US election: When will Donald Trump get the keys to the White House? This is what happens next

The US election is all but over, the headline result is known with just a couple of states left to declare for either candidate.

Donald Trump is headed back to the White House in January, but before then there are still a few things that have to happen.

Here's what happens next:

Final counting in remaining states

We are still waiting for official results from some states. And while we know that Mr Trump has secured enough Electoral College votes to win the presidency, a handful of states have still not been declared for either candidate.

They include Alaska, Arizona and Nevada.

There is also the matter of the popular vote, which looks set to go to the Republican. That would mark the first time Mr Trump has won the popular vote in his three election campaigns, and the first time his party has done so since George W Bush in 2004.

Trump finalises his team

We also do not know exactly who Mr Trump will bring to the White House with him.

Robert F Kennedy, who dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed the Republican, is among the names being discussed for roles in the new Trump administration.

The same goes for X owner Elon Musk, who spent at least $119m (£92m) canvassing for him in the seven battleground states.

26 November: Trump to be sentenced in hush money case

Being elected president for a second time doesn't stop Mr Trump having to appear before a New York court on 26 November.

His sentencing in the hush money case was delayed until after the election but will now take place.

He was found guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star

17 December: Electors meet

The Electoral College is made up of electors who technically cast their votes on behalf of their state.

On 17 December, the electors will meet in their respective states (and the District of Columbia) to select the new president and vice president.

Read more:
Trump's main pledges for second term
Trump's victory in maps and charts

25 December: Deadline for electoral votes to be received

Christmas Day is the deadline by which electoral votes must be received by the president of the Senate (currently Kamala Harris in her role as vice president) and the Archivist of the United States.

3 January: Congress convenes

A couple of days into the new year, Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) will convene for its 119th session.

The two legislatures will meet and elect a speaker on 3 January.

6 January: Votes are counted in Congress

On 6 January (this date may sound familiar), Vice President Harris will preside over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress.

She will announce the result and declare who has been elected.

Last time this happened, a mob sought to break into the US Capitol building in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election.

20 January: Inauguration day

Two weeks after the votes are certified, it's inauguration day.

Mr Trump and JD Vance will take their respective oaths of office during the swearing in ceremony at midday, after which the second Trump administration will begin.

(c) Sky News 2024: US election: When will Donald Trump get the keys to the White House? This is what happens next