Trump Pulls Off Biggest Upset In U.S. History

Donald TrumpMarkets are already reeling after the billionaire scores stunning win over Clinton.

By SHANE GOLDMACHER and BEN SCHRECKINGER

Donald Trump is going to be the next president of the United States.

The billionaire businessman who never before held elected office shocked America and the world, defeating Hillary Clinton in an extraordinary rebuke to the nation’s political class after an ugly and divisive race that will go down as the most stunning upset in American history.

Trump did so decisively, stomping across the electoral map with wins in the four biggest battlegrounds of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He defied the polls and pundits after a scorched-earth campaign against Clinton, the Republican establishment, and basic decorum, toppling the blue wall of states that Clinton had supposedly constructed to keep the White House in Democratic hands.

The nation, the markets and the world stood stunned, wondering what would come next. The Dow Futures sank as much as 750 points. The Mexico peso plunged.

“It is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said in a victory speech, following a concession call from Clinton at nearly 3 a.m. Eastern. “It’s time.”

Trump led an unseen rebellion of working-class voters, most of them white and so disgusted by a stalled status quo that they voted for a candidate promising dramatic change, even as Trump set disapproval records for a winning candidate. He also tapped into ethnic antagonism, vowing strict immigration controls, a ban on Muslims and a deportation force, promising an era of restoration.

“The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” Trump declared.

Clinton had been heavily favored to win. She led national polls and in most battleground states heading into the election. Her allies were so confident that a supportive super PAC had actually redirected millions to other races.

But Trump had been underestimated from the first day of his candidacy, when he descended the gilded escalators of Trump Tower to bash Mexican immigrants as “rapists.” He went on to dispatch 16 rivals in the Republican primary before mounting a vicious campaign against Clinton in which he paraded her husband’s infidelities, repeatedly called her corrupt and questioned whether she could govern as a woman.

For 17 months, the reality television showman mesmerized the public with his unvarnished tweets, constant television presence and raucous mass rallies. His full-throttle grip on the national imagination enriched the news media and eroded standards of political civility.

It made him a hero to his fans. And they voted in droves.

In Mahoning County, a longtime Democratic stronghold and the home of Youngstown, Ohio, Trump held Clinton to roughly 50 percent. President Obama had carried the county with 63.2 percent of the vote. That was the story in place after place, as Trump sliced deeply into once large Democratic margins and built massive leads among rural voters.

“This is a movement. It’s more than a normal political election,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican who was the first GOP senator to endorse Trump in late February. “It transcends normal party politics.”

For Clinton, the loss is especially brutal. She had meticulously planned her victory party at the Javits Center in Manhattan, symbolically under an enormous glass ceiling that she hoped to break through. Instead, it was the dreams and aspirations of her supporters that were shattered.

Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta said she was not ready to concede, calling for more votes to be counted. “She’s not done yet,” he announced early Wednesday morning.

But Clinton soon called Trump to concede.

At the Javits Center, a mass of Democrats stood aghast on the convention center floor watching CNN and MSNBC. They cheered every time a small state was called for Clinton, but those times were few and far between. She won Colorado and Virginia, but little else that was competitive.

Instead, they watched as state after state ticked into Trump’s column, her chance of becoming the first woman president snatched away by a man caught on tape bragging about groping women, and then accused in recent weeks by a dozen of doing just that.

They filed out without ever hearing her speak.

Across town, at the Trump party, the buzz was building. It exploded when Fox News declared Ohio for Trump, the first swing state to fall. “USA!” came the chants from the crowd.

Throughout his campaign, Trump made attacks on the “dishonest media” a centerpiece of his candidacy, becoming the first major candidate to refuse to release his tax returns. He avoided holding a press conference for the final three months of his candidacy.

One thing was clear from early exit polls: the divisive contest had left many Americans deeply unsatisfied with their choice. More than three in five of those interviewed viewed Trump unfavorably, meaning many who did not approve of him voted for him anyway.

