After a bitter election campaign, US voters have delivered the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, a clear win making him the first person with felony convictions felony to serve as the US president. Republican candidate Donald Trump was declared the winner of the US presidential elections on November 5, 2024, defeating Democrat Kamala Harris. His victory came following wins in the key battleground states of North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
With candidates needing 270 electoral votes to be declared winner, Trump secured a total of 277 votes while Kamala finished with 224.
Trump also declared victory in a speech to his supporters during an address in Florida before elections were concluded. In his speech, he said “We’re going to fix everything about our country. We made history for a reason tonight,” he also promised, “This will truly be the golden age of America.”
World leaders congratulate Trump
World leaders have expressed congratulations to Donald Trump for his victory. Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “historic comeback” for the former US leader, explaining that his return to the White House would “offer a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated “President Donald Trump”, saying he was ready to work with him “with respect and ambition” like “we managed to do for four years.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Donald Trump on his “impressive victory” and said he hoped his presidency would “practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer,”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed Trump’s election victory in a post on X (formerly Twitter) “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration.”
Trump’s charges and sentencing
Former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump found himself in legal hot water in the months leading up to this year’s US election. Trump became the first US president in history with felony convictions in May after he was found guilty in a hush-money case regarding a payoff to Stormy Daniels for the 2016 elections.
As of election day, he had been personally charged with 88 criminal offences in four different criminal cases, including conspiracy to defraud the US and conspiracy against the rights of citizens. Trump is scheduled for sentencing on his 34 felony convictions on November 26, 2024.
Concerns have also been raised on whether his win as President will influence his sentencing. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former top official at the Manhattan district attorney’s office and a CNN legal analyst says, “If he loses the election, I think he gets sentenced to prison. If he wins, I don’t think this goes forward.”
