US election: Biden gets 238 electoral votes, Trump 213

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are battling it out for the White House, with polls gradually closing across the United States Tuesday -- and then a long night of waiting for results ahead.

So far, Biden has gotten 238 electoral votes and Trump a maximum of 213, because Nebraska splits its electoral votes based on congressional district. 

To become President, one needs 270 electoral votes. 

The first results are trickling in, with US media projecting wins for the Republican incumbent so far in 17 states including Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee -- all states he won in 2016.

Biden has captured 16 states including his home state Delaware and big prizes California and New York, as well as the US capital. As with Trump, so far, all states claimed by Biden were won by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016.