“[T]he idea of change trumped everything else,” tweeted one of Trump’s pollsters Tony Fabrizio.

Trump’s strong showing was lifting Republicans down the ballot. In the Senate, Republicans scored a string of big victories. Sen. Marco Rubio won reelection in Florida, as did Sen. Ron Johnson in Wisconsin, Sen. Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania and Sen. Richard Burr in North Carolina, while the GOP also knocked back Democratic former Sen. Evan Bayh in Indiana. The only early loss was in Illinois, where Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth knocked off the incumbent.

Trump will not only take the White House in 2017 but Republicans will control both chambers of Congress, where they have an appetite to unravel much of the progressive agenda enacted over the last eight years.

The five-month campaign between Clinton and Trump had become a must-see spectacle for the nation, gripping the public consciousness and drawing record viewership to their three debates, where she was widely viewed to have outflanked him.

In the final month, Trump battled back accusations of sexual assault after a tape emerged of him bragging about groping women in early October. In characteristic style, he lashed out as his accusers — threatening to sue them in a speech at Gettysburg. Clinton called him “temperamentally unfit” for the presidency and accused him of embracing racist, xenophobic and misogynistic rhetoric.

But Clinton was weighed down by 18 months of questions about her use of a private-email server at the State Department, including an FBI investigation that seemingly concluded in July — only to reemerge with 11 days left in the campaign. She was eventually cleared — again — of criminal wrongdoing only two days before the election.

But Trump continued to cry foul about a “rigged system” tilted against his outsider candidacy, and has threatened to seek her imprisonment.

“Lock her up!” has been the signature chant as his mass rallies.

Trump struck a more conciliatory note in his speech on Wednesday, speaking of how it was time to “bind the wounds of division.”

His upset victory is already sending shockwaves through financial markets. His idiosyncratic foreign policy views and his belief that the United States must be “unpredictable” in international affairs has sewn anxiety among allies and enemies alike. His regular compliments of Russian President Vladimir Putin have caused jitters across eastern Europe, ever-worried about Russian aggression.

“While we will always put America’s interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone,” Trump said.

Courtesy of www.politico.com

Ends

14 Comments

  1. Babu Soli

    It’s a pity. Brace yourselves for massive deportations, police and racist attacks and assaults, abuses in the places of employment and restrictions on your civil liberties. It’s America the White man’s America that has voted to impose the White man’s supremacist culture and vision.
    From Europe we will always side with your sorrow, which is inevitable from 20th January 2017 when Donald Trump finally picks the Trump Card. Difficult times ahead! May Allah help the migrant and Black population from the mighty inhumane clutches of Trump!

    • Come on Babu Soli …Don’t believe in all that major, status quo, establishment leaning media crap…It’s just scaremongering and propaganda against an anti-establishment candidate..

      President elect Mr Trump is not stupid, though he can seem so sometimes, but buried somewhere in all this media hyped Trump bashing is a clear indication that he will NOT focus on the 11million undocumented immigrants. Only on those who are illegal and have committed crimes.

      There may be mass/massive deportations but they have never really stopped…President Obama, often referred to as the “Deporter-in- Chief” by pro-immigration groups, has deported more people than any other president in recent times, according to records….Over 2.5million between 2009- 2015..

      In case we have short memories, President Obama actually directed the ICE, (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to pursue a similar policy to Trump’s, on removing criminal illegals, during his November 2014 Executive Action on immigration. So, nothing different there, despite all the negativity about Trump’s immigration policy.

      Personally, between the two options (Trump or Hillary), I think America has chosen the best of the worst..At least, from the perspective of a world tired of American Militarism and Globalisation of war, as an engine for economic growth and prosperity.

      Next seismic shock to come for the establishment is Jeremy Corbyn…. because the “silent majorities” are “speaking” where it mattered the most: at the ballots; not the skewed polls..

