'No reason to play games': Donald Trump says he won't declare victory early

US President Donald Trump says he won't declare victory unless the outcome of the election is certain, saying there's no reason to "play games".

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Trump campaign headquarters on Election Day.

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Trump campaign headquarters on Election Day. Source: AAP

US President Donald Trump says he will declare himself the winner of the election "only when there's victory".

There has been concern that Mr Trump will declare victory early, before vote counts are definitive, but the Republican president told Fox News there was no reason to "play games".

He told the Fox & Friends program he thought he had a "very solid chance at winning".

A digital US flag on the One World Trade Centre building on Election Day.
A digital US flag on the One World Trade Centre building on Election Day. Source: Maria Khrenova/TASS/Sipa USA

Mr Trump said he believed his large rally crowds during the campaign were the "ultimate poll" and translated into a lot of votes.

The president later predicted victory but admitted he could lose while visiting his campaign headquarters just outside Washington, DC.

"I think we're going to have a great night but it's politics and it's elections and you never know," Mr Trump said during his visit to thank staffers who worked to get him re-elected.

He said his campaign was doing well in states such as Florida, Arizona and Texas, and noted the importance of winning Pennsylvania.

"Winning is easy. Losing is never easy," he said on Tuesday. "Not for me it's not."

Supporters cheered and applauded the president at the Republican National Committee's annex in Arlington, Virginia, after Mr Trump spent days of gruelling campaigning on the road.

"After doing that many rallies, the voice gets a little choppy," Mr Trump said with his now-gravely delivery.

Mr Trump said success would bring unity. He listed what he believed were his accomplishments with the coronavirus and the economy.

The president has invited hundreds of supporters to an election party at the White House on Tuesday night while he watches the results come in.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, SBS



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world