Australian election observers have been glued to their screens as Donald Trump claimed a remarkable return to the US presidency.
Shortly after 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, the outspoken Republican took to the stage to declare victory over his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
Previously, American expats and Australian politics junkies had watched from the other side of the world as Americans cast their votes.
As the first polls closed on the east coast of the United States, the crowd began to swell inside a Sydney watering hole late in the morning.
Maggie Donahue arrived first at the Kent Street Hotel and got a prime spot near a screen tuned to CNN.
Donahue, who worked for the US government for six years during the Trump and Biden administrations, had cautious hopes for a Harris victory.
“I was in a federal government building on January 6, 2021,” he said, referring to the date a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol.
Australia Democrats Overseas committee member Amy Saha said she was also quietly “but absolutely optimistic”.
Amy Saha expected a victory for Kamala Harris
Emotions ran high as viewers watched live coverage of the US election at Sydney’s Kent Street Hotel.
Saha wore a star-studded top hat and attendees were able to take photos with a cardboard cutout of Harris at the Sydney event.
The pub served American brand beers and food, including bagels and Buffalo wings, while the steak came with a side of “Freedom fries.”
Ben, who declined to give his last name, shared a bucket of Coors at the back of the Sydney pub and said the beers were “ok” but were not the main focus of attendance.
“We come here to support our president… it’s a Trump victory, unless they fix it, of course,” he said.
Sitting across the table, Dean Thorby said the Republican candidate’s hesitancy on abortion could cost him votes from women, but he still expected a Trump victory.
“Just because he’s a lot more populist, she’s a lot more stupid,” he said.
Shocked American expats and Australian politics junkies reflect on Donald Trump’s second term as US president
Hundreds of people gathered at Sydney’s Kent Street Hotel to watch live election coverage.
In Melbourne, more than 50 people attended an American Chamber of Commerce viewing party.
The Hawthorn Hotel room was in an uproar at 3:00 p.m., when the electoral landscape began to become clearer.
Melbourne resident Gavin, who has business interests in the United States and did not want his last name published, said the results in swing states were breaking Trump’s path.
“I haven’t seen Harris flip a state,” the septuagenarian said with a beer in hand.
Brisbane-based management consultant Emilia Gallo, who has worked for American companies in Asia and was firmly in Harris’ camp, highlighted the ramifications of either outcome.
“This will make us say, ‘Oh my God, what the hell is going on?’ or ‘thank God, they’ve come to their senses,'” he said.
Trump supporters were also among the crowd glued to television screens at the Kent Street Hotel.
A cardboard cutout of Democratic presidential candidate US Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as people gather to watch live coverage of the US election at the Kent Street Hotel.