Donald Trump Wins The US Presidential Election — Here's What You Need To Know
Election Day came and went, and by the end of it politics was inverted: What many thought was impossible — a Donald Trump presidency — became a reality. Here's how it happened and what you need to know.
Trump Made A Historic Sweep Of Swing States
Donald Trump's election day victory progressed rapidly, but unexpectedly, with quick early wins in the south and midwest, and surprisingly strong showings in swing states that dragged him across the finish line early Wednesday morning:
As polling stations closed in a slow ripple across America, east to west, television networks began calling a predictable roster of results … Maryland, Massachusetts and New Jersey stayed blue; Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee remained red. But then Mr Trump changed the script by taking an early lead in … Florida, North Carolina and Ohio, which he never lost. Along the way, Mrs Clinton suffered a scare in Virginia … before being saved by a late surge of support from … Washington, DC. Yet by the time results started coming in from right across the Midwest the electoral trajectory seemed clear. Mr Trump tore through the Rust Belt states, such as Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin, turning red a swath of states that had not voted for a Republican presidential nominee in decades — including Pennsylvania, which last voted Republican in 1988, and Wisconsin, which had been blue since 1984. Mrs Clinton had hardly bothered to campaign in Wisconsin, where almost every poll gave her a solid lead.
See the video below for the chronology of how each state was called, and the interactive map below the video for more detailed results.
Pollsters Underestimated Trump's Draw On Certain Groups
Exit polls showed that Donald Trump had massive gains in demographic support from the less educated, lower income voters, and white men. While Hillary Clinton's projected support from higher income individuals, minorities, and women were overestimated.
Donald J. Trump won the election by consolidating support from white voters and making unexpected gains with minority groups.
As the map below shows, the rightward shift came at a massive geographic scale — across all of rural America.
But, Clinton Still Probably Won The Popular Vote
While votes are still being counted, Clinton remains ahead in the popular vote — 59,303,241 votes (47.7%) to 59,137,873 votes (47.5%) according to the tally at 10AM ET.
If that holds true as the remaining precincts report their ballots, it would mimic the 2000 results, where Democrat Al Gore narrowly won the popular vote, but George W. Bush won the White House.
…and thanks to the electoral college, the system that makes the US more of a republic than a democracy, that's perfectly fine.
The Clinton Campaign Dragged Its Feet To Concede
About 20 minutes before The Associated Press called the election for Donald Trump with its projection that Trump won Wisconsin, Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta addressed the audience waiting for Clinton, saying that it wasn't over, and they would hear more tomorrow.
Shortly After, The AP Called The Election For Trump
Six Minutes Later, It Was First Reported That Clinton Conceded To Trump Over The Phone
Shortly After Initial Reports Of Clinton's Concession, Trump Gave His Victory Speech
The speech was surprisingly conciliatory considering Trump's repeated calls to prosecute Clinton just in the last few weeks:
We owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country. I mean that very sincerely … Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division … I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all of Americans, and this is so important to me.
Riding Trump's Coattails, The Senate And House Remain In Republican Control
The Senate will remain in Republican control, after Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt (R) beat out his Democratic challenger Jason Kander, dashing the Democrats' hope of a return to power in Congress next year. The House will also remain in Republican control next year, after Democrats made only modest pickups there.
Four States Voted To Raise The Minimum Wage, And Six Loosened Their Marijuana Laws
Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota legalized (or greatly expanded legal access to) medical marijuana, while Massachusetts, Nevada and California legalized recreational marijuana.
and
Maine, Arizona, Colorado and Washington all voted to increase the minimum wage to at least $12 an hour by 2020. Washington approved a raise to $13.50 an hour by 2020; Colorado calls for $12 by 2020[.]
[NPR]
Needless To Say, A Lot Of Democrats Were Thinking About Canada Last Night
So many people decided to research Canadian immigration as results were coming in, that the Canadian Immigration government website crashed:
The Canadian immigration site crashed repeatedly Tuesday as states closed their polls and results began to come in. It may not come as a surprise that Google recorded a spike in the search topic immigration to Canada Tuesday night.
updates below.
