Donald Trump’s victory brings to an end eight years of Democratic Party rule of the White House
Americans have elected Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States. The Republican Party candidate defeated the Democratic Party nominee, Hillary Clinton.
The result is a shock to most political experts, polls and journalists as most major polling groups were predicting a win for former Secretary of State Clinton.
Trump won the race with 56,897,955 popular votes and 279 electoral votes, compared with 55,877,015 popular votes and 218 electoral votes for Clinton, according to the AP.
The decisive break for Trump came in Wisconsin, long considered part of Clinton’s electoral “firewall.” And it didn’t stop there. Trump won Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes. Clinton underperformed even in states she won, like Nevada and Virginia, eking out margins far lower than Obama secured in 2012.
Trump, a 70-year-old celebrity businessman who had never before run for office, is poised to become the oldest president ever elected to a first term.
Shortly afterwards, Clinton called Trump to concede but did not make a public address.
“I have just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us – it’s about us and our victory – and I congratulated her on a very hard fought campaign,” Donald Trump announced.
Trump called for the nation to unite in his victory speech.
“Now it is time for Americans to bind the wounds of division,” he added. “It is time for us to become together as one united people … I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans.”
The Republican nominee has achieved one of the most unlikely political victories in modern US history, despite a list of controversies and extreme policies, a record of racist and sexist behaviour, and a lack of conventional political experience.
“This is a historic night,” said vice-president-elect Mike Pence, in the first official Republican response, introducing Trump. “The American people have spoken and the American people have elected their new champion.”
Trump, a 70-year-old celebrity businessman who had never before run for office, is poised to become the oldest president ever elected to a first term.
Trump’s promise to “Make America Great Again” inspired millions of Americans alienated by the forces of globalization and multiculturalism and deeply frustrated with the inability of Washington to address their needs.
“It’s a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs who want and expect our government to serve the people, and serve the people it will,” Trump said in his victory speech.
He vowed: “Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”
Trump’s victory brings to an end eight years of Democratic Party rule of the White House. Political experts have said the change could lead to the undoing of many of President Barack Obama’s policies.
One of Trump’s first targets may be the Affordable Care Act, a health care law signed by President Obama in 2010. Trump criticized the measure repeatedly during his campaign. He promised supporters he would cancel it if elected.