2024 US election results: Democrats Abroad members hold viewing party at Kent St Hotel, Donald Trump supporters gather at Sanctuary Hotel

Anxious Sydneysiders have warned of inevitable doom and gloom while glued to TV screens across the city, having ditched work in favour of American politics at the pub.

Anxious Sydneysiders have warned of inevitable doom and gloom while glued to TV screens across the city, having ditched work in favour of American politics at the pub.

Rival camps forecast tears and even the end of the world at CBD watering holes on Wednesday afternoon, when the Democrats Abroad group took over the Kent St Hotel as the local Republican Party faithful threw a secretive bash just down the road at the Sanctuary Hotel.

Venue management banned media from entering the latter but that didn’t stop homegrown Donald Trump fans, all clad in red, white and blue and donning “Make America Great Again” hats, from heading outside to voice their opinions on the street.

Event organiser Edwin Nelson was confident Mr Trump would secure the win and return to the White House as early results rolled in about 3pm.

“It’s looking pretty good at the moment … I think we might have it,” Mr Nelson said.

Republican Party supporters Edwin Nelson, Theodore Churchill and Samuel Hamilton in the Sydney CBD on Wednesday. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“The world was more at peace when he was president.”

Asked what he would do if Mr Trump lost, Mr Nelson said he would “cry” and set his sights on “day one of the 2028 (election)”.

Democrat fans Matt Davids and Emily Kammerlohr with a cardboard cutout of Kamala Harris at the Kent St Hotel. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Avid MAGA followers from New Zealand, Russia and the US were holed up inside the restricted event, which was held behind a big red curtain, with supporter Nick Walker hailing the viewing party as a great excuse to get together with friends and chat politics.

“Today, we are just having a few beers as mates,” Mr Walker said.

Up the road at the Democrat supporters’ “watch party”, hundreds of expats and Aussies were hopeful Kamala Harris could pull through in the polls, despite the early results not appearing promising.

Inside the Democrats Abroad event at the Kent St Hotel in the Sydney CBD. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Lane Cove local Steve Weimgarth, 76, handed out “Dump Trump” signs at the jam-packed event, which was flush with US flags, a Harris cardboard cut-out and chicken wings by the bucket.

“I think it’s a very important election,” Mr Weimgarth said.

“My mother was from New York City and she always supported the Democrats.

“Why? Because they believe in giving the people what they want and Trump wants to take it away.

Steve Weimgarth customises his hat with a “Dump Trump” message. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“He wants to take away women’s rights, he wants to take away the freedoms of Americans … All Trump wants is his glory, being president again for his own narcissistic ego and for enriching his family.

“He doesn’t care about the American people.

“God help the world if (Ms Harris) doesn’t win.”

Originally published as 2024 US election results: Democrats Abroad members hold viewing party at Kent St Hotel, Donald Trump supporters gather at Sanctuary Hotel