Trump easily captures North Dakota, a victory so expected it was hardly noticed

When Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential racein North Dakota early Tuesday nightit barely registered a cheer atone of the biggest Republican parties in the state.

The absence of any major celebrationshows how expected Trump's victory in thedeeply 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 Dakotaclosed Tuesday, most Republicans gathering at a private room at a Fargo, N.D., recreational complex seemed toobusy 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 quippedthe response from theaudience was "less than a golf clap, if that."

"Look around," Ken Tanner, one party attendee, said. "Everybody's talking and having munchies and whateverand pretty soon it'll start getting serious."

If the night goes well, Tanner said, "it'll getlouder and louder and louder."

Jovial moodamong Republicans

That's exactly what happened or at least, the noise didn'tdissipate even as some supporters wenthome early.

Amid the chattering, Larry Weil said he was optimistic enough Americans felt the same wayand wanted Trump to return to the White House.

"We're looking at this election being pivotal ingoing back to some fundamental values in America. We certainly are hopeful that Trump will win."

Bymidnight Wednesday,Trump wasleading Democratic candidate KamalaHarrisafter takingmust-win battleground states of Georgia andNorth Carolina, but a winner hadyet to be declared.

Around 4 a.m. CT, the big fiveU.S. networks projected a Trump victory, as did CBC News.

Over at the Democratic party headquartered at a Fargo hotelmeeting room, the noise level washigher than the Republican party, but only because aDJ wasblaring music.

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World," a song from Tears For Fears, was roaringover the speakers, asScottlyn Schulerslouchedinher chair, browsing her phone asfederal 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 ontohope 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 advanceTrump would win again.

"I was on the airplane coming up here[to Fargo] a couple of days ago and I was surprised to see threered MAGA hats," he said.

"It used to be you had tohold your head down orsomeone's going to hit you with something, but not so much anymore. Everybody's getting braver."

Despite easy win in North Dakota, these Fargo Republicans won't celebrate unless Trump reclaims the presidency

10 days ago

Duration 1:14

CBC's Ian Froese reports from election night in Fargo, N.D., where Donald Trump's supporters appeared to take his victory in the state for granted. Their eyes were instead fixed on other parts of the country, where they hoped the results would spell a return to the White House for their candidate.