It’s official: Trump to become 45th president of the United States

9 Nov, 2016 07:33 / Updated 7 years ago

Republican nominee Donald J. Trump has won 290 electoral votes, becoming the 45th president-elect of the United States. His rival, Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, conceded the election from New York on Wednesday.

READ HOW ELECTION DAY DEVELOPED

10 November 2016

An anti-Trump protest in Richmond, Virginia turned destructive when the Republican HQ was vandalized. A demonstrator smashed windows after throwing a pumpkin at a door, and the doorbell was also broken, according to WWBT.

09 November 2016

To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him,” Sanders said in a statement Wednesday evening. “To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environmental policies, we will vigorously oppose him.

Protesters also gathered near the White House in Washington, DC as it began to rain.

Protesters clashed with Trump supporters outside Trump's residence on 5th Avenue, the day after the election that will send the GOP candidate to the White House. 

The day after the Election, perhaps evidence of so many American citizens' befuddlement with the outcome that will send GOP candidate Donald Trump to the White House was to be found in questions trending on Google.

The most frequent Google search terms were ‘How did Trump win?” “How did this happen?” “How did Clinton lose?” “How did Michigan vote?” “How did the polls get it so wrong?”

 

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to President-elect Trump by phone on Wednesday and was invited to visit the US "at first opportunity," his office announced.

The president of Turkey sent his regards as well.

Outside of Trump Tower in New York City, supporters and detractors of the president-elect squared off Wednesday afternoon.

AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, who endorsed Clinton during the campaign, offered congratulations to President-elect Trump and pledged to work together with him "consistent with our values."

“This election is a statement about our broken economic and political rules,” Trumka said, adding the union will work with Trump to make his promises of reviving manufacturing and renegotiating trade a reality.

However, he added, "the presence of racism, misogyny and anti-immigrant appeals caused damage in this campaign and we must try to repair it with inclusion, decency and honesty."

“I’m so proud of this campaign, I feel so inspired by it, and empowered,” Clinton told her supporters in an impromptu address at the New Yorker Hotel, after her concession speech.

“We won the popular vote,” she added, to cheers.

“As hard as this is, and I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s very hard,” Clinton said, “there will be more opportunities in the years ahead.”

There is a demonstration against Trump in front of the US Embassy in London, UK.

US legendary television and radio host Larry King, who has both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton among his personal acquaintances, told RT the two candidates' real personalities are not what they seemed during the run-up to the elections.

"I've known Donald and I've known Hillary for years, she is not a criminal and he is really not a buffoon," he said.

Saying that Trump has been telling him that he would run for the presidency "since 1980," the journalist still thinks his friend "has to be" surprised that in the end he's done so well, even with Trump's well-known ego:

"The joke is, Melania said to him one night 'God it's cold,' and he said 'you can call me Donald' – that's just Donald to the core."

President Barack Obama congratulated Trump on his victory and Clinton on her "historic campaign," urging America to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power.

“That’s what the country needs, a sense of unity,” Obama said, speaking in front of the White House, “respect for our institutions, our way of life, and rule of law.”

“Ultimately, we’re all on the same team,” the outgoing president said.

Geert Wilders, an MP and leader of the anti-immigration and Eurosceptic Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, sees the Trump victory as an example for Europe to follow.

“America regained it’s national identity, its sovereignty, it reclaimed its own democracy, that’s why I called it a revolution,” he told RT. “Now there is a leader, despite all the negativity spread about him by the political elite and the press, that has only one concern, and that is the national interest of the voters of America who are concerned about immigration, who are concerned about the job loss as a result of globalization, who are concerned about the Islamisation of their society. And he tends to say the truth and convince people that if they start moving, anything is possible, and I believe the historical event of yesterday will have an enormous effect on the European politics as well.”

“The lesson for Europeans is look at America, what America can do we can do as well.”

“It is no secret that the president-elect & I have some pretty significant differences,” Obama said Wednesday afternoon, standing in front of the White House.
His team has been instructed to work toward a successful transition, Obama said.
I could not be prouder of her,” he said of Clinton. “She lived an extraordinary life of public service.”