      • Bax , welcome back after long absent . I don’t think Mr Trump’s policy will make a significant difference in terms of foreign policy but domestically he might be strick on immigration.
        Hey by the way , I haven’t see your fellow confused disciples since the coalition formation. I am still wondering if they are not on jammeh’s payroll. They have been on total silence.

        • All the disagreements was around alliance. Now that it’s happened, all focus has shifted to unconditional support for Mr Barrow. That’s why the “silence”..Things are looking good, so far..

          I agree, Trump will sober up now and face reality.

          • Baxo and crew seem to be in very good mood and that is impressive one has to admit. When the lions are well relaxed ……why disturb them at all?
            Best regards to @Kamalo, @Yerro, @Dawda and relentless @Baxo. Keep it going good wherever you guys are…

    • On the contrary, I have always braced myself up for the massive humans rights abuses, illegal jailings and killings of citizens by Yaya Jammeh’s regime and all dictators alike, of tropical African countries. Killers at home are more a preoccupation than those afar.

  2. Bourne,
    What a nonsense! KillINGS at home can be revenged since tehy might be done within immediate family circles. But when killed afar who takes the bull by the horn to revenge? If you are there in the USA, better brace yourself for an uneven period when Donald Trump assumes office on 20th January ’17.
    He will undoubtedly be reminded by his voters about the presence of undocumented migrants on US soil which could affect a large number of our Gambian people.
    If you are not preoccupied about Trump’s immigration rhetorics, I am, ’cause he is the real Yankee who believes in the GREATNESS OF THE USA!
    By the way, did you visit the GRTS 10pm(Gambian Time) news to visualize President Jammeh’s nomination? What a HUGE turnout of Gambians. He will win. IN SHAA ALLAH

    • Is the Grts giving the constitutional air time to opposition parties in the Gambia or can private radios do so, alligator? the state of affairs in the Gambia is thje most terrifying in the world today because this is a state that can torture, maim, kill, disappear and imprison different opinion holding citizens with impunity, something ridiculous to think can happen in the U.s.a.

      @Babu haven’t you seen previous questions to be engaging me in such a weightless issue?
      I ‘ll not be really surprised what contesting elections can serve for a dictator like your boss who can order the killings of school children and later to screw his face in the eyes of elderly statesmen for them to see how blessed he is. This is the home revenge you are talking of. We have those cultures who call for blood of perceived enemies i.e., like political ones, in performing rituals. That’s why I acquiesced to most of critiques of the concepts about cultures and traditions in the Gambia. I believe some of those cultures and traditions harden our hearts with hate for human life and their properties. These are the same hardened hearts of our cultures and traditioins who are occupying or may be occupy public offices in the future. Something is very horrifying about you creepiness.

  3. Bourne
    READING DIVERGENT VIEWS AND OPINIONS IS ALWAYS REWARDING THOUGH THORNY AT TIMES. I SINCERELY ENGAGE YOU TO READ THIS PIECE OF ARTICLE FROM KAIRABANEWS.
    IT DEPICTS THE TRUTH ABOUT A STATE OF TERROR DURING THE EX-PRESIDENT JAWARA REGIME
    PLEASE READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE!

    Vice President BB Darbo & SS Sabally, This Day 34 Years Ago.
    December 20, 2014 Editor 1 Comment
    About Latest Posts

    Editor
    BB Darbo, Former vice president of the republic of the Gambia
    BB Darbo, Former vice president of the republic of the Gambia
    It was a Saturday, on December 20th 1986 in Ngayen Sanjal, a tiny village, in a peaceful country of The Gambia in West Africa. Most Christians were putting up their Christmas trees and lights. But across the country, campaigning was in high gear for the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections with campaign posters and placards littering roof tops and road sides everywhere.

    Some how in the mist of all this euphoria, two allies, later turned political rivals, stole the day for the wrong reason, following their supervision of a beat down of an opposition candidate for the elections. VP Bakary B Darbo and fellow cabinet member Saihou S Sabally, minister of Agriculture at the time were heading an entourage to one of their campaign destinations at Kani Kunda in the constituency of Sabach Sanjal. At the time, SS Sabally was the member for Parliament for that constituency. This much we know was what everyone agreed on. What is about to unfold, became a subject of national and international dimensions with huge political ramifications. We will allow the actors to tell us what happened since Kairabanews does not like making up stories.

