US election 2020 result LIVE updates: Biden wins presidency, America celebrates
Follow UsStory highlights
- Democrat Joe Biden was declared winner (by US networks) of the US presidency Saturday, defeating Donald Trump and ending an era that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades.
- In his first statement as president-elect, Biden vowed to unite America, and open a war against the novel coronavirus.
- Stay tuned to this space as we bring to you the live and the latest updates from the US.
Sacha Baron Cohen mocks Donald Trump's defeat: 'You’re out of work'
Sacha Baron Cohen and Donald Trump feud is never-ending. The United States 2020 results are announced and Joe Biden takes the United States command by dethroning Trump, and this served as a perfect time for Cohen to take their feud a step forward.
Taking a sly dig at Trump defeat in the election, the 'Borat' actor wrote, ''Donald – you’re out of work and I know I offered you a job. But your performance this past week was tragic and sad, Offer rescinded."
This is sweet!
Looks like Biden found out he had won and was declared president-elect from his grandchildren.
Biden’s grandchildren, watching as his victory was announced on television, rushed to share the news, and his granddaughter Naomi tweeted this picture of the celebration.
Kamala Harris' aunt speaks to WION
Kamala Harris' aunt Dr Sarala Gopalan has only wonderful things to say about her.
"She has always been a nice and caring child. She was fond of everybody. I am very happy and thrilled that she has scripted history. We all are very happy," she told WION, in an exclusive conversation, on Sunday.
Harris has always been vocal about the kind of impact her mother's upbringing had had on her. Dr Gopalan too sees the same streak of rebellion she saw in her sister, Shyamala.
What happens next | AP explains
The transition of power in the US passes through a few steps. News agency Associated Press breaks down what happens next:
-- December 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level
-- December 14: Electors vote by paper ballot in their respective states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-three states and DC have laws or party regulations requiring electors to vote the same way the popular vote goes in the state. The certificates, along with other official papers, are sent by registered mail to various officials, including the president of the Senate
-- December 23: The certificates must be delivered to the designated officials
-- January 6, 2021: The House and Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes. If one ticket has received 270 or more electoral votes, the president of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results.
If neither presidential candidate wins at least 270 electoral votes, the House decides the election, based on the 12th Amendment to the Constitution. If required, the House would elect the president through a majority vote.
-- January 20: The president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day.
Biden's ancestral Irish home celebrates, looks forward to reunion
COVID-19 restrictions may have shut the pubs in the western Irish town of Ballina but that did not stop Joe Biden's ancestral home from celebrating his presidential election victory on Saturday.
Biden's great-great-grandfather Edward Blewitt grew up in the old market town, the birthplace of Mary Robinson, Ireland's first female president. Blewitt emigrated after the Irish potato famine of the 1840s to Biden's birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania, a sister city of Ballina.
A large painted mural of Biden has overlooked the County Mayo town's square for weeks and locals surrounded by American flags and 'Biden/Harris' posters popped champagne on Saturday. One drove a blue Mustang car with the license plate "Biden #1" .
Biden brought his children and grandchildren on an official trip to Ireland in 2016 to learn more about their Irish roots, that also include family in the east coast county of Louth and an ancestral link to Ireland rugby players Rob and Dave Kearney.
UK PM Johnson congratulates Joe Biden, a win that could pose him problems
Britain's Boris Johnson congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidential election on Saturday, although the victory could pose problems for the prime minister because of Biden's vocal concerns over his Brexit policy.
Johnson, dubbed "Britain Trump" by the incumbent Donald Trump, has never met Biden and commentators have suggested he will have to work hard to foster the so-called "special relationship" between the close allies.
"Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement," Johnson said in a statement.
"The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security."
However, Biden's election could pose an immediate difficulty for Johnson, whose government is seeking a trade deal with the European Union.
Biden win sparks brief jubilation for Canada but choppy road still ahead
Canada allowed itself a moment of jubilation on Saturday after Joe Biden's victory in the US presidential election marked the end of four often bruising years with Donald Trump, but the new president`s agenda means that challenges lie ahead.
"I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world`s greatest challenges together," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said shortly after several networks declared Biden the winner.
Trudeau was one of the first world leaders to Tweet his congratulations to the president-elect.
Netanyahu congratulates Biden, 'a great friend of Israel'
Israeli Prime Minister and close Donald Trump ally Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his election victory early Sunday, calling the United States president-elect "a great friend of Israel".
