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US election: Trump and Biden each claim victory as lawsuits brew

22:05 pm on 5 November 2020

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are each claiming victory in the White House race, even as the final outcome hangs on a razor's edge and both sides ramp up for legal action.

The Trump campaign is challenging vote counts in the critical states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

The BBC projects Biden won Michigan. US media forecast he has won Wisconsin. No result has emerged in Pennsylvania.

Winning all three of these Rust Belt states would make Biden victorious.

Look back at our live coverage for 5 November:

This afternoon Biden said in Wilmington, Delaware: "When the count is finished we believe we will be the winners."

He added: "I will govern as an American president. The presidency itself is not a partisan institution."

The Democratic challenger said his campaign was feeling "very good" about Pennsylvania.

Not so fast, said the campaign of Republican President Trump.

"We are declaring victory in Pennsylvania," said campaign manager Bill Stepien on a press call. "This is not based on gut or feel. This is based on math."

"If we count all legal ballots, we win," he added.

Senior Trump campaign aide Jason Miller said: "By the end of this week it will be clear to the entire nation that President Trump and Vice-President Pence will be elected for another four years."

- RNZ / Reuters