Donald Trump has suggested that God helped him secure his landmark US election win. 

Declaring victory in a speech in Florida early on Wednesday, Mr Trump referenced his brush with death when a bullet grazed his ear during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in July.

"Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason," Trump said. "And that reason was to save our country and restore America to greatness."

Mr Trump, 78, recaptured the White House on Wednesday by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. The former president's victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the critical threshold to defeat rival Kamala Harris. 

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Trump said to a roaring crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Christian leaders have been responding to his victory, with evangelist Franklin Graham offering his best wishes:

"Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on being elected the 47th president of the United States of America!" he wrote on X.

"I pray that you will look to God every day for His guidance and wisdom."