"I am so grateful for our country and for all it has given to me. I count my blessings every single day that I am an American," Clinton said.

Clinton thanks the "millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union organizers" who helped the campaign.

"To everyone who sent in contributions as small as $5 and kept us going, thank you. Thank you from all of us," she said.

Speaking to her young supporters, she said: "I have had successes and I've had setbacks, sometimes really painful ones...you will have successes and setbacks too. This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it." 

"Our constitutional democracy demands our participation - not just every four years, but all the time. So let's do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear," Clinton said.

Hillary Clinton has arrived to the stage.

"Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country," Clinton said, adding that she hopes Trump will be a successful president for all Americans.

She noted, however, that "this is not the outcome we wanted and we worked so hard for."

Speaking to her supporters, she said: "You represent the best of America," adding that being their candidate has been a great honor.

Kaine said no one had to ask whether Clinton would question the results of the election. 

"That love of country is something that I think is obvious to everybody," he said.

Clinton has "held fast to dreams," Kaine said, adding that he is "excited and proud of Hillary because she has built such a wonderful team."

Vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine has taken to the stage, saying he is proud of Clinton and calling her a "history maker."

He also announced that Clinton won the popular vote.

In a memorandum to Defense Department employees, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter pledged to oversee an orderly transition of power to Trump, adding that "we must stay focused on our duty to confront our current challenges and any that might arise during this period," Reuters reported.

As Obama prepares to leave the White House, many are questioning how much "change" he achieved over the past eight years.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says he is excited about working with Trump, adding that he has spoken to the president-elect twice in the last 18 hours.

"I think we’re going to hit the ground running...I think what Donald Trump just pulled off is an enormous political feat..." he said. 

Clinton's motorcade has left for the New Yorker Hotel.

Writer and broadcaster Mary Dejevsky told RT that this election may represent a shift in how American voters see Russia.
“You were also talking about how Russia had this sort of strange role in this campaign and the thing is, that didn’t work, did it?” she explained. “I mean, the Clinton campaign was blaming Russia for this, that and the other, and trying to condemn Trump by association with Russia and Putin and saying the two were in cahoots and that Russia was interfering and all the rest of it.”
“Now, either American voters thought other things were more important, or maybe they agreed with Trump, that actually there needs to be an improvement in relations and actually Trump is the guy to do it.”

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine has arrived at the New Yorker Hotel.

The lobby at New Yorker Hotel is full, as people await Hillary Clinton's first public appearance since losing the election.

House Speaker Paul Ryan is scheduled to speak at around 11:15 EST.

President Obama will deliver a statement on the election at 12:15 EST (17:15 GMT), the White House has announced.

Watch election reactions from passionate supporters and opponents of Trump.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement, saying he hopes the US under Trump will "strengthen the bonds of international cooperation."

Jill Stein, who ran as a third-party candidate, says the Green Party's movement has "only just begun."

Stelios Kouloglou, a Greek politician and member of the left-wing party Syriza, said that the Trump victory was a “historic” moment.

“I think the idea is that this is a historic day,” he told RT. “You know it’s 9 November, 27 years ago [from] the fall of the Berlin Wall.”

“The fall of the Berlin Wall gave the green light to this oligarchy during which 1 percent is getting richer and 99 percent are getting poorer, and this happens also in the United States. Today’s result, and the result of Brexit, are a major defeat for the political establishment, both for the Republicans, and mainly for the Democrats, because Clinton represented this rotten oligarchy system, this cynical way of making money and this cynical side of capitalism.”

The UN's climate chief has expressed readiness to work with Donald Trump “for the benefit of the peoples of the globe.”

"We look forward to engaging with his administration to take the climate action agenda forward for the benefit of the peoples of the globe," Patricia Espinosa said in a statement.

Fitch ratings agency says Trump's policies would have a negative effect on US public finances, Reuters reports.

Ford Motor Co., which has been repeatedly criticized by Trump over its Mexican investments, has vowed to work with the president-elect.

"We agree with Mr. Trump that it is really important to unite the country - and we look forward to working together to support economic growth and jobs," Ford spokeswoman Christin Baker said in a statement.

