FLORIDA, USA — As he inched closer to the final electoral college votes needed to win the presidential election, Republican nominee Donald Trump spoke to supporters at a watch party in Florida early Wednesday morning.
Trump tried to put into perspective his campaign, which twice saw him targeted by would-be assassins. Less than four months ago, Trump was grazed by a bullet at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In September, another person was found with a gun on his golf resort in West Palm Beach.
Now, he is set to take the White House for a second time.
"Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason, and that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness ... " Trump said. "The task before us will not be easy, but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit and fight that I have in my soul to the job that you've entrusted to me."
The day started well for Trump, who took an early lead on the electoral map thanks to wins across the southeast and midwest. He took the first battleground state of the day when he was declared the winner of North Carolina at 11:15 p.m.
By the time Trump took the stage, he had also captured Georgia and Pennsylvania, leaving him with only a few states to win to clinch the presidency. He was joined by several members of his campaign staff, members of his family and running mate J.D. Vance, who also spoke to the supporters in attendance.
"Mr. President, I appreciate you allowing me to join you on this incredible journey," Vance said. "I thank you for the trust that you placed in me, and I think that we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America, and under President Trump's leadership, we're never going to stop fighting for you, for your dreams, for the future of your children, and after the greatest political comeback in American history, we're going to leave the greatest economic comeback in American history under Donald Trump's leadership."
If he's able to close out the race, Trump will be the second president in United States history to serve two non-consecutive terms. Grover Cleveland was the first, as he served from 1885-1889 and then again from 1893-1897.
As of 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Trump had 267 of the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidency.
"I will govern by a simple motto: 'Promises made. Promises kept," Trump said. "We're going to keep our promises. Nothing will stop me from keeping my word to you, the people, we will make America safe, strong, prosperous, powerful and free again. And I'm asking every citizen all across our land to join me in this noble and righteous endeavor."
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