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Has Trump won? Historic return to White House confirmed Has Trump won? Historic return to White House confirmed
(31 minutes later)
Republican Donald Trump will be the next US president - in a victory that secures his historic return to the White House.Republican Donald Trump will be the next US president - in a victory that secures his historic return to the White House.
Projected results in crucial swing states - including North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - have gone in favour of the 78-year-old, who has already served as president once before.Projected results in crucial swing states - including North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - have gone in favour of the 78-year-old, who has already served as president once before.
The race with Democrat Kamala Harris was thought to be on a knife edge, but overnight results showed Trump had secured more than the 270 electoral votes required.The race with Democrat Kamala Harris was thought to be on a knife edge, but overnight results showed Trump had secured more than the 270 electoral votes required.
How did Trump win?How did Trump win?
The race between Trump and Harris came down to results from seven swing states, which, before election day, experts believed either Harris or Trump could win.The race between Trump and Harris came down to results from seven swing states, which, before election day, experts believed either Harris or Trump could win.
On election night, Donald Trump was projected by the BBC's US partner CBS News to win:On election night, Donald Trump was projected by the BBC's US partner CBS News to win:
North Carolina, the first swing state to be projectedNorth Carolina, the first swing state to be projected
Georgia, which Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020Georgia, which Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020
Pennsylvania, which Biden also narrowly won last time aroundPennsylvania, which Biden also narrowly won last time around
Wisconsin, which was also won by Biden in 2020Wisconsin, which was also won by Biden in 2020
Winning in these swing states, combined with Trump's earlier wins in solidly Republican states, would mean he would reach the magic 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency.Winning in these swing states, combined with Trump's earlier wins in solidly Republican states, would mean he would reach the magic 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency.
CBS projected Donald Trump as the overall winner just after 05:30 EST (10:30 GMT).CBS projected Donald Trump as the overall winner just after 05:30 EST (10:30 GMT).
The race was seen by CBS to be very close in other swing states:The race was seen by CBS to be very close in other swing states:
Michigan, where a final result is not expected until the end of WednesdayMichigan, where a final result is not expected until the end of Wednesday
Arizona, where the overall count could take daysArizona, where the overall count could take days
Nevada, where the overall count could also take daysNevada, where the overall count could also take days
Up-to-the-minute results as they happen in every stateUp-to-the-minute results as they happen in every state
When is the official result announced?When is the official result announced?
Trump has already been congratulated by world leaders.Trump has already been congratulated by world leaders.
There were fears that what appeared to be a knife-edge race in many states could complicate the speed at which media outlets projected a winner. Narrow victories could also have meant recounts.There were fears that what appeared to be a knife-edge race in many states could complicate the speed at which media outlets projected a winner. Narrow victories could also have meant recounts.
But the 2024 results arrived in many of the battleground states much more quickly than had been predicted - allowing media outlets to project Trump as the overall winner.But the 2024 results arrived in many of the battleground states much more quickly than had been predicted - allowing media outlets to project Trump as the overall winner.
But it might still take days or even weeks for the detailed final results of the election to be confirmed officially in every state. Some local legal challenges are also possible, even after Trump's victory.But it might still take days or even weeks for the detailed final results of the election to be confirmed officially in every state. Some local legal challenges are also possible, even after Trump's victory.
Follow live election updatesFollow live election updates
Is Donald Trump president yet?Is Donald Trump president yet?
Donald Trump, as president-elect, will be sworn in as president after an inauguration on Monday, 20 January 2025.Donald Trump, as president-elect, will be sworn in as president after an inauguration on Monday, 20 January 2025.
Before that, once every valid vote has been included in the final results, a process known as the electoral college comes into play.Before that, once every valid vote has been included in the final results, a process known as the electoral college comes into play.
In each state a varying number of electoral college votes can be won. It is securing these – and not just the backing of voters themselves – that ultimately wins the presidency.In each state a varying number of electoral college votes can be won. It is securing these – and not just the backing of voters themselves – that ultimately wins the presidency.
What is the US electoral college, and how does it work?What is the US electoral college, and how does it work?
Generally, states award all of their electoral college votes to whoever wins the popular vote, and this is confirmed after meetings on 17 December.Generally, states award all of their electoral college votes to whoever wins the popular vote, and this is confirmed after meetings on 17 December.
The new US Congress then meets on 6 January to count the electoral college votes and confirm the new president.The new US Congress then meets on 6 January to count the electoral college votes and confirm the new president.
After the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede and rallied supporters to march on the US Capitol as Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden's victory.After the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede and rallied supporters to march on the US Capitol as Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden's victory.
Trump supporters gathered outside the US Capitol building on 6 January 2021Trump supporters gathered outside the US Capitol building on 6 January 2021
When have previous presidential election results been announced?When have previous presidential election results been announced?
In the 2020 election, US TV networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until four days after election day, when the result in Pennsylvania became clearer.In the 2020 election, US TV networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until four days after election day, when the result in Pennsylvania became clearer.
In other recent elections, voters have had a much shorter wait.In other recent elections, voters have had a much shorter wait.
In 2016, Trump was declared the winner shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) a few hours after polls closed.In 2016, Trump was declared the winner shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) a few hours after polls closed.
In 2012, when Barack Obama secured a second term, his victory was projected before midnight the same evening of election day.In 2012, when Barack Obama secured a second term, his victory was projected before midnight the same evening of election day.
However, the 2000 election between George W Bush and Al Gore was a notable exception. The race was not decided for five weeks, when the US Supreme Court voted to end Florida's recount. That kept Bush in place as winner and handed him the White House.However, the 2000 election between George W Bush and Al Gore was a notable exception. The race was not decided for five weeks, when the US Supreme Court voted to end Florida's recount. That kept Bush in place as winner and handed him the White House.
How the US presidential campaign unfolded in 180 secondsHow the US presidential campaign unfolded in 180 seconds
Additional reporting by Sam CabralAdditional reporting by Sam Cabral
SIMPLE GUIDE: How to win the electoral college Follow live election day updates as Trump wins
EXPLAINER: What Harris or Trump would do in power Who did each state vote for?
GLOBAL: How this election could change the world Watch: How election night unfolded
IN PICS: Different lives of Harris and Trump What's next for the Trump agenda?
IN FULL: All our election coverage in one place Analysis: Why the US gave Trump a second chance
Are you in the US? Get in touchAre you in the US? Get in touch
Get in touchGet in touch
Are you in the US? Get in touch.Are you in the US? Get in touch.