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America, and the world, is reacting to the news that Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States of America.
Following the news that Mr. Biden was projected to win Pennsylvania and the 20 electoral college votes needed to take the White House, cheers were heard on the streets of New York, Washington DC and other cities.
Van Jones, a CNN political commentator, broke down in tears at the news, saying it was “easier to be a father this morning.”
Follow live updates when Joe Biden becomes president-elect and watch his victory speech on Sky News at 1 a.m.
Congratulations also came to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the first woman to hold one of the two top positions in the White House.
Renee Wilson, 49, of Philadelphia, had COVID in April.
He started campaigning on October 1 and has been working seven days a week for the last fortnight with a team of 500 people.
Between them, more than half a million doors knocked, urging people to support President-elect Biden.
Renne Wilson, 49, was a colporteur for Biden in Philadelphia,
She said, “I’m on cloud nine. This feeling is like I can run a marathon. I feel like a rocker running down the rocky steps right now.
“Kamala has given me the courage to stand up for what is right. You may go through some obstacles, but you will get there.”
“Rain, cold, when it got dark we showed up and knocked on doors and this is our reward.”
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In an election in which cities were strongly in favor of the Democrats and Mr. Biden, it was not a surprise to see people take to the streets and celebrate the outcome of the election.
Jubilant crowds made their way to the White House in Washington DC, where Joe Biden will take office in January after his inauguration.
People gather to celebrate outside the White House in Washington DC
A woman on the streets of Sterling, Virginia, told Sky News: “This is the best day America could have hoped for.”
“We’ve had four years of Trump, we know what the rest of the world thinks of us.
“Now finally, finally, we can start to be great again and take our place in the world.
“The rest of the world can now admire us again.”
Democrats celebrating in Wilmington, Delaware, where Joe Biden plans to speak
A man who was celebrating was asked about President Trump saying he was not done.
The man replied, “It’s over. It’s not the town, it’s not the electoral college.”
“He is not the states, he is not the president of the United States ruling as one.
“It’s interesting that he’s playing golf, probably caught in the sand trap, and this [celebrations] everything is happening.
“So for the United States.”
Victory celebrations are in full swing
Alongside the White House, Washington DC has turned into a spontaneous street party.
Cheers wrestle with the sound of horns and applause as residents react to the news that Joe Biden won the election.
“Get out of our house,” a group yells toward the White House as a huge Donald Trump balloon floats by with two posters they claim to be missing.
Behind them, a line of women pass pots and pans banging on kitchen utensils. They were clearly home when the news broke and they rushed to join in the celebrations.
The Biden / Harris flags flutter in the breeze, as more and more people fill the streets.
Among the crowd is Emily Webb, 31, “I am grateful to have a president who cares about human decency and human dignity for all Americans,” she says.
People celebrate the election of Joe Biden in New York
Law student Hope, 26, adds: “I am very excited to be here today and very relieved that we finally have a president who will respect the constitution.”
Before the official announcement, a few hundred people had gathered in McPherson Square for a rally demanding that Trump stand down.
When Biden’s victory appeared on the big screen, people immediately began to sing, dance and sing.
With tears in her eyes, Janice Jamison told us that she was overwhelmed.
As a gay black woman, she said that the Trump years had been tough, now she was overwhelmed with pride to have the first woman, America’s African vice president elected.
“Finally someone who looks like me in the White House,” he said.
Everywhere we look there are impromptu displays of joy.
In front of us, 3 people hug. They may be friends, but they’re also likely strangers, it’s almost as if Biden’s supporters have been holding their breath and are finally able to relax.
The atmosphere is as much of celebration as of liberation, those who celebrate believe that they have recovered their country after four difficult years.
Jennifer Gold, 56, said: “I am enormously relieved and very tired. I thought that was all I would feel, but it is very exciting to be here.
“This is a great time for some in America. It is so discouraging that 60 million people voted for Trump and I hope we can turn the tide. There is a lot of work to do.”
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Meanwhile, Republicans are furious about the election result.
Donald Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, held a press conference in which he challenged the election results.
One man believes there will be counts across the country in the coming weeks.
Speaking from near the golf course where Trump was standing, the man told Sky News: “We are going to do counts in all the major states that have decided this election.
“States like Pennsylvania and Georgia have been 99% for 48 hours. Everything will be investigated starting Monday.”
