US election: Biden to become President, say reports; Trump reacts
Democratic nominee Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States, according to reports. The Presidential race had initially seemed tight as when the counting of votes had started, however, as officials counted the mail-in ballots, Biden was projected to win the electoral college. Biden—who will turn 78 later this month—is set to be the oldest US President.
AP and CNN call Presidential race in Biden's favor
Biden won the required 270 electoral votes after defeating Trump in Pennsylvania, CNN reported. According to CNN, Biden has won 273 electoral votes. Incidentally, Trump was initially leading in the state. According to the Associated Press, Biden has won 284 electoral votes, winning the election, while Trump has won only 214. The development comes even as President Trump has alleged fraud in the election.
I'm honored that you have chosen me, says Biden
Reacting to the news, Biden said in a tweet, "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," he added, "I will keep the faith that you have placed in me."
You can view Biden's tweet here
Trump alleges fraud in Presidential election
Biden's victory has denied President Trump re-election. However, the President has alleged fraud in the election and has declared himself victorious on several occasions since Election Day. Notably, a lot of Democratic supporters had cast votes through mail-in ballots, which were counted later. An hour before CNN and AP called the election, Trump had tweeted, "I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!"
Trump sued Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia
Trump had also called to stop the counting of votes, as his campaign announced lawsuits in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, and demanded a recount in Wisconsin. Trump has alleged that ballots favoring Biden were illegally cast even after polls closed.
Election far from over, says Trump
In a fresh statement, Trump said the election is "far from over." He said, "We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him—they don't want the truth to be exposed." He alleged his legal observers "were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process" in Pennsylvania.
'Biden wants to count ballots cast by ineligible, deceased voters'
Trump said, "Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated." Alleging that Biden's campaign is counting "fraudulent, manufactured" ballots—cast by "ineligible or deceased voters"—Trump said, "Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room—and then fight in court to block their access."