Trump said during the campaign that he would not allow Ford to open a new plant in Mexico and would impose heavy tariffs on Ford vehicles.

Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu has reiterated that her country has no plans to build a wall along the US border, as promised by Donald Trump.

"Paying for a wall is not part of our vision," she told local television, as quoted by Reuters.

The Twittersphere has turned their backs on third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, with Clinton supporters blaming them for Trump's win. 

The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Roberto Azevedo, has congratulated Trump on his victory, saying he will support his administration. 

"US leadership in the global economy and the multilateral trading system remains vital," he tweeted.

"It's clear many feel trade isn't working for them. We must address this and ensure trade delivers the widest benefit to the most people."

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Front party, said Americans have "rejected the status quo."

"...Americans have been given the president they chose and not the one that a settled system wanted to make them validate, as if elections were nothing but a formality to satisfy appearances and conveniences..." she said, as quoted by AP.

She went on to state that Trump's win is "good news" for France.

Find out how the world of sport reacted to Trump's win. 

Moody's credit rating agency said Trump's win will alter the landscape in trade, healthcare, and financial regulation, Reuters reported.

RT senior political correspondent Anissa Naouai says Russia could get a few surprises with Trump.

Clinton is now set to deliver remarks one hour later than originally planned, at 10:30am EST (15:30 GMT), according to a statement cited by Reuters.

Trump's win has boosted pharmaceutical stocks. The Clinton campaign had been more critical of drug industry pricing than Trump, with the Democratic candidate causing drug stocks to plummet after tweeting about specialty drug "price gouging" in September 2015. 

Czech President Milos Zeman says he is "very happy" with Trump's victory. 

"I would like to cordially congratulate Donald Trump. I had, as one of few European politicians, declared public support for this candidate...because I agree with his opinions on migration as well as the fight against Islamic terrorism," he told reporters during a press briefing. 

Watch reactions from both candidates' headquarters.

Ireland's finance minister says that Trump's plan to slash corporate tax rates should not keep companies from setting up operations abroad, Reuters reported.

Ireland is seen as a magnet for multinational investment, with a corporate tax rate of just 12.5 percent. The policy has seen it become a hub for US companies including Apple, Google, and Pfizer.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has offered to hold an urgent meeting with EU foreign ministers to discuss the results of the US presidential election, the German Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to AFP, the meeting will be held on Sunday. Earlier Steinmeier said that Trump's victory was not what most Germans had wanted, noting that Washington's foreign policy would no longer be as predictable as it has been.

“The result is not to be underestimated. The result is different from what most people in Germany desired. But of course we have to accept it,”  Steinmeier said, as cited by Reuters.

“In the course of the election campaign Donald Trump has found critical words about Europe and Germany. We must adjust to the fact that American foreign policy will get less predictable in the near future,”  he added.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto says he is ready to work with Trump, and is in favor of bilateral relations.

Geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar speaks to RT about Trump's win.

READ MORE: ‘Trump won White House via social media; mainstream media never saw it coming’

Brazilian President Michel Temer has sent his congratulations to Trump, stating in a radio interview that "relations between Brazil and the United States are institutional. I am sure that nothing will change," Reuters reported.

Earlier this year, Brazil's foreign minister said a Trump presidency would be a "nightmare."

Hillary Clinton is set to deliver remarks at 9:30am EST in New York, Reuters reports.

Trump's campaign manager told MSNBC that the possibility of hiring a special prosecutor to look into Hillary Clinton's situation has not been ruled out, adding that the topic will be discussed "in due time."

Russian journalist Artyom Galustyan has brought flowers, candles and a placard reading “Je suis USA” to the American embassy in Moscow to express his “solidarity with Hillary Clinton’s supporters” and “sympathy with those who voted for Donald Trump.”

“This is not an action, it’s a child’s tear,” Galustyan wrote in a post on his Facebook page.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he looks forward to working with the new administration on trade, investment, and security, adding that Canada has no closer ally than the US.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he hopes US support for Ukraine will continue with Trump as president.

The King of Saudi Arabia has expressed hope that Trump will bring stability to the Middle East.

