President-elect Donald Trump. Image: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock
Despite a number of US national polls predicting that Hillary Clinton had the odds of winning the presidency very much in her favour, Donald Trump has trumped his political rival to be ‘leader of the free world’.
In one of the greatest political shocks of a generation, billionaire businessman and former reality TV star Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States.
Just last night, one of the country’s most widely cited polls provided by FiveThirtyEight was suggesting that Hillary Clinton had a 71.4pc chance of winning the election.
Now her campaign chairperson John Podesta – one of the people most damaged by the leaking of Clinton’s emails as part of the Wikileaks release – has told supporters to go home, signalling the end of any hopes of a late recovery.
Over the course of the 18-month campaign, Twitter has been an integral part of the online debate among supporters of both candidates and now, following this shock victory for Trump, it has exploded into life once again.
Perhaps some of the most interesting comments have come from some of Europe’s far-right advocates, particularly France’s National Front party leader Marine Le Pen who congratulated the “free” American people.
Félicitations au nouveau président des Etats-Unis Donald Trump et au peuple américain, libre ! MLP
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) November 9, 2016
It is unsurprising that one of Trump’s biggest advocates in the UK, Nigel Farage, has been very vocal on Twitter to congratulate the man he shared a stage with as recently as last month.
I hand over the mantle to @RealDonaldTrump! Many congratulations. You have fought a brave campaign. pic.twitter.com/txD3RFMQ2l
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 9, 2016
Looks like 2016 is going to be the year of two big political revolutions @realDonaldTrump. Would be bigger than Brexit! pic.twitter.com/jqANN6UU49
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 9, 2016
As one of the key players in the shock decision by the British people to vote in favour of Brexit, Farage has not been shying away from describing it as a bigger moment than what happened in the UK in June.
While the vast majority of the American media came out in favour of the Democratic Party candidate, one of Trump’s most vocal supporters, Alex Jones, has certainly maintained his bombastic rhetoric in announcing the win.
We just blew up the Death Star! – Alex Jones #TrumpTheEstablishment ( https://t.co/OQtch0tDED ) pic.twitter.com/kANczbsj1B
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) November 9, 2016
Despite a landslide for his political party, one famous Republican who has denounced Donald Trump has remained quiet on election day: the ‘Governator’ Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In fact, many of the Republicans against their new president remain silent on the matter, no doubt coming to terms with the one outcome they surely did not want to happen.
Some who haven’t remained so silent were the many pro-Hillary celebrities who have now taken to Twitter to offer their dismay at the result.
world will never be the same. I feel Sad for the young.?will never be more than the toilet, I’ve used as a symbol 4 Him.
U Can’t Polish ?— Cher (@cher) November 9, 2016
?say a prayer America
— #VoteHillary (@ladygaga) November 9, 2016
7) Hold your loved ones close. Tell them that it is in times of sadness and in the toughest of days where we often find our true mettle.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 9, 2016
When do we start googling "What is Brexit?"
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) November 9, 2016
Having once spoken at an event supporting the Clinton campaign, pop star Katy Perry did not shy away from advocating for an altogether more drastic response.
THE REVOLUTION IS COMING.
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) November 9, 2016
RISE UP
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) November 9, 2016
Of the few celebrity voices who openly backed the president-elect, one of the most supportive was from former Joanie Loves Chachi star Scott Baio who spoke at the Republican National Congress earlier this year supporting Trump.
Great faith in God works. Mr @realDonaldTrump I’m proud to call you President of the United States of America. And First Lady @MELANIATRUMP
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) November 9, 2016
The fallout will surely rumble on for a few days.
President-elect Donald Trump. Image: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock
