"It's over!” shouted one man, turning to hug a stranger. "Fuck Joe Biden!" shouted a young bro in a black Maga hat. "Fuck her!"
The crowd broke into chants of "USA! USA! USA!" - for them, a positive affirmation. For the rest of the world, it may have sounded like the ugly threat of a superpower bully it no longer understands.
This was the scene at Donald Trump's election watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, late on Tuesday and in the early hours yesterday. The unthinkable had happened. Trump, a twice impeached convicted criminal, appeared to have fought his way back to the White House.
"I think that we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America," said JD Vance, a senator now set to be vice-president.
That may well be true. But to at least some of Trump's critics, it will go down as the moment America elected its first fascist president.
The people in the room would scoff at such a description. They welcome Trump's tough stance on immigration and policies they believe will make the economy thrive. They believe Trump has been the victim of Democratic hoaxes and sabotage for years. Now it is payback time.
The party was in a convention centre. Inside a cavernous exhibition hall, a giant "Trump will fix it!" banner hung on one wall with a "Dream big again" one opposite. People chatted, drank and helped themselves to a buffet.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'I constantly just think what if I didn't get Covid?'
Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles on the Paris ups and downs that earneda key rolein thenewseries of Sprint
'adultification' Watchdog calls for of black children by police to end
The police watchdog for England and Wales has called for urgent measures to stop the \"adultification\" of black children by officers, but campaigners have said the revised guidelines do not go far enough.
Plan to halt arms aid
Donald Trump's plan to tap the retired US Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as US envoy to Ukraine and Russia has triggered renewed interest in a policy document he co-authored that proposes ending the war by withdrawing weapons from Ukraine if it does not enter peace talks - and giving even more weapons to Ukraine if Russia does not do the same.
Liverpool fear loss of Konaté and Bradley for City clash
Liverpool could be without the defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley when Manchester City visit on Sunday, with Arne Slot admitting the early signs on the injuries they sustained against Real Madrid are not good.
'Worst experience of my life' Swiatek's positive test leads to one-month ban from tennis
Iga Swiatek, the women's tennis world No 2, has received a one-month ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August.
Hummels ruins Spurs' night with late leveller to delight Ranieri
Tottenham could have no complaints about dropping more points in the Europa League.
Nkunku and Mudryk keep Chelsea flying
Chelsea moved to within one win of the Conference League last 16 with victory in Heidenheim to maintain their perfect start in the competition.
Højlund doubles up to secure Amorim's maiden win after first-half scare
Ruben Amorim received a rapturous welcome from the Old Trafford congregation, then oversaw a helter-skelter victory in his first home as Manchester United's sixth No 1 of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Moshiri pledge over £451m loan if Everton sale drags on
Farhad Moshiri has agreed to convert his £451m loan to Everton into shares if the club have not been sold by the time new Premier League regulations on shareholder loans come into force.
Lampard out to prove critics wrong with Coventry return
Former Chelsea manager was 'outstanding candidate' says club's chairman
