What to know about the 2024 election results
- President-elect Donald Trump, fresh on the heels of his victory in the presidential election, is already working on staffing up his next administration. His team announced a key hire today, saying co-campaign chair Susie Wiles will be chief of staff.
- President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Rose Garden in his first public remarks since the election and vowed a peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 20. He also encouraged supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris not to lose hope, telling them that while “setbacks are unavoidable, giving up is unforgivable.”
- Harris conceded the election yesterday, imploring her supporters not to despair even as Democrats grapple with her defeat.
- Republicans secured a Senate majority, though three competitive Senate races are too close or too early to call. Control of the House still hangs in the balance.
Virginia governor says he won't join Trump administration in the near term
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has told Trump that he’s committed to serving out his term, and will not be joining the Trump administration in the near-term, according to a source close to the governor.
In an interview with an WWBT, an NBC affiliate in Richmond, Youngkin also said that Trump "knows that I am committed and will continue to serve as governor through my full term."
“I mean, I’m only hired for one term, one four years, and, and when I spoke to him about this, he was very supportive of me finishing the job that I’ve committed to, and I am committed to make sure that we finish this great job that America, that Virginians were so kind to give me," Youngkin added.
Virginia’s laws do not allow governors to seek consecutive terms.
Youngkin’s term in office ends in January 2026. He became the first Republican to win statewide in Virginia since 2009, when he won the governor’s race in 2021.
NBC News reported this year that Trump began building a relationship with Youngkin as part of an effort to flip the state, which NBC News projected was won by Harris, 51.7%-46.5%.
Judge blasts Rudy Giuliani’s ‘farcical’ excuse for failing to turn over assets in defamation case
A federal judge chastised Rudy Giuliani today for offering a “farcical” explanation of why he hasn’t complied with a court order to turn over valuables to former Georgia election workers he defamed after the 2020 presidential campaign.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman made the remark in a New York courtroom after Giuliani’s attorney claimed Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who was an attorney for Trump, wasn’t sure where some of his belongings are.
When Trump returns to the White House for another term, Melania Trump will reprise her role as first lady of the United States for a second nonconsecutive term. Many are looking back at the four years she spent in the White House as an indicator of what a second stint might look like. NBC News’ Kate Snow reports for "TODAY."
Trump team hasn't signed transition agreements with the Biden administration yet, White House press secretary says
The Trump transition team has not yet signed two agreements with the Biden administration for the transition to the new administration, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the daily briefing.
"As of now, the Trump-Vance transition team has not yet entered [into] the agreements with the White House and the General Services [Administration]," she told reporters about the agreements, which are meant to ensure a smooth transition between administrations.
Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, said in a statement this afternoon, “The transition team and GSA are still having conversations regarding the agreement, and we will update you once a decision is made.”
Jean-Pierre said today that Biden’s chief of staff, Jeff Zients, has reached out to the co-chairs of the Trump transition team, Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick, and will “leave that line of communication open.”
“We’re going to be helpful here,” Jean-Pierre said. “We want to have an effective, efficient transition of power.”
NBC News reported in October that both Trump and Harris were supposed to enter into memorandums of understanding (MOUs), or agreements, with the GSA by Sept. 1 and MOUs with the White House by Oct. 1 as part of the transition process.
The Trump campaign missed the deadlines, while Harris’ campaign entered into the agreements in September.
The GSA agreement provides campaigns with access to office space and equipment, information technology and staff assistance from the federal government, while the agreement with the Biden White House requires the submission by the Trump team of an ethics plan.
In a letter sent to Trump and Vance last month, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin, of Maryland, said it appeared Trump could be trying to flout fundraising reporting requirements and rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest in the incoming administration by not signing the agreements.
Trump names campaign manager Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff
Trump today said Susie Wiles will be White House chief of staff in his forthcoming administration, his campaign said.
Wiles, a Florida native, will be the first female White House chief of staff.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaign,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected.”
Biden doesn't plan to pardon his son, White House press secretary reiterates after the election
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated today that Biden does not plan to pardon his son Hunter.
"His son Hunter is also up for being sentenced next month. Does the president have any intention of pardoning him?" a reporter asked today at the White House briefing.
"We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is 'no,'" Jean-Pierre replied.
