Americans are heading to the polls on Election Day after Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump made their final pitches to voters on Monday, the last full day of campaigning.
The Republican chose to close out his final rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with personal attacks on Harris, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and their fellow California Democrat Adam Schiff, as well as his own former White House chief of staff General John Kelly, who recenty labelled him a “fascist”.
Trump, who received a last-minute endorsement from influential podcaster Joe Rogan on Monday, was late on stage and only finished speaking at 2.09am, looking exhausted.
The Democrat, drawning a sharp contrast, was joined in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by celebrities Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Ricky Martin and The Roots while Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera supported her in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas, respectively.
Harris set a joyous tone and emphatically told her supporters for the final time: “We’re not going back!”
The first in-person votes were cast in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, at midnight – a tradition going back almost 65 years – with the town’s six registered voters split evenly between the two candidates.
Key Points
- Kamala Harris vows ‘we’re not going back’ in star-studded final rally with Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey
- Donald Tump attacks Harris, ‘evil’ Nancy Pelosi and ‘dumb’ John Kelly at last rally
- Dixville Notch split evenly between Harris and Trump in very first result
- Trump reveals last-minute endorsement from podcaster Joe Rogan
- Final polls reveal state of the race
JD Vance calls Harris ‘trash’ in final address
13:00
Joe Sommerlad
After Trump tried to turn Joe Biden’s “garbage” gaffe into a campaign stunt last week (the president having said it, if he even did say it, in response to a comedian’s offensive joke at Trump’s rally, don’t forget), garbage-gate came full circle last night in Atlanta, Georgia, when Trump’s running mate rounded out their campaign by saying the only real garbage was Kamala Harris.
JD Vance: "The trash's name is Kamala Harris." pic.twitter.com/8QMtRoSoiV
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 4, 2024
As we’ve seen from the nominee himself, closing on a provocative note was clearly all part of the plan for the Republican ticket.
Here’s Alex Woodward on Trump appearing to reference his notorious Access Hollywood remarks in Raleigh, North Carolina, which almost derailed his campaign in 2016.
Trump’s serves up dark anti-immigration rhetoric in final message to pivotal Pennsylvania
12:45
Joe Sommerlad
Let’s have another look at Trump’s marathon string of rallies yesterday.
In the Keystone State, where he had events in Reading and Pittsburgh, Trump admitted he hoped Green Party candidate Jill Stein would peel votes from Harris and offered more disturbingly violent rhetoric on migrants.
Trump's crowd isn't very into the "young girls being sliced to death with knives by migrants" part of his speech pic.twitter.com/ezlo8Ly1fe
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
Trump: Those Penn state guys, I wanted them to wrestle the migrants. I told the Dana White. I told him to set up his league of champions and a migrant league. I want the migrant to go against the champion. I think migrant might win. That’s how nasty some are pic.twitter.com/4vwwSXSUQz
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 5, 2024
He did belatedly announce a new policy: placing hefty tariffs on Mexican imports unless the US’s southern neighbor did more to stop illegal immigration.
these are desperate lies. If Trump wasn't worried about North Carolina, he wouldn't have held a rally there today. https://t.co/nzAX5yWp5j
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
After that, it was back to dark fantasies about what will happen if Harris wins, a visit from his one-time media enemy Megyn Kelly and then a worrying proclamation that his prospective health and nutrition czar RFK Jr is “so into women’s health”.
Trump is mumbling while the people behind him look bored beyond belief. He's been speaking for more than an hour and a half and still has another rally to go in a different state tonight. pic.twitter.com/HhlzIAsfJL
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
Here he is giving a shoutout to his friend Nigel Farage, a “rebel” who he claimed was the “last big winner” of a British election, which, I would have said, was prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Watch: Trump blasts ‘sick’ critics who question his cognitive skills
12:30
Joe Sommerlad
It’s worth pointing out that, whatever happens this evening, last night’s event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, might have been Donald Trump’s last ever rally appearance after dominating the American political landscape for almost a decade.
