Jubilant Donald Trump supporters gathered in Florida on election night, expecting the former president to speak after he secured key wins in his bid for the White House.
Men in formal suits and women in dresses mingled at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre, where they rubbed shoulders with a devoted Trump fan sporting his name emblazoned on a leather vest.
Whether dressed formally or in casual attire, many attendees wore Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps.
“I feel like Trump has won this election. This is over, and I feel like the world’s about to be much greater,” said Moses Abraham, 22.
On Wednesday, Trump moved closer to a potential victory over Kamala Harris, leaving his Democratic rival with a narrow path to block a remarkable political comeback.
“This is like 2016. I feel we are on the same path to win. I feel very optimistic about tonight. Donald Trump is the perfect fit for America,” said Jo Ann Poly Calvo.
Florida, located in the southeastern United States, has become a spiritual home for Trump as he faces legal challenges in his native New York.
He maintains a residence in this Republican stronghold at Mar-a-Lago, which also serves as a members’ club.
While some attendees at the Palm Beach event expressed nervousness about the election outcome, with Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a close race in opinion polls, others were more confident.
Rocco Talarico, 68, wore a “MAGA” cap and a leather vest inscribed with “Born to Ride” and “Donald Trump.”
He expressed confidence that Trump would prevail.
“We need that because our country right now has no borders, our crime is bad, our stock market is bad, and our gas and food prices are high. Kamala (Harris) did nothing for four years,” he said.
Mike McCormack, 50, was even more critical of Harris as he awaited Trump’s appearance on what could be one of the most consequential US election nights in recent memory.
“I don’t feel Donald Trump could be influenced from outside as much, and I strongly believe that Harris is actually controlled and manipulated. I have no faith in her,” he told AFP.
He also questioned the integrity of the polls, a topic Trump has raised repeatedly without evidence, suggesting a conspiracy by his opponents to deny him the presidency.
“I have some confidence in this election (but) not a whole lot. There have been some suspicious things happening. People have been arrested and convicted of voter fraud. So, I don’t know,” said McCormack.
(PUNCH)