While the White House has said Biden will not pardon his son, who in June was found guilty on federal gun charges and in September pleaded guilty to all charges in a federal tax case, today's statement was the first time the Biden administration has reiterated his stance since Trump was elected Tuesday.
Hunter Biden is scheduled to be sentenced in both cases in December.
Democrat Eugene Vindman wins House seat in Virginia's 7th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Democrat Eugene Vindman wins the House seat in Virginia's 7th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Vindman drew national attention when he and his brother, Alexander, reported a 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that was at the center of Trump’s first impeachment. (Trump was acquitted.) Vindman will succeed Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who did not seek re-election and decided instead to run for governor next year.
Vindman defeated Republican Derrick Anderson, whom he said he spoke with by phone today.
"While we disagree on many issues, as two US Army Soldiers, we both want to see our country succeed, and I will take our shared desire to put the mission first to Congress and represent everyone in the 7th regardless of who they voted for," Vindman said of his opponent in a statement this afternoon.
White House and DNC hit back at Bernie Sanders' criticism of Democrats
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for saying the Democratic Party had "abandoned" working-class people, writing on X that his remarks were "straight up BS."
In a statement yesterday, Sanders also said that Democratic leadership “defends the status quo” and that “the American people are angry and want change.”
"This is straight up BS," Harrison wrote back. "Biden was the most-pro worker President of my life time. ... There are a lot of post election takes and this one ain’t a good one."
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration “respectfully” disagrees with Sanders’ assessment that the Democratic Party has abandoned working-class people. She cited Biden's union support and the country's low unemployment rates.
"I think you can talk to unions, you could see the jobs that we’ve been able to create to disprove that," Jean-Pierre said at today's White House briefing. "This is a president that cares certainly about the people who do get forgotten, the people who are not able to make ends meet."
A precinct-by-precinct breakdown mapping how Trump won Pennsylvania
Trump’s 2024 victory was powered by an overall voter shift in most places and most demographics compared with 2020 — with a new analysis of precinct data in pivotal Pennsylvania coloring in additional details about how he won.
The NBC News Decision Desk collected and monitored precinct-level vote results in 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, totaling more than 8,300 of the state’s roughly 9,000 precincts. The granular data provides a detailed insight into what was happening neighborhood to neighborhood and block to block in the country’s biggest battleground state.
A tale of two constitutional amendments: In Florida, right to abortion fails, right to fish and hunt passes
Trump's victory Tuesday was powered in part by support from men amid a significant gender gap — and the unofficial results of two ballot questions in Florida provide an interesting contrast.
The amendment aiming to create a right to an abortion before fetal viability or to protect the health of the mother received about 55% of the vote. But in a state that requires 60% to pass a constitutional amendment, it fell short.
Meanwhile, an amendment establishing a constitutional amendment to "preserve forever fishing and hunting" secured 67% of the vote, according to an unofficial tally from the Florida secretary of state's office, leading it to be enshrined into law.
Democrats had been hopeful that energy surrounding the abortion amendment could help them overperform in a state that's been drifting rightward in recent years. Instead, the measure failed, their statewide candidates lost, and one of the only forthcoming changes to the state constitution after this election will be enshrining the right to fish and hunt.
The president of El Salvador says he spoke to Trump
El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said he has spoken to Trump and congratulated him on his victory, adding that they spoke about various topics.
"We had an interesting conversation about his podcast strategy, the bullet that nearly killed him, the incredible people around him, the sometimes harmful effects of U.S. aid funds, Soros-backed NGOs, and our shared commitment to tackling the challenges ahead," he wrote on X.
Bukele attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. Today, Trump told NBC News that he has spoken to "probably" 70 world leaders since he became president-elect.
Fed chair says he won’t resign if Trump asks him to
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said today that he would not resign if Trump asked him to.
Asked whether he would step down amid chatter that Trump’s advisers had suggested he do so, Powell replied, “No.”
Trump nominated Powell as Federal Reserve chairman in 2017 in his first administration.
Powell also said that he is not legally required to leave if he is asked to do so and that his staff had determined that the president lacked the capacity under the law to demote, at will, him or any other Fed governors.
Harris lost running mate Tim Walz's home county in Minnesota
Harris failed to carry the county that was home to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her vice presidential running mate, for 20 years.
