NUMBER’S UP TRUMP
Biden wins US election as he passes magic total Loser goes golfing.. and refuses to concede. Sad!
Joe Biden was last night working to unite a deeply divided Ameri ca af ter becoming the president-elect and dumping Donald Trump from the White House.
The world and most of the US breathed a huge sigh of relief after the most chaotic, hate-fuelled, lie-filled US presidency came to an end.
The nation, which for the last four years under Trump has befriended murderous dictators at the cost of its allies, felt a sense of renewed optimism wash over itself following a five-day wait for the result.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent warm wishes to Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris.
She said: “I warmly congratulate president- elect Joe Biden and vice president- elect Kamala Harris on their success. Theirs is a historic victory that will be welcomed by progressives across the globe.
“Women and people of colour in particular will feel inspired by the historic nature of vice president- elect Harris’ achievement.
“I welcome the commitment that was so evident in the Biden/ Harris campaign to leadership and multilateral cooperation on the many challenges faced by countries across the world, from Covid-19 to climate change.
“Scotland and America share deep and longstanding bonds of friendship and I look forward to these being renewed and strengthened in the years ahead.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who while Mayor of London spoke disparagingly of the new US leader, also offered his congratulations.
He said: “Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.
“I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities.”
As Biden was anointed leader of the free world, ousted Trump broke away from playing golf to continue his assault on the country’s democracy saying the vote was “illegal” and he had won “by a lot”.
He later issued a bitter statement saying Biden was “rushing to falsely pose as the winner,” and called the race “far from over” adding his campaign’s legal battle will begin tomorrow.
He said: “Beginning Monday, our campa ign wi l l sta r t prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld, and the rightful winner is seated.
“I wi l l not rest unt i l the American people have the honest vote count they deserve and that democracy demands.”
His words came in stark to his successors, who stressed how he now hoped to bring the country together. Biden said: “America, I’m honoured that you have chosen me to lead our great country.
“The work ahead of us will be hard but I promise you this, I will be a president for all Americans – whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.”
Biden was announced president- elect after overturningg a once 600,000-vote deficit in Pennsylvania to take a lead Trump could not come back from.
The Democrat, who at 78 when he is inaugurated in January will be the oldest ever president, received overwhelming support in postal ballots that took days to count as opposed to those cast in person during last Tuesday’s election.
Pennsylvania gave Biden 20 of the Electoral College votes to see him pass the 270 needed. While Trump played golf in Sterling, Virginia, Biden and Harris were putting together a transition team and building his administration.
As he did, he took repeated updates on coronavirus levels that continues to spread unbridled across America setting record numbers of infections on a daily basis and which Trump has claimed in March would “miraculously disappear”.
Biden’s win was met with unplanned street parties across the country as millions celebrated Trump’s defeat.
It was a historic moment for the president- elect.
He first entered the Senate on November 7, 1972, and was declared president 48 years to the day later.
It was a more historic moment for women as Harris became the first to be elected vice-president.
Her victory represents a handful of firsts. Not only is she the first female but also the first woman, the first black woman, the first Indian-American woman and the first daughter of immigrants to be sworn in as vice-president.
It also marks a pivotal moment for America in upheaval, grappling with a long history of racial
injusticeinjustice. Throughout the campaigncampaign, Harris faced both racist and sexist attacks from Trump who refused to pronounce her name correctly.
On Biden being announced the winner, she tweeted: “This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It’s about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let’s get started.”
She also posted a video of the emotional moment she called Biden following his win.
She tells him: “We did it. We did it, Joe. You’re going to be the next president of the United States.”
Rubbing salt in Trump’s wounds, Biden updated his Twitter profile to ‘President-Elect, husband to Dr Biden, proud father and grandfather. Ready to build back better for all Americans.’
His nod to his wi fe Ji l l was particularly symbolic. Throughout the campaign and his life in the Senate, she has been his biggest defender and one of his most trusted advisers.
Trump’s defeat failed to deter him from ramping his unfounded claims the election has been
“stolen” from him amid “voter fraud” anda ‘ election rigging”. Worried Republicans have begun to voice their fears their leader is irrevocably damaging US democracy and have privately urged the president he needs to admit defeat.
But as the US leader – known as “King Kong” by many in the administration – continues to have wild outbursts, no one dares step up to tell him.
Few can speak to the president in such a way, including his two eldest sons, Don Jr and Eric, who are regularly berated by their father.
Republican leaders have pinned their hope on his favourite child and daughter Ivanka but an insider said she too has not yet conceded defeat.
His wife, first lady Melania, is someone Trump is known to listen to but more recent months have suggested her views are far more in line with her husband than thought. Republicans are said to have become increasingly angered by Trump’s chi ldish behaviour, pushing Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell to step in for the good the party.
The “grim reaper” as he is known has already slapped Trump down over the US leader’s election fraud allegations and demands for the count to be stopped.
Vice president Mike Pence is said to be too fearful to tell his boss to stand down.
Bob Dole, who although now 97 years old, once ran for the White House and may be the only establishment Republican who could break through to Trump.
At the White House, thousands turned out to celebrate Biden’s win while Trump supporters stayed away.
The fence around the presidential home was covered with signs reading such things as “loser”, telling him it’s “time to go” and “f*** your fence”.
Another message read “Eviction Notice” which was next to a “Count Every Vote” placard after Trump filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia – and demanded a recount in Wisconsin.
One sign said: “Trump, Tear Down Your Wall. One Hope, One People. United We Stand.”