Daily Times

NEW YORK: Millions of Americans went to bed in utter disbelief late Tuesday night and many more woke up to a shocking reality Wednesday morning when they discovered that Donald Trump would be the 45th President of the United States. He secured, at least, 290 electoral votes against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton who managed to bag 228 votes. Trump, 70, will be the oldest man ever elected president of the United States. He married thrice and his youngest son, Barron, is ten years old.

A new surge of white voters, mostly without college degrees and doing blue-collar jobs, negated all projections and predictions by the mainstream US media and ensured his victory. High percentage of Latino, black and Asian voters failed to help Hillary Clinton become the first female president of the United States. For months, she was the favourite of the New York Times, Huffington Post and other credible publications. “Thank you. Thank you very much, everybody. Sorry to keep you waiting. Complicated business. Complicated. Thank you very much,” the president-elect told his jubilant supporters, at his victory speech, in New York’s Hilton.

Mrs. Clinton conceded defeat and called President-elect Trump to congratulate him.

“I have just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us. It’s about us. On our victory, and I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign. I mean, she fought very hard… and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country,” the president-elect said.

In her post-defeat speech Wednesday morning, Mrs Clinton believed Trump would be a successful president of the United States. She said they were not expecting such results, which left both her and the supporters disappointed. “Our campaign was not about one person. It was about building America. Our nation is deeply divided. We must accept these results and look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. Our constitution enshrines peaceful transition of power,” she said

President Obama called the president-elect to invite him to the White House on Thursday to discuss the smooth transition of power. He also called former Secretary of State Mrs Clinton and expressed admiration for the strong campaign she waged throughout the country. Polling began in the United States on Tuesday with high hopes among Mrs. Clinton supporters. However, as clocks ticked she and her supporters had to face one shock after another. Five States including Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa flipped to Republicans and played a decisive role in President-elect Trump’s victory.

The Republicans also won the Senate and maintained their majority in the House of Representatives, which meant they were in virtual control of three power centres. Besides, after assuming office the president will appoint a ninth Supreme Court judge, expected to tilt the balance in Republicans’ favour.

Trump, who never held any public office before, will be heavily relying on his advisors to formulate domestic and foreign policies. He already made it clear that he would not follow the policies of Obama administration vis-à-vis Middle East and ISIS.

Democrats’ election night parties abruptly ended across America after it became clear that they had lost the election. They came with happy faces to celebrate victory. However, they had to leave early in tears. “Yikes,” snapped Congressman Jamie Raskin, when Daily Times sought his comments about America under Trump. “Is this really a serious question? I shudder to think about it,” he said.

Cathy, a paramedic, refused to accept that America would be just fine under Trump presidency. “This man wanted all immigrants to leave. He harassed women. He evaded taxes. He lied. He cheated. He is the last nail in the coffin,” she said.

Trump was uncharacteristically gracious in his victory speech, saying he would pursue harmony over hostility throughout the world. “I will be President for all of Americans, and this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country,” Trump said at his victory speech to throngs of jubilant supporters.