Before he was elected governor, Walz lived in Mankato, which is in Blue Earth County. Trump defeated Harris there 49.6% to 48.3%.
In 2020, Biden won the county, beating Trump 50.8% to 46.4%.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says he won't rule out a Cabinet position
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said today that he has not ruled out a Cabinet position in the Trump administration. He also said he has made it clear he’d be ready to serve in any capacity Trump needs in his new administration.
“I’m in public service. I’m not trying to play quiet,” Rubio said in an interview on NBC’s “TODAY” show this morning. “I’m in public service. I like to serve our country.”
Rubio has been coy about what could come next and has said he has not spoken directly to Trump about a potential slot.
“I’m going to work with the Trump administration in whatever capacity they feel is best. I’m not presumptuous to say they’re going to pick me,” he said in an interview on Fox News. “Donald Trump makes that decision, and he makes good decisions about the people that work for him.”
Trump says there’s ‘no price tag’ for his mass deportation plan
President-elect Donald Trump told NBC News on Thursday that one of his first priorities upon taking office in January would be to make the border “strong and powerful.” When questioned about his campaign promise of mass deportations, Trump said his administration would have “no choice” but to carry them out.
Trump said he considers his sweeping victory over Vice President Kamala Harris a mandate “to bring common sense” to the country.
“We obviously have to make the border strong and powerful and, and we have to — at the same time, we want people to come into our country,” he said. “And you know, I’m not somebody that says, ‘No, you can’t come in.’ We want people to come in.”
As a candidate, Trump had repeatedly vowed to carry out the “largest deportation effort in American history.” Asked about the cost of his plan, he said, “It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice. When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag.”
Trump team considering options for attorney general
Former Trump acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker and Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., are both under consideration to be Trump’s pick for attorney general, according to multiple sources familiar with the deliberations.
Three sources tell NBC News that Whitaker is engaged in talks after taking over for outgoing AG Jeff Sessions in November 2018. He remained in the role for four months. Whitaker also served as a Trump campaign surrogate over the last year and recently traveled with Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Two sources told NBC News that Schmitt is also under consideration and has elevated himself as a respected favorite inside of Mar-a-Lago over the last months. Schmitt has traveled on Trump’s plane in recent weeks and appeared on the campaign trail with him, including at Madison Square Garden.
Giuliani says he's open to serving in new Trump administration
As he left court in Manhattan for his defamation trial, Rudy Giuliani said he was open to serving in the new Trump administration.
"I would, if that’s what he wanted. I’m not offering myself for anything, but I would, you know, I’m very dedicated to him. I believe America has been delivered from the worst era we’ve had in terms of suppression of our rights," he said.
He also added that he has spoken to the now president-elect. He did not specify what the two of them discussed, saying that is between him and Trump.
Sen. Rick Scott says he hopes Trump supports his leadership bid
Florida Sen. Rick Scott said in a Fox News interview that he has been talking to Trump and hopes the president-elect will support his bid for Senate majority leader.
“I’m hoping he’ll support me this time. But he’s doing the right thing right now. He won his race, so we’re texting back and forth. So, but, I’m doing everything I can to make sure his agenda gets accomplished,” he said.
An ally of Scott’s, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is also calling on Trump to endorse Scott publicly.
"We've got to do big things. We have to deliver. We need outside-the-box, paradigm-shifting type of thinking in the United States Senate," Johnson said. "Working with President Trump, he's going to need something like Rick Scott."
Scott challenged Mitch McConnell in 2022 for the GOP leader position but received only 10 votes.
On Tuesday, the three candidates including Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Scott will participate in a closed-door candidate forum. The majority leader election is currently scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13, assuming all the Senate races have been decided by then.
Biden believes he made the right decision to withdraw from the 2024 race, White House press secretary says
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at today's press briefing that Biden believes he did the right thing when he decided to drop out of the 2024 presidential race in July.
"The president believes that he made the right decision when he decided to step aside and immediately endorsed the vice president," she said when asked if Biden believes he could have beaten Trump in the general election.
"He believed it was the right thing for the American people," she said.
Asked if he has any regrets, she said, "This was not the outcome that our team had wanted. So are we disappointed? Yes," she said, but added that the White House respects the election outcome and what Americans voted for.