"We wish your excellency success in your mission to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and w orldwide," King Salman said, as quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders said Trump's win is a sign that the West is living through a "patriotic spring" that will boost support for populist parties in Europe.

"Trump winning proved to me that people are fed up with politically correct politicians who are concerned and involved with issues that regard themselves but not those that are important to the public," he said.

President Obama has invited Trump to the White House on Thursday for talks on the upcoming transition to power.

"Ensuring a smooth transition of power is one of the top priorities the president identified at the beginning of the year and a meeting with the president-elect is the next step," the White House press secretary said in a statement.

Obama, who also called Hillary Clinton, will make a statement on the election results later on Wednesday. 

The president of China, Xi Jinping, has congratulated Trump on his win, the People's Daily reported.

Commenting on Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia will judge the new US administration by its actions and take appropriate steps in response.

We are ready to work with any US leader elected by the US people,” the minister said on Wednesday.

“I can’t say that all the previous US leaders were always predictable. This is life, this is politics. I have heard many words but we will judge by actions.”

A note which previously accompanied Donald Trump articles on The Huffington Post, branding him a "serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist, birther, and bully," has reportedly been scrapped following instruction from Washington bureau chief Ryan Grim, Politico reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated Trump, calling him a "true friend of the state of Israel."

"The ironclad bond between the United States and Israel is rooted in shared values, buttressed by shared interests and driven by a shared destiny," he said in a statement.

"I am confident that president-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between our two countries and bring it to ever greater heights."

The Afghan Taliban has called on Trump to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.

"Our message is that the Americans should draft a policy not to take away the independence and sovereignty of other nations," it said in a statement. "Most importantly they should withdraw all their troops from Afghanistan."

The Catholic Church's highest-ranking diplomat has wished Trump well, saying he will pray for the president-elect to be "enlightened."

"We wish the new president well, that he may have a truly fruitful government," Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told the papal state's radio station.

"We pledge to pray that God enlightens him and supports him in the service of his country of course, but also in the service of well-being and peace in the world. I think today everyone needs to work to change the global situation, which is one of deep laceration and serious conflict."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the election results will have no effect on Tehran's policies, state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.

"The results of the US election have no effect on the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Rouhani said.

"Iran's policy for constructive engagement with the world and the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions have made our economic relations with all countries expanding and irreversible."

German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen says Berlin should act as a "bridge builder" to Trump and help clear up unanswered questions about his stance on conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and US ties to Europe. 

She went on to state that she expects Washington to stick to its long-standing commitment to trans-Atlantic ties.

"Our expectation is that the American commitment to that friendship will continue unabated," she said. "My wish is that we find a common basis for understanding because the problems are big enough and we must tackle them together."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that partnership with the US remains a key part of her country's foreign policy. 

"Germany and America are bound together by values - democracy, freedom, respecting the rule of law, people's dignity regardless of their origin, the colour of their skin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views," Merkel said.

"On the basis of these values, I am offering to work closely with the future President of the United States Donald Trump," she added.

French President Francois Hollande says Trump's win shows that France must be stronger, and that Europe must be united.

Trump supporters and opponents faced off in front of the White House following news of the Republican candidate's success.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says he is looking forward to working with Trump on "global stability and prosperity."

Reactions from politicians across the world are rolling in, some of whom have described the result as unexpected.

Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Oregon to protest against Trump's win. 

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says Trump's first task as president will be to tackle the deep divides that exist within US society. 

He added that it is unclear how Trump will rule America, noting many pressing issues that remain open. Steinmeier said the German government seeks to talk to the new leadership and deal with those issues.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has congratulated Trump, saying: "I very much look forward to closely cooperating with you to further strengthen the bond of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, as well as for our two countries to play leading roles for assuring peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke to Donald Trump on the phone, congratulating him and seeking to foster closer diplomatic ties, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

"The US President-elect Donald Trump expressed his utmost appreciation to the president, pointing out that his was the first international call he had received to congratulate him on winning the election," the statement said.

"President Trump said he looked forward to meeting the president [again] soon."

The British government has issued a statement on Trump's victory. 

