Trump Gracious in New Hampshire Victory Speech

2 minute read
By Tessa Berenson / Manchester, N.H.

Donald Trump adopted a surprising tone to start off his victory speech in New Hampshire Tuesday night: humbled and grateful.

He walked onstage with his family and spent the first five minutes of his speech giving thanks, first to his parents, his siblings, his wife and his children, before moving on to his staff and the other candidates.

He even nodded to Reince Priebus and the Republican National Committee, with whom he’s had a fraught relationship during his campaign.

Perhaps it’s because he didn’t take this victory for granted. Trump suffered an upset loss to Texas Senator Ted Cruz in Iowa, leading his campaign to rethink their strategy.

New Hampshire 2016 Primary results -- 92% precincts reporting

Trump admitted to the change during his speech, crediting the turnaround in New Hampshire to the new ground game his team worked to develop after Iowa, learning the lessons of Cruz’s caucus dominance making calls and going door-to-door.

“We learned a lot about ground game in one week, I’ll tell you that,” Trump told the crowd.

And in the days prior to voting, Trump even tried some retail politics, proving himself surprisingly adept at connecting with voters in intimate, town-hall settings.

Trump was only onstage for 15 minutes, but the primary-watch event had been a rowdy victory party since 8 p.m., when the first projections of his win rolled in.

On the Trail in New Hampshire in 24 Pictures

Republican presidential candidate, Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio speaks to attendees during a campaign event at the Allard Center on Feb. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.
Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio speaks to attendees during a campaign event at the Allard Center on Feb. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
Supporters attend a campaign breakfast for Republican presidential candidate, Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio at Londonderry High School in Londonderry, N.H., on Feb. 7, 2016.
Supporters attend a campaign breakfast for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio at Londonderry High School in Londonderry, N.H., on Feb. 7, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich attends a campaign event at Searles School and Chapel in Wyndham, N.H. on Feb. 8, 2016.
Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich attends a campaign event at Searles School and Chapel in Windham, N.H. on Feb. 8, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to attendees during a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H.
Supporters for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton attend a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
Supporters for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton attend a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H.
Supporters for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton attend a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
A lost and found at Hampton Academy, where Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held a campaign event on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.
A lost and found at Hampton Academy, where New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held a campaign event on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Supporters for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attend a campaign event at Pinkerton Academy on M Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H.
Supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attend a campaign event at Pinkerton Academy on M Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attend a rally at the the Verizon Arena on Feb. 9, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attend a rally at the the Verizon Arena on Feb. 9, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
A microphone and glass of water used by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton are seen at a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H.
A microphone and glass of water used by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are seen at a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to attendees during a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to attendees during a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
Seats are reserved for media at a campaign even for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at Pinkerton Academy on M Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H.
Seats are reserved for media at a campaign even for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at Pinkerton Academy on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
Republican presidential candidate, Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio greets supporters during a campaign event at the Allard Center on Feb. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.
Florida. Sen. Marco Rubio greets supporters during a campaign event at the Allard Center in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 7, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton attend a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Feb. 6, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H.
Supporters of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attend a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Feb. 6, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the the Verizon Arena on Feb. 9, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the the Verizon Arena on Feb. 9, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
The McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Celebration featured Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders at the Verizon Arena in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 5, 2016,
The McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Celebration featured Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders at the Verizon Arena in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 5, 2016,Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attend a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Feb. 7, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H.
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attend a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Feb. 7, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.
Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
A supporter of Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.
A supporter of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush attend a town hall event at the McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford, N.H. on Feb. 6, 2016,
Supporters of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush attend a town hall event at the McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford, N.H. on Feb. 6, 2016,Natalie Keyssar for TIME
A young supporter of Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attends a campaign event at Daniel Webster Community College on Feb. 8, 2016, in Nashua, N.H.
A young supporter of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attends a campaign event at Daniel Webster Community College on Feb. 8, 2016, in Nashua, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign event at Pinkerton Academy on M Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign event at Pinkerton Academy on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
A supporter of Republican presidential candidate, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio attends a campaign event at the Ultimate Sports Academy in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 7, 2016.
A supporter of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio attends a campaign event at the Ultimate Sports Academy in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 7, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
DERRY, NH - FEB 8: 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks to attendees during a campaign event at Pinkerton Academy on Monday, February 8, 2016, in Derry, NH. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
A United States flag is displayed at Pinkerton Academy during a campaign event for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME

As soon as CNN called New Hampshire for Trump, the packed room erupted into cheers and chants as people pumped their foam “Make America Great Again” fingers in the air and drank beer and wine from the cash bar.

Rachelle Green, 29 from Nashua, was beaming when the results were announced. “I am just really excited,” she said as someone pulled her into the crowd, already looking forward to November: “Hopefully he’ll win!”

“I feel great,” said Eric Bouley, 50 from Allentown.

“My word for this is momentum,” interjected his wife Cheryl, 48. “I think this is going to spring [Trump] above everyone.”

That’s what Trump is hoping too, now off his first official win of the election season.

“Thank you, New Hampshire!” he yelled as he exited the stage. “Thank you, thank you, New Hampshire, thank you!”

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Write to Tessa Berenson / Manchester, N.H. at tessa.Rogers@time.com