US Elections 2024 LIVE: America Votes In Historic Polls To Decide Its Next President

Some of Donald Trump’s advisers have recommended that he consider declaring victory on election night if he’s leading Kamala Harris in critical battleground states like Pennsylvania, although it’s uncertain whether he will follow this advice, sources close to him suggest, as per a report from The Guardian.

Advisers generally believe there’s little risk for Trump in claiming he’s won if he holds a lead of several hundred thousand votes in Pennsylvania or if his internal polling suggests a likely victory, even if results aren’t fully confirmed by Tuesday night. However, some of Trump’s closest and most combative allies—including former White House strategist Steven Bannon, who spoke with Trump last week—have advised him to wait on any declaration if the race appears close by the time he retires for the night, to avoid potential embarrassment.

In the campaign’s final days, Trump and his team have exuded confidence, fueling supporters’ expectations of a win. This approach could contribute to claims of a “stolen” election should Harris ultimately prevail. Any premature declaration of victory may further reinforce this narrative.

Elon Musk will spend the election night with Donald Trump at Mar-a-lago, Florida, according to a report from the New York Times. Musk, who was a Democrat until a few years ago, has played a crucial role in this election. Reports suggest he has spent $119 million in this election cycle, in favor of Trump. 

US President Joe Biden will be following the election results from the White House, along with his senior staff members and key aides. 

Some Republicans have suggested that Biden secretly wants Trump to win, because he is still unhappy with the way he was treated by his own party. 

The Democratic nominee is expected to make a public appearance later tonight (US EST) at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she will address supporters at her alma mater. 

After a busy day of campaigning in Pennsylvania, Harris returned to her residence, the Naval Observatory in DC,  just hours before polls opened early Tuesday morning.

Throughout the day, Harris is expected to participate in a series of last-minute “Get Out The Vote” calls to radio stations, aiming to reach Americans on their commutes who are yet to vote. Her campaign confirmed that so far, she has made calls to stations in three key battleground states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, with additional calls planned.

When asked about her top priority if elected, Harris emphasized reducing the cost of living, a central concern for voters this election season. She mentioned her economic proposals on housing, healthcare, and the child tax credit during an interview on NewsRadio KDKA, and highlighted immigration reform as another critical area, acknowledging the challenges previous presidents have faced with this issue.

Millions of Americans are casting their vote today. Millions already have. Whoever wins, one of the most important stories of this election cycle has been the role Elon Musk has played. In general, the ultra-wealthy in America donate their money to a candidate they want to win, fund a PAC and that is about it. However, Elon Musk has played a more active role, than perhaps any other ultra-wealthy American.

Until a few years ago, Musk used to be a Democrat. However, times have changed. Just a day before the Election Day, Musk recorded a podcast with Joe Rogan, and urged people to go out and vote for Trump. He made the case for Trump by arguing that US won’t be a real democracy anymore if Democrats win, because they will move illegal aliens to the swing states, which will ensure that Democrats win the swing state in every election, effectively ending democracy in America. 

Musk has also played a key role in the swing state of Pennsylvania, which is a crucial state. He has been overseeing the GOP’s ground game in the state. Whether his efforts will bear fruit, remains to be seen. 

Voting hours in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, have been extended by two hours following a court ruling, allowing residents more time to vote after an earlier software issue disrupted the process. County commissioners requested an emergency extension, moving the closing time from 8 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST to address concerns that the software malfunction could disenfranchise voters.

Whilst talking to reporters at Palm Beach, Florida, after casting his vote, US President Donald Trump said that he feels “very confident”. He added that “Republicans have shown up in force. I hear we are doing very well”. 

He also said that he wants to “bring everybody in, we want to be very inclusive.”

When Donald Trump was asked if he will tell his voters not to be violent (if the results are not favorable to GOP), he responded by saying “I don’t have to tell them that there’ll be no violence. Of course there will be no violence. I certainly don’t want any violence, but I certainly don’t have to tell [these] great people,” he said. 

He said that his supporters “are not violent people … these are people that believe in no violence.”

Donald Trump arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, along with his wife Melania Trump, to cast his vote. He said he was happy to see the long lines. “This is the best campaign we have run,” he said. 

Donald Trump with his wife Melania Trump | Image: AP