US election recap: Exit polls reveal who voted for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris presidency

The Nightly
Broadly speaking, Donald Trump won over the voters he was always meant to. But one group got behind him in an unexpected way.
Broadly speaking, Donald Trump won over the voters he was always meant to. But one group got behind him in an unexpected way. Credit: The Nightly

Donald Trump has been elected President of the US for a second non-consecutive term. Recap a huge week in politics by scrolling through the posts below.

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As election week draws to a close, so too does The Nightly’s live blog.

If you’re just joining us, feel free to scroll through the posts below to recap a huge week in world politics.

Thank you for joining us throughout the week as we witnessed an historic election result and the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

Our coverage of US politics doesn’t end here though.

Stay tuned to The Nightly for all the latest news and updates on the incoming Trump Government and don’t forget to download your free edition of The Nightly every weeknight from 6pm AEDT.

Elisia Seeber

Anthony Albanese declares Australia and America ‘true friends’

“Australia and America are old allies and we are true friends,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.

“Our Government will work closely with the new Trump Administration to realise the benefits of our strong economic partnership.

“The United States has long played a leadership role in the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific. Australia will strive to strengthen the cooperation between our two nations in the region.

“I look forward to talking with President Trump and working with him in the best interests of both our nations.”

Elisia Seeber

Zelenskyy says he appreciates Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ mentality

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he appreciates Trump’s commitment to “peace through strength” as the Republican presidential nominee closes in on the electoral votes needed to win the White House.

“I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy on X. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is interested “in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both of our nations.”

“We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership,” said Zelenskyy.

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” he said.

-- Adam Schreck, AP

Elisia Seeber

World leaders congratulate Donald Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Trump on his “impressive victory” and said he hoped his presidency would bring “just peace in Ukraine closer”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “history’s greatest comback”.

French President Emmanuel Macron also posted on X: “Ready to work together as we were able to do during four years. With your convictions and mine. In respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Trump on his “historic election victory”.

“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” he said.

Elisia Seeber

‘I will not let you down’

Trump ended his speech with his most famous phrase, encouraging his loyal supporters to take a journey with him to truly “Make America Great Again”.

“Success will bring us together,” he said. “I’ve seen that. I saw that in the first term when we became more and more successful. People started coming together, success is going to bring us together and we are going to start by putting America first.

“We have to put our country first ... Because together we can truly Make America Great Again for all Americans.”

He told the crowd it was a “great honour” to lead them again.

“I want to just tell you what a great honour this is, I want to thank you,” he said.

“I will not let you down. America will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer and stronger than it ever has been before.”

Before leaving the stage he told his supporters: “God bless you and God bless America. Thank you very much.”

Donald Trump with Melania Trump as he claims victory.
Donald Trump with Melania Trump as he claims victory. Credit: Getty Images
Elisia Seeber

‘The most important job in the world’

In his closing remarks, Donald Trump declared his job would not be “easy” but he would put “every ounce of his energy” into it.

“The task will not be easy but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit and fight that I have in my soul to the job that you have entrusted to me.

“This is a great job, there is no job like this.

“This is the most important job in the world. Just as I did in my first term we had a great first term, my great, great first term.

“I will govern by a simple model. We will keep our promises. Nothing will stop me from keeping my word to you the people.

“We will make America safe, strong, prosperous, powerful and free again.

“I’m asking every citizen all across our land to join me in this noble and righteous endeavour, that is what it is.

“It is time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It is time to unite and we are going to try. We have to try and it is going to happen.”

Elisia Seeber

‘God spared my life’ to save the country

Trump made reference to the two assassination attempts, saying that he believes God “spared” his life to save the country.

Trump survived an assassination attempt on July 13 while speaking at an open-air campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Then, on September 15, there was an alleged second attempt on his life while he was golfing at his Florida golf club.

“We are going to make our country better than it ever has been.,” Trump said.

“I said that many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness and now we are going to fulfil that mission together.

“We will fulfil that mission.”

Donald Trump with a bandaged ear at the Republican convention
Donald Trump appeared with a bandage over one ear days after an attempt on his life. Credit: AAP
Elisia Seeber

‘I will stop wars’

Trump told the crowd he would “stop wars” not start them, speaking of America’s powerful military.

“We have a strong and powerful military and ideally we don’t have to use it,” he said.

“We have no wars, for years we had no wars except we defeated ISIS in record time.

“They said he will start a war I will not start a war. I will stop wars. This is also a massive victory for democracy and for freedom.

“We are going to achieve the most incredible future for our people.”

Elisia Seeber

We are ‘unified’

Trump went on to say his campaign had been historic in so many ways, unifying the people of America.

“We have the biggest, the broadest, the most unified coalition, they’ve never seen anything like it in all of American history,” he said.

“They’ve never seen it, the young and old, men and women, rural and urban and we have them helping us, they were having great analysis of the people that voted for us ... it came from all corners. Union, non-union, African-American, this Hipanic American, Asian American, Arab American. Muslim American, we had everybody and it was beautiful.

“It was a historic realignment, uniting citizens of all backgrounds around a common core of common sense.

“We are a party of common sense, we want to have borders, we want to have security, we want to have things be good and safe, we want great education.”

Elisia Seeber

Dana White revs up the crowd

UFC chief executive Dana White came out on stage and revved up the crowd.

“Nobody deserves this more than him and nobody deserves this more than his family does.

“This is what happens when the machine comes after you, what you have seen the last several years, this is what it looks like.

“Couldn’t stop them, he keeps going forward, he doesn’t quit, is the most resilient hard-working man had ever met in my life.

“He deserves this!”

Elisia Seeber

‘A Star Is Born, Elon!’

Trump spoke about his friendship with billionaire Elon Musk and the impact he has had along with the recent StarLink project.

“A Star Is Born, Elon! Now he’s an amazing guy. We were sitting here tonight. He spent two weeks in Philadelphia and different parts of Pennsylvania campaigning.

“He sent the rocket up two weeks ago and I saw that rocket. I saw it coming down. I saw when it left it was beautiful and shiny white and when it came down it didn’t so pretty, it was going 10,000 mph and it was burning like hell. I said, what happened to your paint job? He said we have never been able to make a paint that can withstand that kind of heat. I saw it turn around and come down. It’s 22 stories tall, it doesn’t look like that. It came down and down and you saw the fire burning.

“I said, ‘Only Elon can do this’.”

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