Donald Trump stuns the world, elected USA's 45th president

276

Trump

58 217 045

218

Clinton

57 765 017

270 TO WIN

Donald Trump stunned the world by winning the title of president-elect early Wednesday, storming to crucial victories in a series of battleground states and emerging the victor of a bitterly fought campaign by a razor-thin margin.

One by one, the swing states fell his way: Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and then Wisconsin. Democrat Hillary Clinton had been clinging for hours to faint hopes as the election of the nation's 45th president roared to a frenzied conclusion.

Shortly after 2 a.m. ET, she called Trump to concede.

"I pledge to be president for all Americans," the billionaire real-estate mogul and reality TV star told an enthusiastic crowd of supporters in New York. "We are going to rebuild our inner cities... We will rebuild our infrastructure, which will become second to none."

He pledged to create jobs and take care of veterans.

Things that were true: undercover Trump vote; @mike_pence for VP; Hillary's floor & ceiling r same; rally crowds matter; we expanded the map

— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) November 9, 2016

Vice President-elect Mike Pence spoke before Trump, thanking supporters for their support and enthusiasm.

"This is a historic night," Pence said. "The American people have spoken and the American people have elected their new champion."

Trump claimed victories in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, Utah, Idaho, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas,Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana.

Pollsters and pundits have given Trump little chance of claiming the job ever since announcing his candidacy in a raucous speech in June 2015. But he quickly took the lead in a crowded Republican field, sweeping to the nomination despite drawing tepid support from party leaders.

Even as Tuesday began, he was given little chance of victory. But starting with Florida, almost every competitive state seemed to go his way.

"Things that were true: undercover Trump vote; @mike_pence for VP; Hillary's floor & ceiling r same; rally crowds matter; we expanded the map," Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tweeted at 1:30 a.m. ET, an hour before victory was sealed.

Trump’s strong showing brought angst to world financial markets, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling as much as 500 points in after-hours trading. Brad McMillan, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network, said a Trump win would spark uncertainty and likely result in a steep fall in stock prices Wednesday.

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