Putin congratulates Trump, says he is ready to hold discussions
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the president-elect on his victory during a rambling hourslong press conference at the Valdai discussion club in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi today.
He said he was open to dialogue and ready to have discussions with Trump, and that Trump's desire to facilitate an end to the crisis in Ukraine "deserves attention."
“I do not consider it shameful for me to call him myself," Putin said. "I just do not do it, because the leaders of Western countries called me almost every week at some stage, until they stopped all of a sudden."
Putin also said he believed Trump was "bullied" during his first term, but commended his behavior during the assassination attempt in July, when Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally.
"He is brave," Putin said. He proved himself, "like a man."
Turning to nuclear weapons, Putin said it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will approach nuclear stability, but that talks on the reduction of nuclear arms should include the U.K.'s and France's nuclear arsenals. Putin has repeatedly raised the specter of using nuclear weapons if Russia were attacked.
Sen. Bob Casey's and Dave McCormick's campaigns both predict outstanding vote will bring them victory
It will be awhile before we know who wins the Pennsylvania Senate race, but the campaigns of both Bob Casey, the Democratic incumbent, and Republican Dave McCormick are projecting optimism about their chances.
Casey’s campaign points to a combination of military and overseas ballots that could still swing his way because those ballots will be accepted until Nov. 12. But the real wild card they are watching are the provisional ballots, especially out of bluer Philadelphia and Allegheny areas.
Allegheny estimates that about 12,680 provisional ballots were cast, and Philadelphia is expected to release its numbers tomorrow, so Casey’s campaign says there could be enough of a margin to put him over the edge.
“We’re buckled in. Our path to victory requires patience,” said one Casey campaign official.
McCormick’s team, meanwhile, believes the number of votes left to count in the Philadelphia area will not be enough to swing the race in Casey’s direction. They said in a statement that they believe a chunk of the outstanding vote is in redder parts of the state that will add to McCormick’s current margins.
The secretary of the commonwealth has until 5 p.m. on Nov. 14 to declare a recount, which would be triggered if a candidate is defeated by half a percentage point or less. At this hour, McCormick’s lead is not large enough to avert a recount. Both campaigns are in legal territory with tight margins that could set off challenges.
Howard University students thank Harris for running
Students at Howard University, Harris' alma mater, thanked the vice president for her run for president. In a video posted to X, many said they were inspired by Harris and that she made them proud.
Harris gave an emotional concession speech at the university yesterday.
Rep. Don Davis wins re-election in North Carolina, NBC News projects
Democratic Rep. Don Davis has won re-election in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District, NBC News projects.
With 91% of the vote reported, Davis beat Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout, 49.5% to 47.9%. Buckhout is a retired Army colonel and combat commander.
It was considered a toss-up race by the Cook Political Report.
The district is in the northeastern part of the state, which borders Virginia. Davis has held the seat since January 2023, and previously served in the state Senate.
Gov. Gavin Newsom says 'California is ready to fight' against 'unlawful actions' by Trump administration
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X that he has called an emergency special legislative session "to protect our state against any unlawful actions by the incoming Trump Administration."
The session, which will begin Dec. 2, will "focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families," his office said.
In his X post, which linked to The New York Times' coverage of his plans, Newsom said "California is ready to fight."
"Whether it be our fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, or climate action — we refuse to turn back the clock and allow our values and laws to be attacked," he wrote.
During Trump's first term in office, his administration was sued by state attorneys general nearly 140 times — about twice the levels of the previous administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
Wall Street reacts to Trump win as Fed weighs interest rate cut
Trump’s victory spurred a surge on Wall Street with the Dow Jones, S&P and Nasdaq reaching record highs. It comes as the Federal Reserve is weighing another interest rate cut with a new administration to consider. NBC’s Christine Romans reports for "TODAY."
Rudy Giuliani addresses why he hasn't surrendered his valuables to two election workers he defamed
Speaking to the press before heading into court in Manhattan today, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani tried to explain why he hasn't surrendered his assets as part of a $146 million defamation judgment involving former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss.
When asked why a lawyer for the two election workers said he had removed the contents of his New York apartment before they were able to go there to seek out some of those assets, Giuliani said, "All the things that were appropriate were there, and the apartment was pretty full with things. So they’re lying completely. Every room had furniture."
