Joe Biden wins US Presidency

Author: Tara MclaughlinPublished 7th Nov 2020
Last updated 7th Nov 2020

Joe Biden has defeated Donald Trump to win the White House.

The Democrat is projected to win the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, giving him enough electoral college votes.

At nearly 78, Mr Biden would be the oldest president in US history.

He released a statement on Saturday:

"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."

Joe Biden tweet:

'America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country.

The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not.

I will keep the faith that you have placed in me."

But Donald Trump has vowed to launch legal action in a number of states, repeatedly making unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.

He also released a statement on Saturday:

"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."