Reactions to the Democratic victory
Kamala Harris.
The vice president-elect can be heard over the phone saying to Biden with visible joy, “We did it, we did it Joe. You’re going to be the next president of the United States.”
"We did it, we did it Joe"
"You're going to be the next president of the United States"
Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris congratulates president-elect Joe Biden after he's projected to win #Election2020https://t.co/OoIexqltf7 pic.twitter.com/8RqikoVeRw
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 7, 2020
Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama issued a statement congratulating Biden and Harris, and their respective spouses. “I could not be prouder,” said the former President. In addition, he described as a “groundbreaking election” that of Kamala Harris, the first woman and African-American vice president of the United States.
Obama urged Americans to trust the election outcome, and that Biden will govern with everyone’s interest at heart, whether or not they voted for him.
Congratulations to my friends, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris — our next President and Vice President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/febgqxUi1y
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2020
Bernie Sanders
“I want to congratulate all those who worked so hard to make this historic day possible. Now, through our continued grassroots organizing, let us create a government that works for ALL and not the few. Let us create a nation built on justice, not greed and bigotry.”
I want to congratulate all those who worked so hard to make this historic day possible. Now, through our continued grassroots organizing, let us create a government that works for ALL and not the few. Let us create a nation built on justice, not greed and bigotry.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 7, 2020
Boris Johnson
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom publicly congratulated the new president-elect on Twitter and recalled that the United States is the UK’s main ally.
Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/xrpE99W4c4
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 7, 2020
Bill Clinton
“America has spoken and democracy has won. Now we have a President-Elect and Vice President-Elect who will serve all of us and bring us all together. Congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on your momentous victory!”
European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also issued a statement congratulating Biden and Harris. She maintained that the European Union and the United States are friends and allies, and that she is eager to work with President-Elect Biden.
Bill Gates
The co-founder of the Microsoft software company and philanthropist, congratulated Biden and Harris and thanked the staff who worked on the elections: “Congratulations to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris. Thank you to the election officials and campaign workers who worked tirelessly to ensure a record number of Americans could cast a ballot and have it counted during such a challenging time for our country,” he said.
Congratulations to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris. Thank you to the election officials and campaign workers who worked tirelessly to ensure a record number of Americans could cast a ballot and have it counted during such an challenging time for our country.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) November 7, 2020
Remarks by Biden, President-Elect of the United States
Shortly after being elected president-elect, Joe Biden added the following to his Twitter presentation: “President-Elect” and “ready to rebuild better for all Americans.”
“America, I’m honored 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.”
America, I’m honored 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. pic.twitter.com/moA9qhmjn8
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 7, 2020
Trump once again proclaims himself the winner, falsely
In another tweet in capital letters, which in social media codes means screaming, Donald Trump again said that he won the presidential election, when an official winner has not yet been proclaimed and while Biden is leading the vote count.
“I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” were Trump’s exact words.
Shortly after it was published, Twitter noted, as on other occasions since last Tuesday, an alert explaining that official sources have not declared a winner.
Other alerts to Trump’s tweets have included “misleading information about the election,” another way Twitter is using to curb misinformation and conspiracy theories after the presidential election.
Cindy McCain: “John would want what’s best for our country”
The late Senator John McCain’s widow, Cindy McCain, again endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. She said her husband would see it as “what’s best for our country.”
“He’s going to make sure that we find common ground. He’s going to bring ethics and empathy back to the office, something that we are sorely in need of now. And like I said before, he’s going to be a president for all people, not just Democrats,” McCain told ABC News on Friday, as ballots continue to be counted in the disputed states.
When asked what her husband would have thought of the election, McCain replied, “I know John would want what is best for our country. What is best for our country is not our party. What’s best for our country is Joe Biden.”
McCain endorsed Biden earlier this year, crossing party lines to back the former vice president who has been a close family friend for years.
Mike Murphy, Republican strategist and former adviser to John McCain’s 2000 presidential bid, joked this week that a blue Arizona “could be Senator John McCain’s revenge.” Other social media users also joked that if Biden wins the state it is because of “McCain’s ghost.”
Republicans divided
Amid repeated and unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud by Trump, Republican Senator Roy Blunt told reporters that “at some point” the White House will have to be able to bring such accusations to court and present the evidence.
“Nor do I think it is unreasonable for…Biden to accept the unofficial result and do what he thinks he should do,” Blunt added.
About 30% of Republicans accept Trump’s claim that he won the election, although a bipartisan majority of Americans do not, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday.
Some high-ranking Republicans voiced support for the president’s unsubstantiated claims. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Fox News: “President Trump won this election, so everyone who’s listening, do not be quiet.”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham told Fox News that he was willing to donate $500,000 to fund Trump’s legal efforts in various states.
According to reports, the Republican National Committee aims to raise at least $60 million to help fund Trump’s legal battles.
But other Republicans in Congress weren’t as excited about a protracted battle and its cost in America if it becomes clear that Biden won the election fairly.
Senator Rob Portman of Ohio echoed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in urging that ballots be counted in accordance with the laws of each state.
He said he hoped a final resolution could be reached as soon as possible.
Sen. Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, knows the agony that defeat can bring. But he criticized Trump for claiming the election was being stolen from him.
“Doing so damages the cause of freedom here and around the world…and recklessly inflames destructive and dangerous passions,” Romney said on Twitter.
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