On November 5, 2024, news organizations prepared to report results from the presidential campaign between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Networks scheduled extensive coverage, with results expected to provide clarity after a lengthy voting day.
Exit polls released shortly after 5 p.m. Eastern indicated voter dissatisfaction with the current direction of the country. The source of this dissatisfaction remains ambiguous, with speculation surrounding both candidates.
Media outlets attempted to capture voter sentiment through various reports. In Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, a small community reported a tie, with three votes each for Harris and Trump. In Philadelphia, MSNBC reported on voters waiting in line, while actor Paul Rudd distributed water bottles to those in line.
On Fox News, Harris supporter Pete Buttigieg engaged in a contentious interview regarding the election. Former NBC anchor Brian Williams hosted results coverage on Amazon, while Puck reporter Tara Palmeri faced credential issues at Trump headquarters.
A significant event impacting the coverage was a strike by technical workers at The New York Times, which threatened the operation of its election night feature, The Needle. This graphic forecasts the likelihood of a candidate's victory based on voting data. The Needle was first introduced in 2016 and gained notoriety for its shifting predictions during that election.
Approximately 650 members of The Times' Tech Guild went on strike, raising questions about the availability of the feature during the election night coverage.