Giuliani also claimed that Freeman and Moss are not legally entitled to "a lot" of his assets — for example, his grandfather’s watch, which he said was 150 years old and a “bit of an heirloom.”
“Usually you don’t get those, unless you’re involved in a political persecution," he said. "In fact, having me here today is like a political persecution."
Giuliani also said one of the items he was ordered to turn over — his Mercedes-Benz, which used to belong to Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall — has actually always been in Florida, not New York.
The former mayor rejected the charges against him, saying, "I’m a very honest person. I’ve never broken a law. I’ve lived a life of ethics because I’ve been a prosecutor. You can talk to people that worked for me — I’m obsessive about it. All of these charges are completely false, ridiculously exaggerated."
Giuliani also indicated that he has spoken to Trump, but when asked what they discussed, he only said, "I'm not going to tell you" and laughed.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams says he spoke with Trump
Embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he's been in contact with Trump and hopes the president-elect will lend federal infrastructure help to America's largest city.
"We want to work together with the (incoming) administration to address a lot of our infrastructure issues," Adams told reporters today. "The city must move forward and that's what our goal is to do."
Yes, Trump improved with young men. But he drew young women, too.
At Trump’s election night celebration, a list of alternative media stars with massive followings of young Americans received an impromptu shoutout.
“I want to thank some people real quick: The Nelk Boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von, Bussin’ With The Boys and, last but not least, the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan,” Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts promotion company, said on stage.
The names — shows and personalities that hosted Trump on their programs during the campaign — comprise a who’s who of the most influential shows among young American men. And in an election in which his campaign specifically courted that demographic, the shoutout hinted at what has so far been borne out in exit polling data.
Susie Wiles, Trump’s low-key campaign manager, seen as the front-runner to be White House chief of staff
After helping engineer Trump’s improbable and sweeping victory in the presidential race, Susie Wiles, the president-elect’s unassuming co-campaign chief, is seen as the front-runner to become his White House chief of staff, according to six sources familiar with discussions inside the campaign.
In a world riven by rivalries, advisers credit Wiles’ ability to gain Trump’s respect and corral big personalities. If chosen, Wiles would become the first female White House chief of staff in history.
“She has commanded a ton of respect amongst the staff, as well as loyalty. She doesn’t play games. And she means what she says: On the campaign, she said we are checking egos at the door and held everyone to it,” said one campaign official who, like others in this piece, was granted anonymity to speak candidly or because they were not authorized to speak on the record. “The team of rivals concept did not apply here.”
House leader Hakeem Jeffries contrasts Democrats' election response with Trump and supporters' past ‘election denial’
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., praised Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, today in a statement on the election, calling them "remarkable public servants who ran an inspired campaign focused on lifting people up."
Acknowledging it was still unclear which party will control the House, Jeffries added, "I am proud that the Democratic Party does not believe in election denial. Our Democracy is precious and it involves elevating public trust in our system of free and fair elections, not undermining it."
"We cannot love America only when we win," he said.
Biden calls electoral system 'fair and transparent' and urges respect for election workers
In his first public remarks since the election, Biden also emphasized the integrity of the electoral system and urged respect for election workers, which Trump and his supporters have repeatedly assailed as "rigged" and corrupted.
"I also hope we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system," he said. "It is honest, it is fair and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose."
"I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks, took risks to the outset," Biden said. "We should thank them, thank them for staffing voting sites, counting the votes, protecting the very integrity of the election. Many of them are volunteers who do it simply out of love for their country."
Biden pleads with Harris' supporters not to lose hope
Biden said he took this week's electoral loss in stride and urged Harris’ supporters to keep fighting for their agenda.
“You know, we’re leaving behind the strongest economy in the world. I know people are still hurting, but things are changing. Together, we’ve changed America for the better,” he said.
The S&P 500 closed at 3,852 the day Biden was inaugurated nearly four years ago and opened at 5,947 on today. The jobless rate was last reported at 4.1 percent.
“Now we have 74 days to finish the term, our term. Let’s make every day count," Biden said. "That’s the responsibility we have to the American people. Look folks, you all know it, setbacks are unavoidable but giving up is unforgivable. Setbacks are unavoidable, giving up is unforgivable.”