"I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel," Netanyahu wrote on Twitter, referring to Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris.
Netanyahu, whose Twitter account features a picture of himself seated next to Trump, said he and Biden had "a long and warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel."
In a subsequent tweet, Netanyahu thanked Trump "for the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally, for recognising Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights".
Is Biden win a loss for Brazil's 'Tropical Trump'?
Biden's victory is a loss for the man known as the "Tropical Trump," Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose fervent endorsement of the Republican incumbent leaves him isolated abroad and vulnerable at home, analysts say.
As congratulations from world leaders for Biden poured in Saturday, Bolsonaro's silence spoke volumes.
Elected in 2018 and up for reelection himself in 2022, Bolsonaro modeled his political rise on Trump's, and openly admires him.
Known for their shared knack for social media rants and riling up their conservative bases, he and Trump are two of the most visible faces of the new brand of right-wing populist politics that surged onto the world scene four years ago.
A lonely walk home
When Joe Biden was inching closer to a victory, Trump was playing golf.
And he did not concede defeat thereafter. (But you know it already)
How media houses around the world are reacting to Biden win
Media outlets around the world welcomed the victory of Joe Biden over Donald Trump, and hailed the efforts the now president-elect has put in to make his campaign successful.
The front page of The New York Times read 'Biden beats Trump' in bold. The newspaper hailed Biden as 'A President-Elect Shaped by Tragedy and Tradition'.
It said, "Joe Biden has spent his career devoted to institutions and relationships. And those are the tools he will rely on to govern a fractured nation."
Even Trump's supporters are not conceding!
You have to see it to believe it.
THE GALLERY | With guns, flags and tears Trump supporters express anger, disappointment
So this is what happened
US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris addressed America, and thanked its citizens for upholding the virtues of democracy by giving them a convincing victory.
Biden called for unity
Biden spoke about how he was running to heal America and restore its soul.
“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify; who doesn’t see red and blue states, but a United States," he said.
He turned a little religious too. “The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season – a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow, and a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America.”
Biden also very humbly said, “Let’s give each other a chance.”
Harris noted the significance of her being the first woman slated to hold the position
Harris is slated to make history as the first woman, the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent to become vice president.
At the rally, she said, "While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."
Harris also thanked Black women, saying they are "too often overlooked, but so often prove that they are the backbone of our democracy."
Trump files another lawsuit
Trump has refused to concede, and his campaign has filed yet another lawsuit. This time it is in Maricopa county, Arizona.
The lawsuit alleges that poll workers told some voters to press a button after a machine detected an “overvote” that invalidated their votes.
In the lawsuit, the campaign seeks to manually review those ballots.
THIS HAD TO HAPPEN!
Biden is getting all the love and praise for his legendary address as the US president-elect.
Activists especially are remarking on the significance of Biden mentioning 'disability' in his speech. And of course, a task force for coronavirus! SCIENCE!
Fireworks follow
The national address was followed by fireworks display, which included some classic bursts, as well as the Biden logo spelled out with drone lights, and a US map light display.
Biden stood on stage with his family to watch.
Spreading the faith
As he concluded his speech, Biden recited a devotional hymn called “On the eagle’s wings”.
“In the last days of the campaign, I’ve been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau.” he said.
“It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.”
Joe Biden will be the second Catholic person to be president.
Biden to name 'leading scientists' Monday to Covid task force
Biden said his first priority will be developing a plan to contain and recover from the pandemic, promising to improve access to testing and to heed the advice of leading public health officials and scientists.
Biden vowed to name a group top scientists to his coronavirus task force as early as Monday.
"On Monday I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take the Biden-Harris plan and convert it into an actual blueprint that will start on January 20, 2021," he told supporters.
The pledge came in Biden's first speech since being projected as the winner of the presidential election, signaling that he plans to prioritize the pandemic from the outset.
Biden emphasises a message of unity
“Let this grim era of demonisation in America begin to end here and now,” Biden says.
“If we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe this is part of the mandate of the American people, they call on us to cooperate.”
'Time to heal America'
"The Bible tells us for everything there is a season, a time to build, a time to reap, and a time to sow and a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America," Biden says.
'I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide but unify'
Biden says he understands the disappointment. He’s lost before. But now, “Let’s give each other a chance,” he says.
"I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide but unify -- who doesn't see Red states and Blue states, only sees the United States," he adds.