Here’s more evidence of him using that moment to deride his enemies, rather than reflect on the wider meaning of it all.
Katy Perry makes last-minute Harris endorsement
12:20
Joe Sommerlad
It was not just Joe Rogan leaving it late to come out for a candidate.
Here’s Roisin O’Connor on Perry backing Harris as she performed for her in Pittsburgh yesterday.
Live: Voting begins in swing states of Michigan and New Hampshire on Election Day
12:10
Joe Sommerlad
In pictures: Voters up early to make their mark in New York City
12:00
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s a little democracy in action for you in the Big Apple.
Oprah Winfrey issues ominous warning about a second Trump presidency at Harris’s final rally
11:45
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s James Liddell with more on the influential media personality’s address to voters on Harris’s behalf in Philadelphia yesterday.
Trump spends final rally hurling insults at enemies. Harris spends hers promising US ‘we’re not going back’
11:30
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s Rhian Lubin on the very different messaging Donald Trump and Kamala Harris offered up in their final addresses of what has been a deeply gruelling election season.
Philadelphia district attorney issues tough message on election interference
11:15
Joe Sommerlad
Take a bow Larry Krasner, who said this yesterday:
“I want people to be reassured that, when they get up tomorrow to go vote — if they have not voted already — that everybody in this city is working and has been working for months to make sure that there will be nothing tough about that experience and nothing to fear in that experience.
“But I also want to be clear. Anybody who thinks it’s time to play militia: Eff around and find out.
“Anybody who thinks it’s time to insult, to deride, to mistreat, to threaten people: Eff around and find out. We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries and we have the state prisons.”
"F around and find out." Philly DA Larry Krasner shared a warning for anyone who planned on trying to intimidate voters on Election Day. Full story and video HERE: https://t.co/6CBgpDqfBT pic.twitter.com/uME7dQLifL
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) November 4, 2024
Taylor Swift shares ‘extremely important’ reminder with fans
11:00
Joe Sommerlad
Listen up Swifties.
Roisin O’Connor has an urgent broadcast from Her Majesty.
What are Harris and Trump doing on Election Day?
10:45
Joe Sommerlad
The candidates are no doubt utterly exhausted from their non-stop campaign schedule of recent weeks but cannot afford to rest on their laurels just yet.
They need to vote themselves (for themselves), for one thing.
According to USA Today, Harris will be spending her day in Washington DC and plans to celebrate election night at Howard University, where she studied political science and economics from 1983 to 1986.
If she wins, the Vice President will be the first American president to graduate from a historically-Black college and university.
Her running mate Tim Walz will meanwhile be in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife Gwen before they head to DC themselves for a Harris-Walz election night event with supporters.
Donald Trump is meanwhile expected to be at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and will host a watch party at a convention centre in West Palm Beach.
You can watch a livefeed of Trump’s return home below.
Final polls reveal state of the race
10:30
Joe Sommerlad
As campaigning comes to an end and the American public prepares to cast its votes on who will be the country’s next commander-in-chief, here’s our data correspondent Alicja Hajopian to take a reading of the very final polls.
First polls open on Election Day
10:15
Joe Sommerlad
Vermont has thrown up the doors of its polling stations and we are underway.
Here’s some late polling from the Green Mountain State.
.@UNHSurveyCenter Vermont 2024 Presidential Election Poll:
— Aron Goldman (@ArgoJournal) November 4, 2024
Kamala Harris 63% (67%)
Donald Trump 31% (27%)
% Favorable/Unfavorable (Net)
Kamala Harris 59/36 (+23)
Donald Trump 30/67 (-37)
10/29-11/2 (8/15-19)https://t.co/kCIH5nSZJt pic.twitter.com/3aGjcvt8FH
Trump reveals last-minute endorsement from podcaster Joe Rogan
10:00
Joe Sommerlad
The popular podcaster Joe Rogan has endorsed Donald Trump, shoring up the former president’s appeal to young men in the final 24 hours of the election.