The nation’s 46th president is set to leave office Jan. 20.
Biden calls his administration's accomplishments 'historic'
Biden celebrated his “historic presidency” in his remarks in the Rose Garden while acknowledging Harris and his supporters were suffering over her loss.
"To all our incredible staff, supporters, Cabinet members, all the people who hang out with me for the last four years — God love me, as my mother would say — thank you so much," Biden continued. "You put so much into the past four years. I know it’s a difficult time. You’re hurting. I hear you and I see you. Don’t forget. Don’t forget all that we accomplished. It’s been a historic presidency, not because I’m president but because what we’ve done — what you’ve done.”
Biden says Jan. 20 will be 'peaceful,' praises Harris for an 'inspiring campaign'
Biden addressed the nation on the outcome of the 2024 race for the first time in remarks in the White House Rose Garden, saying that Harris ran an "inspiring campaign" and that he will assure a peaceful transition of power.
Calling Harris "a partner and a public servant," Biden said, "She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character. She’s a backbone like a ramrod. She has great character, true character. She gave her whole heart effort, and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran."
"Campaigns are contests of competing visions," the president continued. "The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made. I've said many times, you can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbor only when you agree, something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for, to see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans."
Praising the election workers and volunteers who counted ballots across the nation, Biden added, "As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I’ll fulfill my oath and I will honor the Constitution. On Jan. 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.”
Biden to focus on the peaceful transfer of power in his remarks
Biden’s core message in Rose Garden remarks today will be about the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and respecting the Democratic process, a senior White House official who previewed the speech told NBC News.
Biden will make clear that he wants to restore the traditions that were in place before he took office but were not extended to him by then-President Trump when Biden won in 2020.
He will underscore that he already called the president-elect and invited him to the White House, just as then-President Barack Obama did in the days after Trump’s 2016 victory.
Biden will also heap praise on Harris for her “historic campaign” and congratulate her on the race she ran, even if she came up short, the official said.
The president will also vow to work toward a “smooth transition” and say he has already directed his team to ensure that, this official added.
While this is not meant to be a policy speech, Biden will also hint at some outstanding priorities for his last 10 weeks in office, aimed at bolstering the administration’s agenda before Trump takes over, several White House officials said.
A few of those include providing more Ukraine aid, further implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS legislation, and passing a final government spending bill that includes more money for future disasters.
In his last months, Biden also plans to tout the “strength of the economy,” one of the White House officials said, and will attempt to use upcoming foreign trips to amplify that message and stress the importance of coordination with U.S. allies.
Harris urges supporters ‘not to give up’ in concession speech
Harris addressed her supporters following her 2024 election loss and urged her supporters “to not give up.” NBC News’ Monica Alba reports on the vice president’s message for Democrats.
Two out of three: Trump wins both presidential elections despite being significantly outspent
One notable dynamic of Trump's two wins in 2016 and 2024: The campaign that spent and raised less money won.
For all the fundraising records Harris' team broke in her 100-day campaign sprint, her campaign fell short.
Harris' campaign directly raised almost $1 billion and spent $880 million, compared to the Trump campaign's $390 million raised and $355 million spent. And that dynamic transferred to the airwaves too, where Democrats and pro-Democratic groups spent $1.4 billion on ads compared to the pro-GOP side's just under $1 billion.
Trump got outspent heavily in 2016 too, but went on to win. However, Biden outraised and outspent Trump in 2020 on his way to victory then.
Whom might Trump pick for his Cabinet? Here are the contenders
After winning the 2024 presidential election, Trump is now pivoting to working out who his inner circle will be when he returns to the White House with Linda McMahon, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marco Rubio under consideration. NBC’s Hallie Jackson reports for "TODAY."
Trade, Taiwan and now Trump: China braces for a volatile new era in U.S. ties
HONG KONG — We must find a way to “get along,” Chinese President Xi Jinping told Trump in a congratulatory message today — an immediate nod to the long-frayed relations between the rival superpowers, as well as the disruption Trump’s return to the White House might bring.
Trump could inject new levels of volatility into what is often described as the world’s most important bilateral relationship, after an election win that comes at a critical moment for the globe’s two largest economies.
