Donald Trump claims 'most incredible victory' in U.S. election history

"It's a political victory that our country has never seen before."

Donald Trump pledged to "heal" the United States after being elected the country's 47th president. 

Under the electoral college system, the Republican candidate's victory in Wisconsin – the same state that confirmed his win in 2016 – pushes him over the 270 votes needed to defeat his Democrat opponent Kamala Harris.

"We're going to fix everything about our country. We made history for a reason tonight," he said. "It is now clear that we've achieved the most incredible political thing."

"This will truly be the golden age of America."

Trump's exuberant speech came despite only Fox News had declared him the winner, but other networks have followed. Counting is still underway at many polling stations.

The result means Trump will be the oldest ever president at the time of inauguration next January, the first convicted felon to hold the office and only the second man in history to serve non-consecutive terms as U.S. President, after Grover Cleveland in the late 19th Century.

European leader reaction

European leaders have also begun congratulating Donald Trump on his election win.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he is "ready to work together" with Trump, while Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country's "unshakeable alliance" with the U.S. would "strengthen even further" with Trump. 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenksyy praised his commitment to "peace through strength," while NATO chief Mark Rutte said Trump's leadership will be "key" amid "a growing number of challenges globally".

Swing states

The election was widely forecast to depend on a handful of swing states, and Trump's vote held strong. 

Wisconsin was one of those key battlegrounds, but he also won in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and claimed 3 out of 5 electoral votes in Nebraska.

Republicans take control of Senate

Besides enjoying Trump's election as President, the Republican party has won control of the U.S. Senate, retaking the chamber for the first time in four years.

It gives the Republicans a major power center in Washington and a lead role in confirming the next president's Cabinet, as well as any Supreme Court justice if there is a vacancy.

Control over the House of Representatives – where the Republicans already held a narrow majority – is still up for grabs, with dozens of seats yet to be called.

"The number of victories in the Senate was absolutely incredible," Trump said.

Kamala Harris campaign official tells supporters she won't speak on Election Night

The co-chair of Kamala Harris' presidential campaign Cedric Richmond told supporters that the Democratic candidate wouldn't speak on Election Night.

Richmond briefly addressed the crowd at Howard University and said votes were still yet to be counted. "We still have states that haven't been called yet," he added.