In a social media post on Monday night, Rogan – whose podcast The Joe Rogan Experience is widely estimated to be the most listened-to in the world – said his most recent guest Elon Musk had made a “compelling” argument for four more years of Trump.
Io Dodds has the full story.
Watch: Trump tells supporters Harris can’t mathematically win election
09:45
Joe Sommerlad
This is, of course, totally untrue – and what a contrasting final message compared to Harris’s hopeful and joyous outing in Phily.
Donald Tump attacks Harris, ‘evil’ Nancy Pelosi and ‘dumb’ John Kelly at last rally
09:30
Joe Sommerlad
The Republican nominee, looking exhausted and more orange than ever, delivered four rallies in three states yesterday and continued to stray off script and voice violent revenge fantasies, notably at his final event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the same city in which he ended his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
Here he is lashing out at Harris, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and their fellow California Democrat Adam Schiff, as well as his own former White House chief of staff General John Kelly, who recenty labelled him a “fascist”.
He needs to donate his brain to science so we can make sure he never happens again https://t.co/CO4XW226Mf
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) November 4, 2024
after trashing Pelosi and more or less calling her a bitch, Trump calls Adam Schiff "pencilneck" an "unattractive" pic.twitter.com/JaLb5hFFOn
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
Trump: When our stupid generals, our terrible generals, the guys that have top like Milley, like Kelly, real losers. Kelly was dumb as a rock. pic.twitter.com/S27Lb339wU
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 5, 2024
He also insulted Detroit again, surely an unwise tactic this late in the game in a vital swing state.
Trump in Michigan on Detroit: "They've been talking about that miracle in Detroit. Well, look, we gotta be honest -- it hasn't happened." pic.twitter.com/QdTSr6A4rC
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
Mike Bedigan reports.
Kamala Harris vows ‘we’re not going back’ in star-studded final rally with Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey
09:15
Joe Sommerlad
Happy Election Day!
Well, we’ve made it. Who knows what happens next.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris concluded her astonishing three-month long campaign with a rousing address in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, last night where she outlined her positive vision for America without once mentioning the name of her Republican challenger.
Kamala Harris: From the beginning, ours has not been a fight against something. It has been a fight for something. A fight for a future with freedom, with opportunity, and with dignity for all Americans. pic.twitter.com/43V2hsOMq2
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
Kamala Harris: "So tonight I ask you one last time: Are you ready to make your voices heard? Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in opportunity? Do we believe in the promise of America? And are we ready to fight for it? And when we fight -- we win!" pic.twitter.com/1WaN71X1r5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2024
Before that, her husband Doug Emhoff paid touching tribute to his wife and Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey urged their audience against complacency, stressing the importance of getting out to vote and making their voices heard.
Second Gentleman @DouglasEmhoff: Kamala was the right person for me in my life and she is the right president for this moment in our nation's history. She brings joy and toughness to every task with that laugh. And she brings her deep experience to every decision, always… pic.twitter.com/FFBJxU6WfK
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
.@ladygaga endorses Kamala Harris: "Today, I'm holding in my heart all the tough, tenacious women who made me who I am. I cast my vote for someone who will be a president for all Americans. Tomorrow, let's make sure all your voices are heard" pic.twitter.com/utTBhpIHIU
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
.@Oprah: Deciding not to decide is a vote to let other people control your future. If we show up for our country tomorrow, then we have the power to choose a leader who sees us. Kamala Harris will do her mighty best to serve all of us pic.twitter.com/pIDnA63zyo
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
The Harris campaign deployed their celebrity supporters further afield too, with Katy Perry doing the honours in Pittsburgh and Christian Aguilera in Las Vegas.