Ties have been at their lowest point in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. But since last year, the Biden administration has taken steps to improve communication and cooperation with Beijing, which is one of Washington’s largest trading partners but is also seen as its main long-term strategic adversary.
In addition to the consequences for the global economy, an increase in U.S.-China tensions would have far-reaching implications for U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region such as South Korea, Japan and Australia.
Trump wins in Alaska, NBC News projects
Trump is projected to win Alaska's presidential contest, besting Harris and securing the state's three electoral votes.
Trump also is projected to win Maine's 2nd Congressional District, which awards a single electoral vote. He also won it in 2020.
Stock market surges after Trump’s election win
Stock markets surged amid the news of Trump’s win, with the Dow Jones logging its best day in two years, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also hit record highs. Editor-in-chief at Investopedia, Caleb Silver, explains why Trump’s win positively affected the markets.
Zelenskyy says he had a ‘productive conversation' with Trump yesterday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a summit with European leaders today that he spoke with Trump yesterday and had a "good, productive conversation."
"Of course, we cannot yet know what his specific actions will be. But we do hope that America will become stronger," he said at the European Political Community summit in Budapest, Hungary. "This is the kind of America that Europe needs. And a strong Europe is what America needs. This is the connection between allies that must be valued and cannot be lost."
In his remarks, Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine's allies cannot yield to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
"Russia started this war not because it needed more territory," he said. "Russia has more land than anyone. They wanted global power, starting with control over Ukraine and then over all of you," he said, adding that Ukraine needs "sufficient weapons" and "not support in talks."
"Hugs with Putin won't help," he said.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would end the war quickly and find a solution that's good for both sides. He didn't explain, however, how exactly he would do that.
Foreign leaders congratulate Trump on 2024 presidential win
After winning the Electoral College and the popular vote, Trump held phone calls with foreign leaders, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Xi Jinping of China who both congratulated him and pledged to work together. NBC’s Garrett Haake reports for "TODAY."
Russian lawmaker jailed for infiltrating conservative groups positive about Trump
A Russian lawmaker who was once jailed in the U.S. for infiltrating politically powerful American organizations to push Moscow’s agenda, told NBC News that she thinks Trump might “do what he promises” when it comes to ending the war in Ukraine.
Maria Butina said in an interview Tuesday that she thought his administration was more likely to focus on the conflict in the Middle East “because that’s the major for the United States.”
However, she said Trump had said he would immediately end the war “and stop financing Ukraine.”
“He has been saying many words for a long time, though I think actually he might this time do what he promises,” she said.
Butina, a former aide to a top Russian official, was arrested and charged with infiltrating politically powerful U.S. organizations to push Moscow’s agenda in July 2018. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the law governing foreign agents operating in the U.S. in the December of that year and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
After returning to Russia, she was elected to the country’s parliament, or Duma, in September 2021.
Butina said that she hoped the new administration would help to thaw relations between Washington and Moscow because “let’s be honest, the countries now are at the cold stage of the Cold War, I mean the U.S. and Russia.”
“It’s not nice,” she added. “It makes everybody worried here in Russia, everybody worried there in the United States. Nobody wants a big nuclear conflict.”
Harris concedes 2024 presidential election with emotional speech
Harris gave an emotional and hopeful concession speech yesterday at her alma mater, Howard University, that moved her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and some supporters to tears. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez reports for "TODAY."
Trump to spend today talking to world leaders, meeting with transition team
Yesterday was a quiet day at Mar-a-Lago mostly spent speaking to world leaders and thinking about the future, a senior Trump campaign official said.
"They were genuinely happy to talk to him and know that he was coming back and he won this big election, and he said things like he had learned lessons," the official said.
Today, he’ll be returning more calls from world leaders — there are a lot.
Also on the agenda today: his first meeting with the transition team, now fully turning his sights to that work.
The campaign official said there have been some growing pains on the transition team which are likely to continue as the work now kicks into high gear. Of transition team co-chairs Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnik — “it’s not a natural marriage," the official said.
He also seems very intent on making good personnel decisions. “He knows that was his Achilles' heel before," the official said.
