Donald Trump has declared himself the winner of the American Presidential election, even as votes are still being counted in some swing states.
Trump needs four electoral votes to attain the mandatory 270 needed to be officially declared victorious, and he is reportedly ahead in a number of the battle ground states as counting inches to conclusion.
Addressing crowds in Palm Beach, Florida, he promised the American people a new “golden age”.
In the prematured victory address, covered live by CNN, Trump said: “This was the greatest political movement of all time and now it’s going to reach a new level of importance because we’re going to let our country heal.
“We’ve made history for a reason tonight and the reason is going to be just that. It is now clear that we’ve achieved the most incredible political… I mean look what happened, isn’t this crazy?
“It’s a political victory that our country has never seen before, nothing like this, I want to thank the American people for making me your 47th President and your 45th president.
“Every citizen I will fight for you, for your family and your future. Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body.
“I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve, and that you deserve.
“This will truly be the golden age of America. This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.”
Trump’s premature declaration was predicted by some in Washington D.C.
Independent Senator for Vermont, Bernie Sanders, said that everyone “should be aware” that the Republican could announce an early victory.
Speaking to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, he said: “It’s not ‘what if,’ Kaitlan. It is not ‘what if’ – he will.”
He claimed that Trump would prematurely declare victory, adding: “That is what will happen. … This is why he has got to lose, because this is exactly how you undermine democracy: ‘The only way I can lose is if there’s fraud.’ Well, that means you can’t lose a legitimate election.”
Observers said however that whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump become US President, it will have wide-reaching implications around the world