.@KatyPerry endorses Kamala Harris: "Four years ago, I became a mother... She is the reason I am voting for Kamala Harris. I know she will protect my daughter's future and your children's future" pic.twitter.com/P0hVeUnUuz
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
.@xtina endorses Kamala Harris
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
❤️ pic.twitter.com/WAJSwEmQbl
Here’s Alastair Jamieson to set the scene.
Why the election might come down to a Trump campaign meltdown in Pennsylvania — again
09:00
Oliver O'Connell
Richard Hall and Alex Woodward write:
The chaotic final moments of the 2020 presidential election are etched into the memories of every American — especially if they come from Pennsylvania.
After days of counting ballots, lawsuits and protests in the crucial and deciding state, the Trump presidency came to an end in the parking lot of a landscaping company in an industrial suburb of Philadelphia, next to an adult book store, to the desperate cries of Rudy Giuliani.
This year’s race is set to be another nail-biter, and Pennsylvania is the most likely state to decide the result again. So should we expect to see a repeat of that debacle?
The short answer is: Maybe.
Read on...
Federal agencies say Russia and Iran are ramping up influence campaigns targeting US voters
08:30
AP
The nation’s federal law enforcement and election security agencies are debunking two new examples of Russian election disinformation on the eve of Election Day, highlighting attempts by foreign actors to sow doubt in the U.S. voting process and warning that the efforts run the risk of inciting violence against election officials.
In a joint statement late Monday, federal officials pointed to a recent article posted by Russian actors falsely claiming that U.S. officials across presidential swing states were orchestrating a plan to commit fraud, as well as a video that falsely depicted an interview with an individual claiming election fraud in Arizona.
Continue reading...
If Trump wins, Elon Musk wants to gut the federal government — what might that look like?
08:00
Oliver O'Connell
The wealthiest man on the planet is pumping tens of millions of dollars into Donald Trump’s campaign. He owns an influential social media company where he embraces right-wing influencers and conspiracy theories now dominating the platform. He has business interests with China and Russia’s Vladimir Putin’s regime while his companies receive billions of dollars in US government contracts.
And, if Trump is elected, he might steer how the American government spends its money.
Alex Woodward reports.
More than 2 million MAGA hats now on the streets
07:30
Oliver O'Connell
It was a hat slogan that became a movement.
In 2016, Donald Trump introduced campaign merchandise that would arguably become the most well-known political clothing of modern times. Eight years later, the third iteration of the Trump campaign is still selling millions of red “Make America Great Again” hats a year, and sales have just hit a new milestone.
More than 2 million MAGA hats have been shipped out by the Trump campaign since the beginning of 2023 – with more than 1,285,000 of those sold between January and October of this year alone, Trump officials told The Independent.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Watch: Trump again claims stock market going up because people think he’ll win
06:44
Oliver O'Connell
Trump again claims that the only reason the stock market is going up is because people think he is going to win. pic.twitter.com/iqZeRvePge
— Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) November 5, 2024
Ivanka Trump shares 19-post thread on the eve of the election. Not one of them mentions her father
06:35
Oliver O'Connell
On Monday evening, with Election Day just hours away, Ivanka Trump took to X to post a lengthy thread sharing her perspective on “life’s lessons” after recently celebrating her 43rd birthday.
The 19-post collection features quotes from Dolly Parton, Carl Jung and Marcus Aurelius, but one famous name is missing from the list: Ivanka’s father Donald Trump, who voters might soon elect as president.
Josh Marcus reports.
In pictures: Trump speaks at final rally of campaign
06:26
Oliver O'Connell
Illinois man arrested after allegedly punching election judge who told him to wait in line
06:21
Oliver O'Connell
An Illinois man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted an election judge at a township office while early voting was in session.
Daniel Schmidt, 24, allegedly punched an election judge in the face after he was told to wait in line for his turn to vote.
Graig Graziosi reports.
An hour into Trump’s last speech, here’s the scene...
