WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrat Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the apparent 46th President of the United States.
Biden vanquished his Republican foe after a campaign as bitter and divisive as Trump's own presidential term.
Victories in "blue wall" northern industrial states propelled Biden to the White House, where he'll confront America's deep health, economic and social ills.
A win in Pennsylvania sealed his victory after more than three tension-filled days of counting votes.
Record numbers of Americans voted early and by mail, many out of concern about going to polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.
ABC projected Joe Biden would win Pennsylvania Saturday morning; Biden received state's 20 electoral votes, which they projected would push him over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
As of 10:30 a.m. CST, Biden led Pennsylvania with 50% of the vote (3,345,724 total votes), while President Trump had 49% (3,311,310 total votes).
Some have raised questions as to why ABC called Pennsylvania, and therefore the election, for Biden. A statement from the network is below:
With 96% percent of the expected vote counted, Biden has a lead of 30,900 votes over Trump in Pennsylvania. Based on our best knowledge of where there is still remaining vote to be counted, we expect that margin to increase. Because the vote is very close and has not yet been certified, we are not projecting a winner. Instead, we are basing this characterization on actual vote tallies from state and local election officials.
Based on results we have received from election officials in Pennsylvania, ABC News can characterize Joe Biden as the apparent winner in Pennsylvania – a win that makes him President Elect. Based on these numbers and those in other states, Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States.
ABC News can characterize Joe Biden as the apparent winner in Pennsylvania – a win that makes him President Elect. Based on these numbers and those in other states, Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States.
READ MORE FROM ABC: Joe Biden defeats Donald Trump for president in bitter and historic election
Statement by President-elect Joe Biden
"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America. With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It’s time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together."
Statement from President Donald J. Trump
“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor. In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media."
“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election. It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access.
“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.”
- President Donald J. Trump
Statement from Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
This election is about so much more than @JoeBiden or me. It’s about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let’s get started.pic.twitter.com/Bb9JZpggLN
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 7, 2020
Statement from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
“Today marks the dawning of a new day of hope for America. A record-shattering 75 million Americans cast their ballots to elect Joe Biden President of the United States – a historic victory that has handed Democrats a mandate for action.“In President-elect Joe Biden, Americans elected a leader ready on Day One to finally begin to crush the coronavirus so we can safely reopen our economy and schools. In President-elect Biden, the American people delivered a mandate for lower health costs, a mandate for creating bigger paychecks by rebuilding America’s infrastructure, and a mandate for cleaner government that works for the public interest, not the special interests. And in President-elect Biden, they have elected a unifier who values faith, family and community, and who will work tirelessly to heal our nation.“President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris won with a strong margin, and they will have a strong Democratic House Majority by their side. Working together, we have the opportunity to deliver extraordinary progress For The People.”
Statement from President Barack Obama
Congratulations to my friends, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris — our next President and Vice President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/febgqxUi1y
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2020
Governor John Bel Edwards released a statement congratulating President-Elect Biden
"Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory. 2020 has been a long, trying year for our nation and our state, but never has it been more important that we come together as Americans to move forward. I have always been committed to working with our President, regardless of party, in order to best serve the people of Louisiana. This is more important than ever as we continue to recover from three devastating hurricanes and respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. I had the pleasure of working with then Vice President Biden during my first year as Governor when, like this year, Louisiana faced many hardships. I am confident that we will once again overcome the challenges before us, and I look forward to working with him again. I wish President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and their families all the best, and I appreciate the assistance the Trump administration has provided Louisiana during our times of need. "
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