Trump photographed golfing as Joe Biden wins US election

'Obviously, he’s not going to concede. Over 600,000 ballots are contested,' Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani says

Donald Trump, roundly criticized by Democrats for his hundreds of rounds of golf as president, was photographed doing just that at one of his ritzy clubs as Joe Biden was declared his replacement.

The 45th president was at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, when the Associated Press and major US television networks called Pennsylvania for Mr Biden, making him the president-elect. Rather than rush back to the White House to lead what he said would be an aggressive legal fight to remain in office, Mr Trump remained on the links.

Mr Trump, as a candidate in 2015 and 2016, and even before, harshly criticized former President Barack Obama for playing golf while he was the commander in chief. But since his own election, Mr Trump has played over 260 rounds of golf, according to CNN and others.

Minutes after Mr Biden was declared president-elect, the man he is on track to replace come 20 January released a statement vowing to fight on. As he was pictured with an iron in his hands after a shot, Mr Trump sent a signal that he has no plans to concede.

“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor,” the president said in a statement released by his campaign.

“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American people are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots,” he said, continuing to claim there is widespread voter fraud, but failing to provide any evidence.

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In his own statement, Mr Biden said he is "honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris," adding: "In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America."

He and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are slated to both address the country at 8pm  eastern time from Wilmington, Delaware.

But the Trump camp continued to make clear it will fight in the courts.

“Obviously, he’s not going to concede," Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, a former New York. City mayor, told reporters. "Over 600,000 ballots are contested.”