[LIVE] Harris vs Trump: World await winner on D-day as US Presidential election gets underway

Tuesday November 5, 2024 is the election day in the United States with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris vying to become the next president.

Millions of people will soon head to the polls, which open in some states at 05:00 ET (10:00 GMT).

Harris, who became the Democratic Party candidate after President Joe Biden exited the race, has advocated for abortion rights and pledged to lower food and housing costs for working families

Republican candidate Trump, who survived two assassination attempts this year, has vowed to seal the border and has proposed tax cuts worth trillions

More than 81 million people have already voted in what polls suggest is an historically close election.

Donald Trump took to the stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for his final speech, where he is met by cheers from the crowd.

This is also where he ended his campaigns in 2016 and 2020.

“Doing four of these [rallies] in one day is a little difficult,” Trump said, but added the support he received at each rally has “made it all worth it”.

He went on to ask those in attendance if they’re better off now than they were four years ago, to which crowds at the rally respond with loud boos.

“My message to you, and to all Americans tonight, is very simple: we don’t have to live like this.”

On her part, Kamala Harris delivered her last speech of the campaign in Philadelphia.

She ended her weeks-long run of appearances by reflecting on a campaign she says “brought together people from all corners of the nation, and all walks of life”.

Harris went on: “Ours is not a fight against nothing, but for something… Tonight we finish as we started: with energy, optimism, joy.”

She made a familiar appeal to young and new voters, saying. “To you in particular I say I see your power and I am so proud of you.”

The vice-president knows she will need young voters to back her in big numbers if she is to win Tuesday’s election.

BBC