Trump easily captures North Dakota, a victory so expected it was hardly noticed
Trump's supporters were focused on the big prize of reclaiming the presidency
When Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential race in North Dakota early Tuesday night it barely registered a cheer at one of the biggest Republican parties in the state.
The absence of any major celebration shows how expected Trump's victory in the deeply red state would be, but also how Republicans wouldn't be satisfied unless Trump reclaimed the presidency — which he did just a few hours later.
Shortly after the remaining polls in North Dakota closed Tuesday, most Republicans gathering at a private room at a Fargo, N.D., recreational complex seemed too busy talking among themselves and chomping on food to notice Fox News had declared North Dakota's three electoral college votes would go to the former president.
One person later quipped the response from the audience was "less than a golf clap, if that."
"Look around," Ken Tanner, one party attendee, said. "Everybody's talking and having munchies and whatever — and pretty soon it'll start getting serious."
If the night goes well, Tanner said, "it'll get louder and louder and louder."
Jovial mood among Republicans
That's exactly what happened — or at least, the noise didn't dissipate even as some supporters went home early.
Amid the chattering, Larry Weil said he was optimistic enough Americans felt the same way and wanted Trump to return to the White House.
"We're looking at this election being pivotal in going back to some fundamental values in America. We certainly are hopeful that Trump will win."
By midnight Wednesday, Trump was leading Democratic candidate Kamala Harris after taking must-win battleground states of Georgia and North Carolina, but a winner had yet to be declared.
Around 4 a.m. CT, the big five U.S. networks projected a Trump victory, as did CBC News.
Over at the Democratic party headquartered at a Fargo hotel meeting room, the noise level was higher than the Republican party, but only because a DJ was blaring music.
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World," a song from Tears For Fears, was roaring over the speakers, as Scottlyn Schuler slouched in her chair, browsing her phone as federal and state results were sinking in.
"I'm a transgender person, so understanding what's happening in North Dakota and what our next legislature is going to look like, I'm concerned. As a transgender person, nationally if Donald Trump wins, I'm also very concerned," said Schuler, deputy executive director of the Democratic-NPL — which is the name of the party in North Dakota.
Before any swing states had been called, Schuler was holding onto hope some tight races would swing to the Democrats.
That same belief was sustaining Megan Ridl, who was hoping Harris could still find a path to victory.
"I have a hard time believing what I'm seeing right now."
Back at the Republican party, Tanner, who was wearing an orange "Make America Great Again" cap and a MAGA shirt resembling a beer company's logo, said there were signs in advance Trump would win again.
"I was on the airplane coming up here [to Fargo] a couple of days ago and I was surprised to see three red MAGA hats," he said.
"It used to be you had to hold your head down or someone's going to hit you with something, but not so much anymore. Everybody's getting braver."
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