Photos show Americans' mixed reactions to Donald Trump's sweeping victory in the 2024 election

Talia Lakritz
·4-min read

  • Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

  • Photos from watch parties across the US showed mixed reactions.

  • Harris watch parties turned somber, while Trump watch parties became jubilant.

Former President Donald Trump is headed back to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Trump flipped several key battleground states won by President Joe Biden in 2020 to secure his victory, breaching the "blue wall" and winning the popular vote.

Throughout election night, the mood shifted dramatically at watch parties hosted by Democratic and Republican groups. Photos show the mixed reactions displayed by Americans across the country.

Harris supporters watching from Virginia appeared enthusiastic about early election night results in Pennsylvania.

Harris supporters cheer in Pennsylvania.
An election night watch party in Fredericksburg, Virginia.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

At the election night party in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the crowd appeared jubilant as early Pennsylvania results favored Harris.

At a watch party for Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, the mood began to shift.

Tense Democratic supporters watch election results.
An election night watch party in Scranton, Pennsylvania.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Trump ended up winning Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes. It was a crucial battleground state that was part of Harris' "blue wall" path to 270.

Casey's race to retain his Senate seat was still too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon.

Trump supporters in New York City's Times Square celebrated early favorable results for their candidate.

Trump supporters embrace in Times Square on election night.
Trump supporters in New York City.Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Billboards in Times Square broadcast the election results as they came in.

A few blocks away, pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested both candidates.

A pro-Palestinian protest in New York City on election night.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators on election night in New York City.Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

The protesters held Palestinian flags and signs calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Attendees at an Arizona Democrats watch party in Phoenix covered their eyes as results came in.

Arizona Democrats react sadly to the 2024 election results.
An Arizona Democrats watch party in Phoenix.Ross D. Franklin/AP

The winner of Arizona's 11 electoral votes had not yet been called as of Wednesday afternoon.

A Trump supporter wearing a "Women for Trump" hat celebrated while watching Fox News' election night broadcast in Long Beach, California.

A Trump supporter reacts happily to election results.
An election night watch party in Long Beach, California.Mark J. Terrill/AP

Fox News called the election for Trump hours before other outlets.

Elsewhere in California, Harris supporters appeared despondent at a watch party in San Francisco.

A man puts his face in his hands while watching the election results come in in San Francisco.
A viewer at a watch party in San Francisco.Noah Berger/AP

A man put his face in his hands while watching election results come in.

The Harris campaign's election night event in Washington, DC, took a somber turn as the night progressed.

Harris supporters appear disappointed at 2024 election results at Howard University.
Harris supporters awaited election results at Howard University in Washington, DC.Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The Harris campaign held its election night event at Howard University, Harris' alma mater.

Some attendees began to cry as Harris' path to 270 narrowed.

Harris supporters cry at Howard University on election night.
Harris supporters at Howard University on election night.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

At 1 a.m., the Harris campaign's cochair announced that Harris wouldn't address supporters at the event.

As Trump inched closer to 270, his supporters reacted enthusiastically at a Republican watch party in Wisconsin.

Trump supporters react joyfully at an election night watch party in Wisconsin.
A Republican watch party in Pewaukee, WisconsinALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Trump supporters gathered at a hotel in Pewaukee to watch the results.

Excitement grew at the Trump campaign's election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida.

Two women embracing in celebration.
Trump supporters outside the Palm Beach Convention Center.Evan Vucci/AP

Trump supporters embraced as he won the battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia.

At a Democratic watch party in Las Vegas, Harris supporters held each other as the vice president lagged behind Trump in key swing states.

People react sadly at a Democratic watch party in Nevada.
The Nevada Democratic Party's election results watch party.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

One guest at the watch party, which was hosted by the Nevada Democratic Party, put her arm around another as Pennsylvania was called for Trump.

Fox News projected Trump as the election winner shortly before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, and other outlets followed suit hours later.

Trump supporters celebrate Donald Trump's election victory in 2024.
A GOP election night party in Newport Beach, California.MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes clinched Trump's victory. Trump supporters gathered at an Irish pub in Newport Beach, California, appeared ecstatic.

Trump's election night event in West Palm Beach turned into a victory party.

Trump supporters react to Donald Trump's win in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump supporters celebrated in West Palm Beach, Florida.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Supporters wore red hats and campaign gear as they celebrated Trump's win.

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