The markets are reacting to Trump's victory. 

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has called Trump's victory a warning for Germany and Europe, urging policy makers to listen more closely to the concerns of the people. 

"Trump is the pioneer of a new authoritarian and chauvinist international movement. He is also a warning for us," Gabriel told German newspaper group Funke Mediengruppe in an interview.

"Our country and Europe must change if we want to counter the authoritarian international movement," Gabriel said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has congratulated Trump, stressing that the UK and the US have an enduring and special relationship. 

Iran's foreign minister says Trump should stay committed to the nuclear deal with Tehran as an international agreement, Tasnim reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Trump, saying he hopes they can work on international issues.

Turkish President Erdogan says he hopes the choice of the US people brings benefit for basic rights and freedoms in the world. 

"I hope that this choice of the American people will lead to beneficial steps being taken for the world concerning basic rights and freedoms, democracy and developments in our region," he said during a speech in Istanbul.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has congratulated Trump, saying that Italy's friendship with the US is solid.

Greece's far-right Golden Dawn party has hailed Trump's win, calling it a victory against "illegal immigration" and in favor of ethnically "clean" nations.

"This was a victory for the forces which oppose globalisation, are fighting illegal migration and are in favour of clean ethnic states, in favour of self-sufficiency in the national economy," a spokesman of the party said in a post on YouTube.

"A great global change is starting, which will continue with nationalists prevailing in Austria, Marie LePen in France and Golden Dawn in Greece."

When asked about Trump's call for more counter-terrorism focus, the chief of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, said he is ready to discuss. He stressed, however, that collective defense of Europe is key.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has congratulated Trump on his victory, saying it is an opportunity to further bilateral relations.

Speaking in Ankara, Yildirim said a "new page" will be opened in US-Turkey relations if Washington extradites the US-based cleric blamed for the July coup.

"An area of opportunity has been created for the new president to advance relations with policies taking into account Turkey's fight against terror," Yildirim said.

The leader of Austriia's far-right Freedom Party Heinz-Christian Strache has sent his congratulations to Trump on Facebook. 

"The political left as well as the aloof and sleazy establishment are being punished by voters and voted out of various decision-making positions," he said. 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has congratulated Trump. "What a great news. Democracy is still alive" he posted on his Facebook with a picture of him watching the election coverage.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory. Farage, a Brexit campaigner and Trump supporter during his campaign, tweeted "I hand over the mantle to @RealDonaldTrump! Many congratulations. You have fought a brave campaign,".

Hillary Clinton will speak Wednesday morning, campaign officials tell NBC.

President Putin has sent a message to President-elect Donald Trump congratulating him on his victory.

President-elect Donald Trump began his remarks by apologizing, "Sorry to keep you waiting," over some "complicated business."

"I've just received a call from Secretary Clinton," he said. "She congratulated us, it's about us, on our victory."

"Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time," Trump said, adding that the nation owed her gratitude for her public service. "I mean that very sincerely."

Trump said it was time to "bind the wounds of division."

"We have a great economic plan," Trump said. "We will double our growth, and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world."

He added that he promises "great relationships" with other nations.

"We must reclaim our country's destiny and dream big and bold and daring," Trump continued, before thanking his family.

"This political stuff was nasty, and it is tough," he said.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence briefly addressed a crowd of supporters in New York, thanking his family before saying, "it is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce to you the president-elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump."

Trump then came on stage to speak.

CNN is reporting that Clinton has called Trump to concede. He is expected to address his supporters soon.

Republicans also kept their House of Representatives and Senate majorities in Tuesday's elections, giving Trump the ability to overturn many of Barack Obama's policies once he is inaugurated.

As midnight approached, the atmosphere at Trump campaign HQ turned jubilant, while the Clinton campaign HQ was compared to a funeral.

Clinton suffered a major setback when the traditionally Democratic blue-collar states of Michigan and Wisconsin swung behind Trump, giving the Republican candidate a convincing lead in Electoral College votes.

Trump started the night with only a 16 percent chance of victory, while Clinton was given 84 percent. Following the victories in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio, the predictions became reversed.