British celebrities including Sophie Turner and Sam Smith rush to congratulate Joe Biden

Sophie Turner and Sam Smith toasted Joe Biden‘s victory tonight and taunted Donald Trump as celebrations break out across Britain and the US.

The Game of Thrones actress posted a series of photos on her Instagram Story which showed her raising a glass to toast Biden’s win.

She uploaded an image of the President-Elect holding hands with running mate Kamala Harris, who is the first female and black female US Vice President in history.

Turner, 24, then posted a photo of Trump pouting at a podium under the caption ‘You’re Fired’ – a nod to his days as host of TV series The Apprentice.

Singer Sam Smith taunted the Republican by calling him an ‘absolute snail’ and tweeting an unflattering close-up image of the President.  

Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner posted a series of photos on her Instagram Story which showed her raising a glass to toast Joe Biden’s victory

Turner uploaded an image of the President-Elect holding hands with running mate Kamala Harris, who is the first female and black female US Vice President in history

Turner then posted a photo of Trump pouting at a podium under the caption 'You're Fired' - a nod to his days as host of TV series The Apprentice

Turner uploaded an image of the President-Elect holding hands with running mate Kamala Harris, who is the first female and black female US Vice President in history (left). She then posted a photo of Trump pouting at a podium under the caption ‘You’re Fired’ (right)

Singer Sam Smith taunted the Republican by calling him an 'absolute snail' and tweeting an unflattering close-up image of the President

Singer Sam Smith taunted the Republican by calling him an ‘absolute snail’ and tweeting an unflattering close-up image of the President

On Friday night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stood side by side as he spoke in Wilmington, DE, saying he was on his way. On Saturday night he will address the nation

On Friday night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stood side by side as he spoke in Wilmington, DE, saying he was on his way. On Saturday night he will address the nation

Football legend Gary Lineker, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since his victory in the 2016 race, also shared pro-Biden posts tonight. 

Lineker, who is one of the BBC’s most well-paid stars, retweeted a video of Obama adviser Van Jones tearing up on CNN with the caption: ‘Woah. Powerful.’

He then posted: ‘Trump might be the first President to leave the White House to spend less time with his family.’

Meanwhile in London, wax museum Madame Tussauds redressed their Trump figure in golf attire after unceremoniously dumping it in a rubbish dumpster. 

Trump was playing golf when US TV networks unanimously declared Biden the winner. He has refused to accept the outcome, claims that the Democrat is trying to ‘falsely pose’ as the winner and vows to challenge the results.  

Meanwhile in London, wax museum Madame Tussauds redressed their Trump figure in golf attire after unceremoniously dumping it in a rubbish dumpster

Meanwhile in London, wax museum Madame Tussauds redressed their Trump figure in golf attire after unceremoniously dumping it in a rubbish dumpster 

A member of the Madame Tussauds studios team places clubs next to a wax figure of Trump

A member of the Madame Tussauds studios team places clubs next to a wax figure of Trump

Madame Tussauds staff adjusts a wax figure of Trump which has been re-dressed in golf wear

Madame Tussauds staff adjusts a wax figure of Trump which has been re-dressed in golf wear

Football legend Gary Lineker, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since his victory in the 2016 race, also shared pro-Biden posts tonight. Lineker retweeted a video of Obama adviser Van Jones tearing up on CNN with the caption: 'Woah. Powerful.' He then posted: 'Trump might be the first President to leave the White House to spend less time with his family'

Football legend Gary Lineker, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since his victory in the 2016 race, also shared pro-Biden posts tonight. Lineker retweeted a video of Obama adviser Van Jones tearing up on CNN with the caption: ‘Woah. Powerful.’ He then posted: ‘Trump might be the first President to leave the White House to spend less time with his family’ 

UK politicians also rushed to congratulate Biden, with Boris Johnson calling the US ‘our most important ally’ as he said he would ‘look froward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security’.   

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has also also congratulated Biden on his projected victory in a series of posts.

She wrote: ‘Congratulations from [Scotland] to President-Elect Joe Biden and to history-making Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris.’ 

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States of America. 

In the rough: Donald Trump now faces a steep uphill path to successfully challenge tens of thousands of vote majorities in the states won by Joe Biden in court by December 8

In the rough: Donald Trump now faces a steep uphill path to successfully challenge tens of thousands of vote majorities in the states won by Joe Biden in court by December 8

‘He ran a campaign on the values that we in the United Kingdom share – decency, integrity, compassion and strength.’

‘And I want to congratulate @KamalaHarris on being elected Vice-President, the first woman of colour to take that role.

‘Their victory is one for hope and unity over dishonesty and division. Millions of Americans of all backgrounds and ages have come together to vote for a better, more optimistic future.

