In the early hours of Wednesday, as former President Donald Trump neared the pivotal 270 Electoral College votes, he took the stage at his Mar-a-Lago resort to declare an early, symbolic victory. Addressing a packed room of supporters, Trump painted his anticipated win as a divine mandate to “restore America to greatness.”
Recalling a July assassination attempt, Trump told his audience, “Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country.” He continued with a call for unity, proclaiming, “Now we are going to fulfill that mission together.”
No major news outlet had officially declared Trump the victor at the time of his speech, yet he remained just a few electoral votes shy of the finish line. Trump’s appearance, muted by his usual standards, opened with congratulations for the GOP’s projected takeover of the Senate. He went on to prematurely claim Republican control of the House as well, despite all 435 seats still being counted nationwide.
Calling his impending victory “a victory like no other,” Trump assured his supporters, “This was something special. And we’re going to pay you back. We’re going to do the best job.” Emphasizing his belief that the night marked a turning point, he added, “This will forever be remembered as the day the American people regained control of their country.”
Trump has long rallied against what he calls a “migrant invasion” and a “deep state” within the government. “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” he said, alluding to his long-held grievances against Washington’s establishment.
The former president also hinted at high-profile members of his prospective administration, beginning with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former independent candidate who endorsed Trump in August. “He would make America healthy again,” Trump remarked, playing off his “Make America Great Again” slogan. Of Elon Musk, Trump offered high praise, calling him a “super genius” and lauding SpaceX and Starlink as symbols of American ingenuity. “We have to protect our geniuses,” Trump said, “We don’t have too many of them.”
The event was punctuated by remarks from several of Trump’s closest allies, including his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who characterized Trump’s comeback as “the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States.”
Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, took the stage to highlight what he called Trump’s perseverance in the face of political adversity. Referring to Trump’s legal challenges, White declared, “This is what happens when the machine comes after you. They couldn’t stop him. He keeps going forward. He doesn’t quit. He’s the most resilient, hard-working man I’ve ever met in my life.”
Concluding his speech, Trump reflected on his journey, calling the moment “karma,” and vowed that his administration would usher in a new chapter for the country.