06:20
Oliver O'Connell
An hour into Trump’s remarks in Grand Rapids, MI. Here’s a look at the arena. pic.twitter.com/Hp0VC9PIyr
— Libbey Dean (@LibbeyDean_) November 5, 2024
In pictures: Dixville Notch votes
06:12
Oliver O'Connell
Nate Silver publishes final Silver Bulletin election forecast
06:01
Oliver O'Connell
Nate Silver has published his final Silver Bulletin 2024 presidential election forecast.
He writes:
Happy Election Day! At exactly midnight on Tuesday, we ran our simulation model for the final time in this election cycle. Out of 80,000 simulations, Kamala Harris won in 40,012 (50.015%) cases. She did not win in 39,988 simulations (49.985%). Of those, 39,718 were outright wins for Donald Trump and the remainder (270 simulations) were exact 269-269 Electoral College ties: these ties are likely to eventually result in Trump wins in the U.S. House of Representatives.
As Dixville Notch goes...
It's published.
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 5, 2024
We ran 80,000 simulations tonight.
Harris won in 40,012.https://t.co/vsGVG189Sa
John Oliver fights back tears as he shares endorsement
05:50
Oliver O'Connell
John Oliver fought back tears while sharing his hopes for the result of the US election.
The 2024 presidential election is drawing to a close after a chaotic few weeks that saw Donald Trump widely mocked for a series of viral stunts and many celebrities come forward with their endorsements, including a rather surprising choice from former Republican politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.
On the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, the British-born comedian Oliver, who became a US citizen in 2019, focused his attention on the election with just one day to go, officially revealing he will be voting for Kamala Harris.
Jacob Stolworthy reports.
Trump closing out campaign with misogynistic attack on Pelosi
05:45
Oliver O'Connell
Trump on Nancy Pelosi: She's an evil sick, crazy
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 5, 2024
B -- it start with a B but I won't say it. I want to say it. pic.twitter.com/3eukelYboO
Is this outreach to women voters?
Trump claims only 100 people shows up at Harris rally
05:41
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump makes the odd claim that Kamala Harris only had 100 people at her rally this evening...
Trump: They have no enthusiasm. She had a rally today. She couldn’t have had more than a hundred people there. I had all four stadiums were full. pic.twitter.com/L7XfL4SMNo
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 5, 2024
This one?
Philly is looking like they are ready to elect Kamala Harris as President. So damn beautiful. pic.twitter.com/bvTf6C8mTC
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) November 5, 2024
Rihanna jokes she’s going to ‘sneak into the polls’
05:30
Oliver O'Connell
Rihanna is the latest celebrity to weigh in on the upcoming American presidential election.
The Fenty Beauty founder turned to Instagram on Monday, November 4 to joke about how she would vote in the election using her son’s passport. The “Diamonds” singer was born in Barbados and is not currently a US citizen, meaning she is not eligible to vote.
Brittany Miller has the story.
Harris heads back to DC after final rally
05:27
Oliver O'Connell
.@KamalaHarris leaves Philly for DC with her nieces after wrapping up her final rally pic.twitter.com/E4JJJ7ja5R
— Nandita Bose (@nanditab1) November 5, 2024
RESULT: Dixville Notch split evenly between Trump and Harris
05:23
Oliver O'Connell
The first votes of the 2024 election have been counted in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, the tiny town where all six registered voters go to the ballot box just after midnight on Election Day.
Counted moments later the village is evenly split: three votes for Kamala Harris and three votes for Donald Trump. Four of the voters are registered Republicans and two are undeclared.
In 2020 all five voters went for Joe Biden.
In 2016, there were two votes for Trump, four for Hillary Clinton and one for Gary Johnson.
First votes counted in #Election2024
— Election Results (@Election_Day20) November 5, 2024
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire
2024
Trump: 3
Harris: 3
2020
Trump: 0
Biden: 5
2016
Trump: 2
Clinton: 4
Johnson: 1