Today in one sentence: Biden defeated Trump to become the 46th president of the United States; moments after Biden was projected by CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, AP, and Fox News, Trump refused to concede, falsely claimed that the election was "far from over," accused Biden of "rushing to falsely pose as the winner," and threatened legal action to contest the results in some states; the U.S. recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths for the fourth straight day; and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tested positive for the coronavirus.

1/ Biden defeated Trump to become the 46th president of the United States. The Associated Press and TV networks called Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes for Biden, putting him over the 270-vote threshold needed to win the Electoral College. Shortly after, Nevada was also called for Biden. “With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation,” Biden said in the statement. “It’s time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.” Shortly before news organization called the race, Trump tweeted “I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” Kamala Harris will become the nation’s first woman, first Asian American, and first Black vice president. Trump, meanwhile, is the first president since 1992 to fail to win a second term. Biden is expected to give his victory speech at 8 p.m. Saturday — a full five days after the last ballots were cast. (New York Times / Washington Post / Politico / NPR / Associated Press / Wall Street Journal / Los Angeles Times / USA Today / ABC News / NBC News / CNN)

2/ Moments after CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, AP, and Fox News called the presidential election for Biden, Trump refused to concede, falsely claimed that the election was “far from over,” accused Biden of “rushing to falsely pose as the winner,” and threatened legal action to contest the results in some states. “Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” Trump said in a statement issued while he was golfing at his club in Virginia. The Trump campaign has already filed — and lost — multiple lawsuits alleging voting violations in several states. (Fox News / NPR / Associated Press / Politico / CNN / @brianstelter)

3/ The U.S. recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths for the fourth straight day. The U.S. also set a daily record for new cases for the third straight day, with more than 132,700 new cases. At least 17 states reported single day records for new cases, and four states reported record deaths. (New York Times)

  • 😷 Dept. of “We Have It Totally Under Control.”

  • Global: Total confirmed cases: ~49,625,000; deaths: ~1,248,000

  • U.S.: Total confirmed cases: ~9,788,000; deaths: ~237,000

  • Source: Johns Hopkins University

4/ White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tested positive for the coronavirus. He didn’t issue a statement after testing positive for coronavirus this week and directed officials and advisers to not disclose his condition. At least five other people within Trump’s orbit tested positive for coronavirus in the days before and after Election Day, including top campaign aide Nick Trainer. (Bloomberg / New York Times / Washington Post / CNN)

5/ Trump fired the leaders of the agencies responsible for the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, electricity and natural gas regulation, and overseas aid. The White House declined comment on the firings, and declined to say whether there would be more following the election. (NPR)

Two years ago today: Day 657: Presidential harassment.
Three years ago today: Day 292: Incredible insights.