"Greatest comeback!": World leaders congratulate Trump on election results
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Republican presidential candidate former President Trump speaks during an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday morning. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
World leaders congratulated former President Trump as Tuesday's presidential election results rolled in, indicating that he'd beaten Vice President Harris.
The big picture: Before AP called the election, Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. PM Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were among those to offer their congratulations to the Republican presidential candidate on Wednesday.
What they're saying:
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was among the first to congratulate Trump, hailing on X what he called his "enormous win" and the "biggest comeback in US political history!" He added it was a "much needed victory for the World!"
Netanyahu also congratulated Trump on the "greatest comeback" on his official prime minister's X account and his personal one:
Zelensky said on X that he recalled discussing with Trump during a September meeting the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, his "victory plan" for Kiev in its war against Putin's invading forces "and ways to put an end to Russian aggression" against his country.
- He said he appreciated Trump's commitment to the "peace through strength" approach in global affairs and looked forward to congratulating him in person.
- "This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together," he added. "We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump's decisive leadership."
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva congratulated Trump Wednesday, wishing the new leadership "luck and success."
- "Democracy is the voice of the people and must always be respected," he wrote on X.
- The country's former president, right-wing leader Jair Bolsonaro, said the victory of his "friend" will empower "rise of the right and conservative movements in countless other nations," adding he hopes it will "inspire Brazil to follow the same path."
Argentina's President Javier Milei — who, like Bolsonaro, has been compared to Trump — congratulated the president-elect on a "formidable electoral victory."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his "heartiest congratulations" to his "friend" Trump in a Wednesday post.
Macron wrote on X that he was ready to "work together as we did for four years," adding: "With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump via X, saying: "Germany and the USA have been working together successfully for a long time to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the benefit of our citizens."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X the EU and U.S. "are more than just allies," they're "bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens," adding: "So let's work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them."
Starmer said in a statement posted to X that he looked forward to working with Trump in the years ahead. "From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the U.K.-U.S. special relationship will continue to prosper."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on X: "Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future."
Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wrote on X that "the American people have triumphed" and he looked forward to working with Trump on a "wide range of issues that will yield mutual benefits for two nations with deep ties, shared beliefs, a common vision."
- He added: "I have personally met President Trump as a young man, so I know that his robust leadership will result in a better future for all of us."
Jordan's King Abdullah II said Wednesday he was looking forward to working with Trump again to "bolster Jordan's longstanding partnership with the United States."
Zoom out: Other congratulations flooded in from the Middle East, with Egypt's leader Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani offering their regards, AFP reported.
- Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also congratulated Trump.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and others from across the globe saluted Trump for his victory.
- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said the alliance between his country and the U.S. will "shine brighter" under the president-elect's "strong leadership."
Go deeper: "Greatest political movement": Trump addresses supporters on Election Night
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from more world leaders.
