Donald Trump vows to 'heal the country' as he's confirmed winner of US presidential election

Donald Trump has declared victory in the US Election as he addressed jubilant supporters in Florida.

In his victory speech before he has been officially declared winner, he said: "Look what happened - is this crazy? - thank you to the American people for the privilege of having been elected your 46th president.

"I will fight for you, and your family, and your future - I will fight for you with every single breath in my body."

Speaking to the crowd in West Palm Beach, he described the result as a "great victory for the American people."

He also claimed he had won the popular vote which he failed to do in 2016 and 2020. Joe Biden had led by more than seven million votes, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Trump, 78, addressed his supporters as he was officially declared the winner by NBC News. He defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, in what was predicted to be a close race.

In his victory speech, Mr Trump thanked his family, saying: "I want to thank my beautiful wife Melania. I want to thank my amazing sons and daughters."

His win makes him the first presidential candidate to take the keys to the White House as a convicted felon.

He added: "Winning the popular vote is really nice. It's a great feeling - great feeling of love."

Mr Trump, who has won in the key battleground states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin, also told his supporters: "This will truly be the golden age of America."

The race remains too close to call in three states: Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan.

The Democrat lost Pennsylvania by more than 400,000 votes.

Mr Trump also won Ohio, Texas, Florida and the majority of the Rust Belt, while the Democrat won California, New York, Illinois and most of the South.

The election was expected to be close, with many states looking far closer than they did when Mr Trump defeated Joe Biden in 2020.

The Republican party has held on to the Senate but the House is still in the balance.

Mr Trump's supporters erupted into cheers at his speech.

In his address he told them: "We overcame obstacles that no one thought possible."

He added: "We're going to help our country heal. We're going to help a country that is broken. It's got to be fixed.

"It's a country that's in terrible shape right now, and we're going to help fix it."

Mr Trump doubled down on his promise to crack down on illegal immigration.

He appeared to refer to the assassination attempt on his life in Pennsylvania in July as he said: "For many people, including myself, have been told, many people have said that God saved me for a reason, that God spared my life for a reason.

"And that was to save our country, and to make America great again, and we are going to fulfil that mission."

As the result became clear, Kamala Harris will not deliver a speech to her supporters on Wednesday, her campaign spokesman said.

The vice-president was slated to address supporters at her alma mater of Howard University shortly after the polls closed on Tuesday but spirits became dejected at the realisation that victory may have been out of reach sooner than expected.

Co-chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd: "While the vice-president will have some thoughts to share, it is likely they will not be speaking tonight."

He promised that Ms Harris would return to the auditorium on Howard's campus on Wednesday.

The president and first lady will make a joint appearance, Mr Trump said earlier.

He said the speech will be held in the White House Rose Garden.

After the speech, Mr Trump said he and Mr Pence would go to Capitol Hill to watch the counting of the electoral votes, the final step before a president-elect becomes the 46th president.

Mr Trump said the votes would be counted at the House of Representatives chamber.

The ceremony typically attracts several thousand guests, including members of Congress, diplomats, journalists and ordinary citizens.

The president and first lady have been at a golf club in Virginia since Sunday.