GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump said Tuesday he feels “very confident” about his chances of defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.
After casting his vote with his wife, Melania, in Florida, Mr. Trump said he had been told that conservatives and Republicans are showing up “in force” and urged his supporters to stay in line as long as it takes to vote.
“Democrats, if they like, they can leave, but I would like the Republicans to stay in line,” Mr. Trump said. “I think we are going to have a very big victory today.”
“I hear we are going very well everywhere,” he said. “Now, I may regret that statement, but I am hearing we are doing very well.”
Mr. Trump visited a local campaign office before returning to this Mar-a-Lago resort to await the results.
On Monday, Mr. Trump leapfrogged among the battleground states, making four stops across North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan, where he closed out his campaign.
Ms. Harris, meanwhile, delivered her closing message in Philadelphia, where she was joined by Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and other entertainers.
On Tuesday, both camps projected confidence that they were well-positioned to win.
Mr. Trump said he believes this is the best campaign he has run, crediting his team of advisors and his focus on immigration.
He said he plans to unify the nation, and derided Oprah and former President “Barack Hussein Obama” as dividers. Ms. Winfrey said if Mr. Trump wins, it could be America’s last free election.
“I think Oprah should be ashamed of herself,” he said.
Responding to a question from the press, Mr. Trump rejected the idea that he needed to urge his supporters against resorting to violence if he loses.
“My supporters are not violent people,” Mr. Trump said. “I don’t have to tell them that there will be no violence. I certainly don’t want any violence.”
Mr. Trump also signaled he would accept the results of the election, after spending the last four years claiming the 2020 election was stolen by President Biden and Democrats.
“If I lose an election, if it is a fair election, I will be the first one to acknowledge it,” he said. “So far, I think it has been fair.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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