Donald Trump stuns the world, elected USA's 45th president

Описание: The popular vote count proved even closer, with Clinton leading at mid-morning by a razor-thin margin of 47.7% to Trump's 47.5 out of more than 118 million votes cast.

The often bombastic Trump struck a conciliatory tone as he addressed an enthusiastic crowd of supporters in New York to claim victory.

"I pledge to be president for all Americans," the billionaire real-estate mogul and reality TV star told an enthusiastic crowd of supporters in New York after his victory was confirmed. "We are going to rebuild our inner cities... We will rebuild our infrastructure, which will become second to none." He also pledged to create jobs and take care of veterans.

Trump said he congratulated Clinton for a "very, very hard-fought campaign."

"Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country," he said. "I mean that very sincerely. Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division, have to get together. To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people."

On Wednesday morning, President Obama called the president-elect "to congratulate him on his victory" and invite him to the White House on Thursday to discuss the transition, the White House said in a statement.

“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 statement said.

As the victory was sealed after midnight Tuesday, Vice President-elect Mike Pence spoke first to supporters in New York, thanking them for their hard work and enthusiasm.

"This is a historic night," Pence said. "The American people have spoken and the American people have elected their new champion."

Trump claimed victories in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, Utah, Idaho, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas,Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana.

Pollsters and pundits have given Trump little chance of claiming the job ever since announcing his candidacy in a raucous speech in June 2015. But he quickly took the lead in a crowded Republican field, sweeping to the nomination despite drawing tepid support from party leaders.

Even as Tuesday began, he was given little chance of victory. But starting with Florida, almost every competitive state seemed to go his way.

"Things that were true: undercover Trump vote; @mike_pence for VP; Hillary's floor & ceiling r same; rally crowds matter; we expanded the map," Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tweeted at 1:30 a.m. ET, an hour before victory was sealed.

Trump’s strong showing brought angst to world financial markets, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling as much as 500 points in after-hours trading. European stock markets and U.S. stock futures trimmed earlier losses later Wednesday after Trump's relatively soft victory speech helped reassure investors.

Clinton claimed California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois, New York, Connecticut,Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Jersey, Vermont and Washington, D.C.

Trump and Clinton mostly shunned public appearances as the day wore on, although Trump conducted radio interviews and their social media accounts were far from silent.

"Don't let up, keep getting out to vote - this election is FAR FROM OVER! We are doing well but there is much time left. GO FLORIDA!," Trump tweeted before the state was won.

Clinton's account chimed in early: "This team has so much to be proud of. Whatever happens tonight, thank you for everything."

Russian president Vladimir Putin sent Trump a telegram of congratulations while Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders tweeted his praise.

European Union leaders Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker issued a statement congratulating Trump and said "it is more important than ever to strengthen transatlantic relations."

British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Trump and said she looked forward to working with him.

"Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence," she said in a statement.

More than 1,000 people gathered outside the White House before the results were announced to protest against a Trump administration, Fox News reported.