“They delivered us a clear victory,” the president-elect says. “A convincing victory.”
"I owe you everything."
'I am Jill's husband'
“Folks, the people of this nation have spoken,” Biden begins.
"I resolve to build the backbone of this nation again."
"As I said many times before, I am Jill's husband. And I would not be here without her support, without my family's support," he adds.
Harris introduces Biden as 'president for all Americans'
'This is the country of possibilities'
"Every little girl watching tonight should dream, should know this is the country of possibilities," Harris says.
'Democracy is not a state, it’s not an act'
Harris, the first Black woman and first South Asian American woman to become vice president-elect, began with: “Democracy is not a state, it’s not an act.”
“Protecting our democracy takes struggle, takes sacrifice,” she said. “But there’s joy in it.”
She continued: “We the people have the power to build a better future. And when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election and the very soul of America was at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America.”
Americans chose hope, science and truth, Harris says
"Joe is a healer. His own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose. He is a man with a big hear, who loves with abandon," says Kamala Harris in the historic address.
Harris thanks Americans
She says the US citizens have respected and upheld the democracy.
It's happening!
Vice-president elect is on the dais now. She will introduce Biden.
America is celebrating!
Believe you, us, there is a mini-party at Wilmington rally.
Biden’s lead in Georgia has now climbed to more than 9,000 votes
Regardless of who wins the presidential race in Georgia, Biden has been declared the president. But if Biden does retain his lead there, he’ll be the first Democratic president to win the state in 28 years.
Can Trump challenge the election verdict?
Minutes after US media declared Democrat Joe Biden victor in the tight race for the US presidency on Saturday, President Donald Trump rejected that conclusion, saying he will prove in court that he was the winner.
"The simple fact is this election is far from over," Trump said in a statement.
"Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media."
But experts say Trump has little chance of reversing Biden's win, without having provided the evidence of widespread vote fraud needed to overturn results in several states.
Biden's motorcade arrives
He and Kamala Harris will soon address the nation.
Meanwhile, here's is a list of countries that have reacted and congratulated Biden for his victory
India
UAE
Jordan
Iraq
Bahrain
Sudan
Ethiopia
Honduras
Mexico
Venezuela
Australia
NATO
European Union
Nigeria
Ukraine
Japan
Costa Rica
South Africa
Spain
Greece
France
Germany
Britain
Canada
Ireland
Italy
Egypt
Pakistan
Mexican president says too soon to congratulate Biden
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it was too soon to congratulate Joe Biden and he would wait for "all legal issues" in the US election to be resolved.
"We don't want to be imprudent. We don't want to act lightly and we want to respect people's self-determination and rights," Lopez Obrador, who has had good relations with Trump, told reporters.
“We want to wait for the matter of the election to be legally resolved.”
Wating is “politically prudent,” he said, adding that Trump has been respectful toward Mexico.
Biden to soon address the US and the world
When he addresses the nation for the first time as president-elect, Biden’s central message will be one of unity.
His speech has been written for some time, his advisors say.
'You're fired'
Well, well! Twitter has its own bitter-sweet to bid goodbyes. And it bade farewell to Trump in a way it should have ;)
Former US president Barack Obama, under who Biden served as the vice-president of the nation, extended his warm wishes to the new president-elect.
Wishes pour in
Foreign leaders have offered their congratulations to Biden and Harris.
Lots of firsts
For the next two years, if Nancy Pelosi remains the House speaker, the first and second in line to the presidency will be women.
THERE IS A SAD PART TOO!
Incumbent president Donald Trump has so far refused to concede. In fact, he released a statement saying, “The simple fact is this election is far from over.”
But does he need to concede for Biden to be sworn in as president in January? We are not sure.
THIS ALSO HAPPENED!
Kamala Harris will become the first woman, the first African American and the first Asian American to serve as vice-president.
Yes, it actually happened! Biden is now president-elect
Democrat Joe Biden was declared winner (by US networks) of the US presidency Saturday, defeating Donald Trump and ending an era that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades.
In his first statement as president-elect, Biden vowed to "be a president for all Americans -- whether you voted for me or not."
Crowds took to the streets in major cities across the United States in celebration of Trump's defeat, while key Western allies like Germany, which had a tempestuous relationship with the Republican, quickly congratulated Biden.
Biden was scheduled to deliver an address to the nation at 8:00 pm (06:30 am IST Sunday) from his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.