Trump defeats Harris in North Carolina, tight race remains across key battleground states
In a pivotal moment of Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election, Republican Donald Trump claimed victory in North Carolina, edging out Democrat Kamala Harris and inching closer to completing a remarkable political comeback. Edison Research projected Trump’s win in the battleground state, providing a significant boost to his campaign as the final results remained uncertain in six other states, expected to ultimately determine the winner.
As of 11:30 p.m. ET (0430 GMT on Wednesday), Trump had secured 227 Electoral College votes, compared to Harris’ 165. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency, and Trump’s path to that threshold appeared increasingly solid as the night unfolded. Trump was also projected to win Georgia, further narrowing Harris’ path to victory, especially in the critical Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where she was trailing in all three.
Exit polls revealed that Trump’s support had broadened, notably among Hispanic voters and lower-income households, groups that had traditionally leaned Democratic. Trump garnered 45% of the Hispanic vote nationwide, a notable 13-point increase from 2020, though he still trailed Harris by eight percentage points. Voters whose primary concern was the economy overwhelmingly favored Trump, with a 79%-to-20% margin. Additionally, nearly half of voters said their financial situation had worsened since 2020, a group that also strongly supported Trump, with 80% of them voting for the former president.
Stock markets reflected early optimism in Trump’s prospects, with U.S. stock futures, the dollar, and Treasury yields all rising, while Bitcoin saw an uptick. However, investors remained cautious, emphasizing that it was too early to draw firm conclusions. “Everyone’s trying to take the few inches of data we’ve got right now and turn it into a mile,” said Alex Morris, president and CIO of F/M Investments.
Trump surpasses 2020 performance
In a notable shift, Trump was outperforming his 2020 results in nearly every region of the country, from suburban Georgia to rural Pennsylvania. By 11 p.m. ET, ballots from more than 1,200 counties—roughly one-third of the country—had been counted, showing a 2-point increase in Trump’s share of the vote compared to the previous election. His improved performance was seen across suburban areas, rural regions, and even in large cities that have traditionally been Democratic strongholds.
The outcome of the Congressional races also hung in the balance. While Democrats faced a narrow path to holding the Senate after a Republican flip in West Virginia, control of the House of Representatives remained uncertain, with both parties scrambling for a majority.
In Florida, a ballot measure aimed at securing abortion rights failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to pass, leaving a controversial six-week abortion ban in place. Abortion-related measures were on the ballot in nine other states.
Deepening polarization in U.S. politics
The election continued to highlight the stark divisions within the U.S., with nearly three-quarters of voters expressing concerns that American democracy was under threat. The bitterly competitive race was marred by Trump’s increasingly apocalyptic rhetoric and claims about widespread electoral fraud. Trump took to Truth Social hours before polls closed to accuse Democratic strongholds in Philadelphia and Detroit of “massive CHEATING,” echoing baseless claims from the 2020 election.
Both cities swiftly denied the allegations. “I don’t respond to nonsense,” said Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, while Philadelphia city commissioner Seth Bluestein declared on social media, “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation.”
Trump’s relentless campaign and Harris’ hopes for history
Trump, who faced the unprecedented scrutiny of two impeachment trials and criminal convictions, was watching the results from his Mar-a-Lago estate, with close allies, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, by his side. According to sources, Trump appeared disengaged during a morning meeting on voter turnout, repeatedly asking, “Am I going to win?”
In contrast, Harris, who cast her ballot in California, spent the day campaigning with interviews and visits to key constituencies, including an appearance at her alma mater, Howard University. “To go back tonight to Howard University, my beloved alma mater, and be able to hopefully recognize this day for what it is, is really full circle for me,” Harris told radio listeners ahead of her planned speech.
For both candidates, this election was more than a mere political contest. For Harris, it could mark a historic victory, making her the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American to win the presidency. For Trump, a victory would make him the first president in more than a century to win non-consecutive terms, following his impeachment and criminal charges.
The election night drama was the latest chapter in a contentious, high-stakes race that has kept America on edge for months. As the results from critical battleground states trickle in, the nation braces for what could be another contentious and historic showdown for the White House.