The International Community Welcomes Trump
Vladamir Putin was the first international leader to comment on Trump's surprising electoral victory. Of his telegram to Trump, the Kremlin said:
Putin expressed hope for joint work to restore Russian-American relations from their state of crisis, and also to address pressing international issues and search for effective responses to challenges concerning global security[.]
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, stressed the importance of Israel's connection to the US and its interests:
We will work together to advance the security, stability and peace in our region. The strong connection between the United States and Israel is based on shared values, shared interests and a shared destiny.
[ABC News]
[11/9 9:30 AM ET]
Omarosa Says Donald Trump Is Keeping 'A List' Of Republican Enemies
The former "Apprentice" contestant and current Trump surrogate told the IJR that those who voted against Donald Trump, referencing Lindsey Graham, in the election would be placed on a special list for future reference:
If [Graham] felt his interests was with that candidate, God bless him. I would never judge anybody for exercising their right to and the freedom to choose who they want. But let me just tell you, Mr. Trump has a long memory and we're keeping a list.
[The IJR]
[11/9 11:31AM ET]
Hillary Clinton Urges Country To Keep Fighting For Their Beliefs While Giving Donald Trump A Chance
After last night's bruising defeat, Hillary Clinton remained strong during her concession speech — urging listeners to continue fighting for their beliefs, while encouraging people to approach Donald Trump with an open mind.
President Obama Says Not To Lose Hope In First Speech After Defeat
In his first speech after Tuesday's defeat, President Obama congratulated Donald Trump, who he will meet with tomorrow, and told Democrats not to stop fighting for what they believe in.
[11/9 1:00PM ET]
Palin, A Goldman Exec, And Giuliana Being Considered For Trump's Cabinet
Perhaps more feared by Trump's opponents than Trump himself, are the people who will fill his cabinet. According to Politico, those Democratic nightmare scenarios are looking closer to reality. Sources say Newt Gingrich is being considered for Secretary of State, Goldman Sachs alum Steven Mnuchin is being considered for Treasury Secretary, and Rudy Giuliani is being considered for the position of Attorney General.
[Politico]
[11/9 2:00PM ET]
Speaker Ryan Congratulates Trump After Public Sparring During Election
At times during the election, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan seemed like Trump's biggest enemy among Republicans. The tension between them went beyond implication. But today, Ryan had to get used to smiling through the pain as he gave a short but supportive speech about the election results. Read an excerpt below:
Many months ago, Republicans in the House united around a bold, specific agenda for this country and offered a better way forward for America, and it will help us hit the ground running as we work with Donald Trump to do this. We will honor the timeless principles that our country was founded on; liberty, freedom, free enterprise, consent of the governed. And we will apply those principles to the problems of the day.
[Time]
[11/9 2:36PM ET]
Trump's First 100 Days Are Promised To Be Action Packed
Donald Trump has promised to accomplish a lot in his first 100 days. ABC has a full list of promises. Here's what he said he'll accomplish just in his first day:
repeal and replace Obamacare…immediately suspend the admission of Syrian refugees…order a review of every single regulation issued over the last eight years…begin lifting all regulations that are hurting our workers and our businesses…terminate every single unconstitutional executive order signed by President Obama…restore the rule of law to our land…begin implementing plans for construction of a wall along our southern border…get rid of…international gangs of thugs and drug cartels.
[ABC News]
[11/9 3: 28PM ET]
Senate Majority Leader Pledges Quick Action On Obamacare
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel said Wednesday that Trump is onboard for a speedy takedown of a longtime target of Republicans: Obamacare. While Republicans could use a special process called budgetary reconciliation to trigger a party-line vote, deputies of McConnell have signaled they are willing to negotiate with Democrats.
[The Hill]