‘This is also an important moment for the world. It is a chance to reassert America’s place as a force for good on the world stage. A nation that will work with Britain and other allies to defeat this pandemic and fight climate change.

‘Joe Biden and the Democrats have always shared Labour’s values and the links between our two parties remain strong.

UK politicians rushed to congratulate Biden after US TV networks named him next President

UK politicians rushed to congratulate Biden after US TV networks named him next President

‘I am looking forward to building on this and forging an even stronger relationship between the UK and the USA.’

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, wrote: Congratulations to @JoeBiden on winning the presidential election in a record turnout. And to @KamalaHarris; the first female, black and Indian-American to hold the country’s 2nd highest office.’ 

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election victory, saying it ‘gives great hope to progressives here in Scotland and around the world’.

In a series of tweets, he said: ‘The integrity of democracy demands this result is recognised in America and internationally.

‘The Prime Minister must arrange an early call with President-elect Biden to officially acknowledge this result and congratulate him on an historic achievement.

‘In the UK, Boris Johnson must reflect on his own reputation as ‘Britain Trump’.

‘His extreme Brexit policies, and decision to align himself so closely with the narrow politics of Donald Trump have left the Tory Prime Minister increasingly isolated on the world stage.’ 

THE DECIDING STATES

PENNSYLVANIA – 20 electoral college votes

BIDEN 49.6% 3,335,724

TRUMP 49.1%  3,311, 310

BIDEN WINS: 34,414

NEVADA – 6 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES 

BIDEN 49.91% 642,604

TRUMP 47.92% 616, 905

BIDEN WINS: 25,699

ARIZONA – 11 electoral college votes  

Results expected Saturday.  

BIDEN 49.5% 1,626,943

TRUMP 48.9% 1,606,370

BIDEN LEADS, 20,573

Fox and the AP called Arizona for Biden on Election Day, but others held back as mail-in votes are counted. Mail-in ballots are trending towards Trump in Arizona.

GEORGIA – 16 electoral colleges votes – RECOUNT INEVITABLE

Results expected Saturday but officials have already said there will be a recount because the margin is so small

49.4% BIDEN – 2,457,540

49.3% TRUMP – 2,454,207

Biden leads by 7,248  

 

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: ‘A massive congratulations to the 46th President of the USA @JoeBiden and Vice-President @KamalaHarris.’ 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: ‘Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris on your well-deserved win. London looks forward to working with you – it’s time to get back to building bridges, not walls.’  

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: ‘We welcome Joe Biden’s commitment to immediately sign the Paris Climate Agreement.

‘The world is counting on him to urgently pivot the USA to a trajectory of net-zero carbon emissions and ecological sustainability.’

Irish political leaders have also come out in force to show their support including President Michael D Higgins. 

Mr Higgins said: ‘Today, I have conveyed my best wishes to President-elect Joe Biden, wishing him and the American people every good fortune for his term in office and congratulating him, and congratulating Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.

‘Sabina and I, and the staff at Aras an Uachtarain, have the warmest memories of Joe Biden’s two visits to us.

‘The bonds between the peoples of Ireland and the United States are close and strong, and I look forward to our two countries working together to rebuild the much-needed trust in the methods and institutions of national and international solidarity and cooperation.

‘That solidarity is indispensable, if we are to address the urgent challenges of our time, including such diverse issues as the need to address the cause and consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, global poverty, hunger, migration and the digitisation of our economies, all issues on which the President-elect has expressed a commitment.

‘On behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris every success in the years ahead.’

Taosieach Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as a ‘true friend of this nation.’

He said: ‘On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I offer warmest congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as the 46th President of the United States.

‘Ireland takes pride in Joe Biden’s election, just as we are proud of all the generations of Irish women and Irish men and their ancestors whose toil and genius have enriched the diversity that powers America.’

Mr Martin noted the strong ties between Mr Biden and Ireland.

‘Joe Biden has always been a stalwart friend and supporter of Ireland, including of the prosperity, stability and opportunity made possible by the Good Friday Agreement, to which he has pledged his ongoing steadfast support,’ he said.

He added: ‘I also wish to congratulate Kamala Harris on her election as Vice-President and recognise the tremendous significance of her election to the role.

‘I am greatly looking forward to working with the new Administration in the period ahead in progressing international peace and security.’

Mr Martin pledged to make progress on the issue of the undocumented Irish immigrants in the US, of which there are some 50,000.

He said: ‘I also intend to work closely with the new administration and the United States Congress to pursue comprehensive immigration reform, an issue that is so important to tens of thousands of Irish people making a significant contribution to America.’