Euphoric celebrations are instantly erupting around the nation as Democrat Joe Biden is officially announced as president-elect, defeating Donald Trump after a nerve-wracking four days of awaiting results. The announcement also marks a historic moment as Senator Kamala Harris is elected as the first Black and first female vice president.
Biden will make history as well, becoming the oldest president after he turns 78 years old at the end of the month, CNN reported.
Social media was quickly flooded with reactions as several news outlets declared Biden as the winner.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who has been spearheading the effort to encourage people to vote, reacted with the popular image of his own championship celebration.
???? @morethanavote ???? pic.twitter.com/n6kmG12H1X
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 7, 2020
Some continued to extol the sure misery that will overtake Trump, noting that he has now lost the popular vote in two presidential races.
The first one-term president in thirty years, and the only one to lose the popular vote twice.
Congrats on making history, @realDonaldTrump.
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) November 7, 2020
Pop star Ariana Grande was among the millions of Americans who literally celebrated with tears of joy.
CRYING @JoeBiden
@KamalaHarris ???????????????????????????? THANK GOD— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 7, 2020
CNN correspondent Van Jones was overcome with emotion as the network announced the news.
Van Jones was emotional talking about Joe Biden becoming the next President of the United States pic.twitter.com/KaqhSR4sHG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 7, 2020
While Trump may still have a hard time accepting the loss, the people had to remind him that he's about to lose his job.
We just have one last thing to say to Trump… pic.twitter.com/3UJgeGlwwP
— teri in new york (@terinewyork) November 6, 2020
As for Harris' historic achievement, it became another reminder of Black women's decades-long fight for freedom.
When Kamala Harris was born, black women still could not vote in America. This is historic. https://t.co/WDiGeRY7TI
— Tom Read (@tom_read) November 7, 2020
While Harris may be the first Black woman to be vice president, she has already sent a message that many more trailblazers will follow in her footsteps.
May her vice presidency cast a giant shadow! pic.twitter.com/wpwSFv8PRQ
— Jeffrey Levin (@jilevin) November 7, 2020
Biden released a message after he was declared the winner.
"America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country," he said. "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
The former vice president, who will face the challenge of a raging pandemic as well as the ongoing fight for social justice, has promised to work together with all Americans to resolve the issues.
"There will not be blue states and red states when we win. Just the United States of America," he said on Wednesday. "We are not enemies. What brings us together as Americans is so much stronger than anything that can tear us apart."
The Pennsylvania native clinched the victory with a boost from his hometown, which put him over the 270 electoral vote. Biden initially trailed in the race, but surged ahead as hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots were counted.