    According to the official opposition Press release outlining the incident, the NCP claimed their candidate Modou Gaye was doing some regular yard work (cleaning and burning dry grass) when the entourage of the Vice President and minister of Agriculture descended upon his compound vandalizing his opposition signs and placards. Modou Gaye tried to intervene to stop this vandalism which was being supervised by the vice President and fellow Cabinet minister, SS Sabally. At this juncture, the escorting Gendarme (para-military police) knocked him down. He was held down by a police officer while members of the entourage pounced on him mercilessly with fists, sticks and stones. The release indicated further that the rowdy crowd followed Modou Gaye as he escaped into his house and assaulted his pregnant wife as well. Later, the severely battered and traumatized couple was rushed to the town of Farafenni for treatment.

    Following the widespread national and international coverage and condemnation of the incident, Sir Dawda, the President of the Gambia has had enough and decided to call in Radio Gambia for an Interview so that he would give the official rebuttal of the December 20th saga. Sir Dawda started by blaming the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for their bias coverage of the incident. He said Modou Gaye, the NCP candidate was to blame for what happened to him. He went on to say that Gaye set up the fires forcing the VP’s entourage to stop at his place and engage him in a scuffle. That this was just a scuffle that should never have made it to the BBC and that the opposition NCP was really desperate to use this incident to gin up support for their lackluster campaign.

    But the opposition Press release rebuffed this scuffle claim, when one side was clearly made up of a power heavyweight such as VP Darbo, SS Sabally, Agriculture minister, a policeman, a para-military and large vigilante followers as opposed to a single couple on the other side. That makes no sense to the opposition. The dis-proportionality of force, renders this claim laughable and probable created a lot of press buzz around it.

    In conclusion, this editor was baffled by the absence of any statements or press releases on the incident by Vice President or the Agriculture Minister. We checked Foroyaa thoroughly for that part of the puzzle but remained dazzled that we could not find any. Rather, the president took on the task of explaining something he was not part of with choice words like “scuffle” and “instigate”.

    • Where can I find KAIRABANEWS? Are you talking about Kairo news? Because the ‘pro-Aprc regime propanda’ above, that’s trying to work out an appease for the particular regimes horrible atrocities committed to Gambian citizens, could make a horrible blow of a coincidence with my favorite Kairo News’ green-stripe-pages. Yeah, that’s it! I too like them for their preparedness in disseminating divergent opinions, viewpoints an ideals of all walks of lifes of Gambians or concerned alike, including @Bourne and @Babun soli……Isn’t it how wicked hearts too can learn the values in democracy?

      I have never argued to defend that the Ppp regime was entirely an example of a full fletched and blossomed democracy but indeed has never been a ruthless dictatorship where citizens offer of the day is terror that frequently or perhaps on daily basis, claims the lifes, health and properties of many hard working and innocent citizens of the Gambia.

      I have also heard people talking of the former Ncp and Ppp militant clashes but I bet that heights in the then civil society democracy process would have reached unimaginable heights in this modern world of advanced information technology.
      You haven’t yet answered an important question; Why are most dictators of Africa, former and recent ones, would like to own properties in the U.s.a, U.k or in other western countries, and what makes these countries a preferred destination of the families of despot rulers with colonialism paranoia, and their inner circle of sycophants??

