Trump Dines With Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago After Tariff Threat
Justin Trudeau had dinner with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday evening, after the president-elect threatened steep tariffs on Canada, CNN reported. The Canadian prime minister’s visit, the first by a G7 leader since Trump’s victory, came after Trudeau described how he intends to work with Trump when he’s president once again. “Ultimately, it is through lots of constructive, real conversations with President Trump that I’m going to have that will keep us moving forward on the right track for
Yahoo Finance AU
RBA interest rates: Major banks’ predictions ahead of December meeting
ANZ, Westpac and NAB are all in agreement in when the first rate cut could come, while Commonwealth Bank remains the outlier.

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