Trump receives more greetings from across the globe
Trump continued to receive congratulations from across the globe as world leaders pledged to work with the president-elect — all while bracing for potential world-changing policies out of Washington.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged that many elements of U.S.-Europe ties could be different under Trump, but emphasized that Germany will be committed to the transatlantic relationship and noted that the European Union had already taken on more responsibility for security and energy, which are common interests with the United States. He also noted that the U.S. and Europe benefit from their transatlantic partnership, adding in English, “We’re better off together."
Referring to Ukraine's defensive war against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said Trump’s “peace through strength” approach is what “Russia and autocrats understand.” He added, “Congratulations to the American people, and thank you for your support.”
Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry responded to Trump's win by claiming in a statement that Democrats had unleashed "a powerful propaganda campaign" against him and praised Trump for emphasizing "issues of economics and illegal migration that really concern voters, in opposition to the globalist course of the White House."
The statement continued: "We have no illusions about the elected US President, who is well known in Russia, and the new composition of Congress, where the Republicans, according to preliminary data, are gaining the upper hand. The ruling political elite in the United States, regardless of party affiliation, adheres to anti-Russian attitudes and a line to 'contain Moscow.'"
Russia has been identified by U.S. national security officials as running what are among most sophisticated election disinformation efforts.
Beijing declined to discuss Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese-made products. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said: “We will continue to approach and manage U.S.-China relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t contain his glee over Trump’s win, saying in statement: “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!”
Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, told NBC News in a WhatsApp statement that “the election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans, but Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza.”
House battle takes center stage as Trump’s party pursues full control of Washington
Republicans have reclaimed control of the White House and the Senate. Now all eyes are turning to the House of Representatives, which Democrats see as their last line of defense to stop Trump and his agenda.
The fight for the majority comes with enormous stakes.
Will Trump wield a Republican trifecta that’s expected to support his agenda and his demands? Or will he face a House run by Democrats who would serve as a check on his legislative agenda and wield subpoena power to investigate his administration?
With many competitive races still not called, NBC News has not yet projected which party will control the House in 2025. But given Trump’s decisive victory over Harris, House Republicans are feeling bullish about their chances of preserving their slim majority.
Republicans take Senate: What it means for Trump
When Trump returns to the White House, he’ll be supported by a Republican-controlled Senate. While control of the House remains up for grabs, if Republicans take majority there too, it will have massive implications in Washington. NBC’s Ryan Nobles reports for "TODAY."
How Trump won — and how Harris lost — the 2024 election
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Democrats were counting on fed-up women to elect America’s first female president. Instead, dissatisfied men helped return Trump to power.
The president-elect’s two eldest sons helped him pick a running mate who once decried “childless cat ladies,” while his youngest son, Barron, encouraged his father’s pivot to podcasts in an effort to reach other young men, a typically reliably Democratic voting bloc that split evenly this year.
“I think the gender gap is going to be the story of the next 20 years. Truly,” Democratic strategist Caitlin Legacki said. “There are a lot of men who feel like they’re being left behind, that society doesn’t have a place for them. And if we don’t want a civil war breaking out along gender lines, we’ve got to figure that out. That is the biggest widening gap in American society.”
The entire country shifted right, like other Western democracies in the inflationary post-Covid era. And with the electorate in a foul mood, Harris struggled to separate herself from a deeply unpopular incumbent who waited too long to step aside and whose aides had undermined her for years.
Trump, meanwhile, made strides in his promise to assemble a multiracial working-class coalition, winning 45% of Latinos and 55% of Latino men — records for a Republican presidential candidate — while making gains in blue states and pushing his margins among non-college-educated and middle-income voters to new heights, according to NBC News exit polls.
Late-night hosts react to Trump winning presidential election
Late-night hosts Desi Lydic, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and others share their take on Trump’s election victory.
Biden to address the nation today
What Trump’s victory could mean for the future of abortion rights
Trump’s victory in an election in which abortion rights were a heavy focus raises major questions about what might come next for abortion access in the U.S.
During the final stages of his campaign, Trump said he thought states should determine their own abortion policies. But his position on the issue has varied widely — in a March interview, he signaled support for a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks’ gestation and, as president, he supported a House bill that would have banned abortion nationwide after 20 weeks. During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to appoint Supreme Court justices who could help overturn Roe v. Wade. As president, he accomplished that goal and has at times boasted about it.