  4. Bourne,
    Donald trump has affirmed his promise to deport over 3 million “undocumented” immigrants and construct the “defensive” wall along the Mexican border. Are you aware of the number of Gambians who might be incarcerated in that horrendous ordeal?
    Not only that, he will jail some of them in America’s notorious prisions where the rights of the individuals are harshly violated.
    Don’t look onto America as “saviour” and guardians of habeas corpus. It’s a banditry state that thwarts the liberties and rights in the name of her economic and military mights. NOTHING ELSE!
    Though Europe has got her misgivings and treads on the rights of the people, it’s nothing parallel/comparable to the USA’s. Here NOBODY is judicially sent to the murderous chambers inspite of the magnitude of crime committed. The soul and flesh of the person at some extent are respected by the Europeans. That’s the same trend in the Gambia.
    Once again, I fore-warn you if you live undocumented in the USA to start thinking about what to do with your money or education and think about going back to The Gambia where you can laudably invest your economic, social and educational prowesses without fear or hinder.
    The socio-economic atmospheres for any robust investments are well placed in The Gambia. Stop fooling around in the West and GO BACK home to play any useful role. Nobody stops anybody’s quest for progress in The Gambia, in ALL SPHERES I mean.
    I’m writing from experience, though I’m here in Holland. The Gambia is nothing comparable to the decaying moral, economic and social trends in the West. Believe it or not , you will be better positioned as a HUMAN BEING within your close family and friendly circles, than the already notorious conditions many of our people are living in, in the West. YOU DECIDE and stop the foolish on-line rhetorics!

  5. Bourne,
    Donald trump has affirmed his promise to deport over 3 million “undocumented” immigrants and construct the “defensive” wall along the Mexican border. Are you aware of the number of Gambians who might be incarcerated in that horrendous ordeal?
    Not only that, he will jail some of them in America’s notorious prisions where the rights of the individuals are harshly violated.
    Don’t look onto America as “saviour” and guardians of habeas corpus. It’s a banditry state that thwarts the liberties and rights in the name of her economic and military mights. NOTHING ELSE!
    Though Europe has got her misgivings and treads on the rights of the people, it’s nothing parallel/comparable to the USA’s. Here NOBODY is judicially sent to the murderous chambers inspite of the magnitude of crime committed. The soul and flesh of the person at some extent are respected by the Europeans. That’s the same trend in the Gambia.
    Once again, I fore-warn you if you live undocumented in the USA to start thinking about what to do with your money or education and think about going back to The Gambia where you can laudably invest your economic, social and educational prowesses without fear or hinder.
    The socio-economic atmospheres for any robust investments are well placed in The Gambia. Stop fooling around in the West and GO BACK home to play any useful role. Nobody stops anybody’s quest for progress in The Gambia, in ALL SPHERES I mean.
    I’m writing from experience, though I’m here in Holland. The Gambia is nothing comparable to the decaying moral, economic and social trends in the West. Believe it or not , you will be better positioned as a HUMAN BEING within your close family and friendly circles, than the already notorious conditions many of our people are living in, in the West. YOU DECIDE and stop the foolish on-line rhetorics!

    • That’s exactly why one like Sam Sarr, another strange idiot, as Gambia’s united nations anbassador, shines and glisten in hollywood designers suits and loves drinking expensive and exotic wines and whiskeys of New york at the expense of the poor Gambian taxpayer.
      What a regret and pain citizens being killed, tortured, maimed or jailed for their opinions and viewpoints in their state of affairs like what is happening to Gambians. I know that the riots against Trump election victory would have had cost half the lifes of Gambia’s population as already contemplated in your sense of terror skills. I know for sure….Isn’t it.
      You or your boss are in a terrible financial calamity as well, I learned, and for this reason you are laying your booby traps as usual to lure citizens and foreigners in investing moneys in businesses in the Gambia for your foot looters to end up looting them of what is theirs and get in thin air with impunity. You and your boss have turned a state of a country into a circle of unintelligent and greedy thugs thanks to careless HADAMAYAA of Gambians.

  6. Well am definitely concerned about the kidnappings in the country if it is true,the culprits should be held accountable for their actions please let the whole country stand shoulder to shoulder about the issue and I am a victim too,because when I see Daffeh I see myself.
    What are the security forces in the country doing?Please help your country before it will get ugly

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