UPDATED: Trump wins US elections becoming 47th president

CAIRO – 6 November 2024: Donald Trump won the 2024 US presidential elections after obtaining more than the necessary 270 electoral votes, becoming the 47th president of the United States.

According to the Associated Press, Trump obtained 277 votes, while his Democrat contender Kamala Harris received 224 votes.

Meanwhile, Republicans have won a majority in the US Senate, regaining control over the chamber for the first time in four years.

Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. 

'MAGNIFICENT VICTORY'

Trump declared "magnificent victory" in the elections, stating that "America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate."

On stage in West Palm Beach today, Trump has vowed to fight for the Americans and their future, emphasizing that he will “not rest until we have delivered the strong safe and prosperous America.”

“Every single day, I will be fighting for you and with every breath in my body,” he added.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi congratulated Trump on the triumph, wishing him success in meeting the interests of the American people and expressing aspiration for collaboration with him to establish peace and preserve regional stability.

In a social media post, President Sisi said he looks forward to working together with President Trump on enhancing the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and their friendly peoples.

“The two countries have always provided a model of cooperation and succeeded together in achieving the common interests of the two friendly countries, which we look forward to continuing in these critical times the world is going through,” Sisi added.

Many world leaders including France's President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also congratulated Trump on the presidential triumph.

TURBULENT SITUATION

The current election holds immense global significance, particularly concerning foreign policy approaches of the candidates, Foreign Policy reports.

The victory of either Trump of Harris is anticipated to significantly influence the current worsening turbulence in the world and Middle East amid the Russia-Ukraine war since February 2022 and the Israeli war in Gaza ongoing since October 2023.

Trump's past presidency saw significant pro-Israel moves, with him transfering the US embassy to the contested city of Jerusalem despite global condemnation and officially recognizing the Israeli sovereignty over Syria’s Golan Heights.

Thus, Trump has maintained strong relations with Netanyahu, advocating for Israel's interests.

GAZA WAR, PALESTINIAN STATE

Regarding the war in Gaza, both candidates have urged a swift resolution to the hostilities while expressing solidarity with Israel.

Criticizing the current administration under President Joe Biden, Trump has lambasted what he perceives as insufficient backing for Israel, particularly in terms of military aid.

During a fiery presidential debate with Harris aired on ABC in September, tensions flared as Trump accused his Democrat contender of harboring anti-Israel sentiments, as she advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump criticized President Joe Biden for allegedly restraining Israeli leaders during the Gaza war and failing to show adequate support for their efforts in a presidential debate with Biden on CNN last June.

Trump stated, "You should let them go and let them finish the job."

When asked about his stance on recognizing a Palestinian state, Trump responded, "I will have to see."

UKRAINE WAR

In Ukraine, the US military aid has been pivotal in curbing Russia's advances.

Harris is expected to uphold the Biden administration's stance on supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. However, she remains noncommittal on Ukraine's NATO membership.

In his debate with Biden, Trump said Russia would have never invaded Ukraine if the US had a president “that was respected by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin” at the time.

Asked about Putin’s terms and are they acceptable to him, keeping the territory in Ukraine?, Trump replied "No, they’re not acceptable. But look, this is a war that never should have started. If we had a leader in this war, he led everybody along."

“The money that we’re spending on this war, and we shouldn’t be spending, it should have never happened,” Trump said.

Trump pledged to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis between Putin and Ukrainian President Vladmir Zelenskyy as president-elect before he takes office on January 20th.

“I’ll have that war settled.”