Two very different viewing parties are underway in Florida and Washington DC, with supporters of Donald Trump celebrating and supporters of Kamala Harris desperately trying to cling to hope.
There were scenes of jubilation at the Make America Great Again event near Mar-a-Lago, where hopes grew that the former president could cover all seven battleground states.
As positive projections poured in for the Republican candidate, Trump supporters burst into cheers and started dancing, with a video showing supporters in Florida cutting figures to his favorite song YMCA.
Meanwhile, Harris backers looked dejected and even burst into tears as they watched the results come in at the vice president’s alma mater, Howard University, in DC.
Supporters of the Democratic candidate were optimistic as the watch party got underway, but as the evening wore on and Harris’ path to victory narrowed, the atmosphere became dramatically more subdued.
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump react at the site of Trump’s election rally at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach
A supporter of Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump reacts as he watches the early results at the Trump election night site
Supporters react as they watch the returns roll in during an election night watch party for the Republican presidential candidate
Ecstatic Trump supporters clap and cheer as they watch the returns roll in during the viewing party in West Palm Beach
A Harris supporter is seen in tears during the election event at Howard University in Washington DC
Shocked Kamala Harris supporters watched as the unfavorable results poured in
Concerned election observers had their sights set on the televisions at the Harris event in DC
Some Harris supporters even put their heads in their hands as optimism waned
A Harris-Walz supporter grimaces at the projections while attending the viewing party in DC
The dancing stopped and attendees turned their eyes to the large CNN screen mounted outside for the event, some covering their mouths in shock and even burying their heads in their hands.
The watch group fell silent as the VP appeared to be falling behind in key battleground areas.
The Harris campaign then reportedly turned off the sound on the TVs and replaced them with music after a guest on CNN said that tonight felt “more like 2016 than 2020.”
According to reports, dejected supporters began leaving before midnight as the crowd thinned out.
The supporters who remained watched the big screen as they took in the unfavorable expectations for their candidate.
Some were even seen sobbing when news broke that Trump was expected to win key swing states.
Supporters of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump await the results of the 2024 US presidential election during the Election Night Watch party at the West Palm Beach Convention Center
Trump supporters wave MAGA flags near his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida
Your browser does not support iframes.
“We’re still hoping for Pennsylvania,” Makeda Haughton said. ‘This is of course disappointing. Not what I wanted to hear, but I won’t mention it until it’s fully stated.’
Cautious optimism gave way to concern, with many attending the viewing party and heading home to watch the race on TV.
“I feel… a little anxious,” said freshman Amar Zarif.
Meanwhile, there were massive cheers at watch parties across the country as predictions were announced that Republicans would gain control of the Senate.
There is a festive atmosphere at the convention center in downtown West Palm Beach.
The red hat-wearing faithful cheered and drank into the night, with many hoping their candidate would show up to celebrate with them.
They waited excitedly as they anticipated a visit from Trump, who is expected to address the crowd soon.