Election 2024 Live Updates: RFK Jr. on Vaccines

AP Calls Michigan for Trump

The Associated Press declared Michigan for Trump early Wednesday afternoon, adding 15 electoral votes to his count. Trump, who previously won Michigan in 2016 but lost it to Biden in 2020, held a 49.8% lead over Harris, who had 48.3%, with 98% of the vote counted. This raised Trump’s total to 292 electoral votes.

RFK Jr. Says Vaccines Will Remain

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who supported Trump and ran as an independent candidate, shared with NPR that he may be appointed to a Senate-confirmed role. Kennedy, a known critic of vaccines, clarified that he doesn’t plan to remove them but instead wants to promote informed decision-making. The administration, he added, may consider eliminating fluoride from drinking water.

McConnell Praises GOP’s Victory

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated the Trump campaign, praising it as “sharper” this time around and expressing that it’s “a happy day for the GOP.” He emphasized that one of the election’s key outcomes was the preservation of the filibuster.

Nikki Haley’s Congratulations

Former presidential candidate Nikki Haley congratulated Trump on his win, urging Harris to concede. In a social media post, she encouraged Americans to “come together, pray for our country, and support a peaceful transition.”

Harris to Address Election Results

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to address the election outcome in a 4 p.m. speech at Howard University, according to Reuters, breaking her silence on the results.

Stock Market Surge

Wednesday morning saw a surge in stock markets, with the S&P 500 up 1.95%, NASDAQ up 1.79%, and the DOW climbing 3.07%, marking the first 1,000-point DOW increase since November 2022. Bitcoin also reached a new peak.

Russia Reacts to Trump’s Win

In a statement Wednesday morning, the Kremlin noted it has “no illusions” about a Trump victory and reiterated its view that any U.S. administration is “anti-Russian.” The statement notably did not include congratulations for Trump.

No Concession Call from Harris

As of 10:30 a.m. EST, neither Harris nor Biden had contacted Trump, according to Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. However, Harris is expected to call later to formally concede, NBC News reported.

Trump on Track to Win Popular Vote

If results hold, Trump could become the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to win the national popular vote. Though he won the electoral college in 2016, he lost the popular vote by about 3 million in 2016 and 7 million in 2020.

Seven States Strengthen Abortion Rights

Voters in seven states approved ballot measures to protect abortion rights, according to the Associated Press. Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New York all passed initiatives to protect or expand abortion access, while Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota will maintain restrictions.

Border Policies Set to Return

Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller, speaking on “Good Morning America,” confirmed that Trump’s previous border policies would be reinstated on his first day in office. Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced that a large-scale deportation plan would also be a priority.

Canadian Prime Minister’s Congratulations

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended congratulations to Trump, praising the “enduring friendship” between Canada and the U.S. Despite past tensions, with Trump previously labeling Trudeau “weak,” Trudeau highlighted the bond between the nations.

Pro-Russia Leaders Applaud Trump

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian stance, called Trump’s victory a “rejection of liberalism,” while Hungary’s Viktor Orbán hailed it as a “remarkable comeback” and a “global victory.”

Russia’s Reserved Response

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that he was unsure if President Vladimir Putin would congratulate Trump, while also describing the U.S. as “unfriendly.”

Dollar and Treasury Yields Rise

The dollar experienced its strongest increase since June 2016, and 10-year Treasury yields surged 16 basis points, reaching nearly 4.5% Wednesday morning.

Tesla Stock Climbs

Tesla shares surged 12% in pre-market trading after Trump, in his victory speech, praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a “super genius,” acknowledging Musk’s financial and public support.

Missouri Lifts Abortion Ban

Missouri voters overturned a state abortion ban passed after Roe v. Wade was reversed. Amendment 3 will allow abortion access up to fetal viability, with exceptions to protect the mother’s health.

AP Confirms Trump as 47th President

With Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes secured at 5:34 a.m. EST Wednesday, the Associated Press declared Trump the 47th U.S. President, finalizing his path to 277 electoral votes.

Markets Respond to Trump Victory

Early Wednesday saw stock futures rise over 2% for both the Dow and S&P 500, as Trump appeared set for a decisive win.

Trump’s Lead in WI and MI

As of 5 a.m., Trump led Harris by roughly 110,000 votes each in the pivotal swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin, making a Harris win increasingly improbable. Either state would give Trump the 270 votes needed to secure the presidency, although the Associated Press has yet to call a final result due to uncounted ballots in Milwaukee and Detroit.

AP Details Vote Counting Status

The AP noted early Wednesday it hadn’t officially called the 2024 race due to outstanding ballots in Michigan’s Wayne County and Wisconsin’s Milwaukee County. Both counties represent crucial votes for Harris, with 58% counted in Wayne and 69% in Milwaukee, where a ballot recount delayed the results due to mechanical tabulation issues.