Photo: Reuters

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Euphoric Donald Trump supporters congregated in Florida on election night, anticipating the former president's address following significant victories in the race for the White House. Men in formal suits and women in dresses mingled at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre event, where they interacted with a fervent Trump supporter sporting a leather vest adorned with their political idol's name. Whether attired in formal wear or more relaxed clothing, many attendees donned Trump's iconic red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps.

"I feel like Trump has won this election. This is over, and I feel like the world's about to be much greater," said Moses Abraham, 22. Trump edged closer to victory over Kamala Harris on Wednesday, leaving the Democrat with the slimmest of remaining avenues to prevent him from achieving a remarkable political resurgence.

"This is like 2016. I feel that we are on the same path to win. I feel very optimistic about tonight," said Jo Ann Poly Calvo. "Donald Trump is the perfect fit for America."

Florida, situated in the southeastern United States, has evolved into a spiritual sanctuary for Trump as he grapples with a myriad of legal challenges in his native New York. He maintains a residence in the Republican stronghold state at Mar-a-Lago, which also functions as a members' club. While some at the Palm Beach viewing party were visibly anxious about the election's outcome, with Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a tight race according to opinion polls, others were more confident.

Rocco Talarico, 68, wore a "MAGA" cap and a leather vest inscribed with the words "Born to Ride" and "Donald Trump." He expressed confidence in the Republican's victory. "We need that because our country right now has no borders, our crime is bad, our stock market is bad, our gas and food prices are high. Kamala (Harris) did nothing for four years," he said.

Mike McCormack, 50, was even more forthright in his critique of Harris as he awaited the opportunity to hear Trump speak during what could be one of the most pivotal US election nights in recent history. "I don't feel Donald Trump could be outside influenced as much, and I strongly feel that Harris is actually owned and manipulated. I have no faith in her," he told AFP. He also questioned the integrity of the polls, a concern that Trump has frequently raised without substantiation, suggesting a conspiracy by his opponents to deny him the presidency.

"I have some confidence in this election (but) not a whole lot," said McCormack. "There has been some funny things going on. There have been people arrested and convicted for voter fraud. So I don't know."

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