By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
President-elect Donald Trump has lived up to his boisterous campaign rhetoric, pulling off a come-from-behind win early Wednesday morning.
After securing Pennsylvania and Alaska earlier in the day, Trump was all but assured the presidency, which he did shortly after by claiming Wisconsin.
"It is time for us to come together as one united people," he said during a victory speech in New York. "While our campaign is over, our work is really just beginning.
"America will no longer settle for anything less than the best", he said, but pledged that "we will deal fairly with everyone".
Hours after his victory, President-elect Trump took to Twitter to share his thoughts.
"Such a beautiful and important evening! The forgotten man and woman will never be forgotten again. We will all come together as never before" he tweeted.
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton earlier called Trump and congratulated him on his victory, he said. “We owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service,” he said.
As of 0900GMT, Trump had collected 279 electoral vote, well above the 270 needed. Clinton had 218.
The bitter campaign split the country down the middle. Vote totals are trickling in but Trump so far as 58.2 millions votes to 57.7 million for Clinton. Bridging the divide will be an uphill climb for the next president as voters are sure to voice complaints about mistrust and dishonesty about the other side of the political divide.
In Times Square where Americans usually gather on momentous occasions, a somber mood took over as the reality of a President Trump began to take hold.
Kathy Valentine said she never really considered the possibility of a Trump presidency and may now decide if the U.S. will continue to be here home.
"I really mean this when I say that I kind of wonder, should I look into moving out? I love my country, I was raised in a very patriotic household," she told Anadolu Agency.
Cindy Lane was also surprised but is willing to give Trump a chance in office where he may evolve into the role. “I think surrounded by the right people with a good team, he can be a force for great good, not only for the United States, but for global situations,” she said. ““I think he will become more presidential as the time goes by, and the way that the burden falls upon his shoulders… when the reality comes, I think it will be very humbling.”
Alex Ordanis from the traditionally Republican state of Texas, may have been Trump’s biggest supporter in Times Square. He voted for the real estate developer and sees good things from Trump.
"I think it’s great for America to get a Republican back in the office. That way we can balance out the Supreme Court," he said.
"Everybody who gets in the office, they make promises that they can’t fulfill. I think he’ll do a good job. He’ll have a lot more eyes and attention on him than just being Donald Trump."
Ordanis’s enthusiasm for Trump was not shared by financial markets as the dollar began to free fall with the race unexpectedly turning in Trump's favor.
The dollar fell 0.75 percent against the British pound to 0.79 as of 0615GMT.
The greenback lost 1.75 percent against the euro to 0.89, 0.3 percent against the Chinese yuan to 6.76, and 2.8 percent against the Japanese yen to 102.4.
A Trump presidency is perceived to create more uncertainty for world markets, compared to Clinton, according to analysts.
And that uncertainty seeps through to Trump’s potential foreign policy as well.
"In addition to being very sort of, I guess the word would be ‘carnivalesque’," said Anthony DiMaggio, a professor of political science at Lehigh University, "I don’t know how much we can take seriously of what he’s saying and how much we can’t. There’s no way to know. We just have to wait and see what happens.
"With regard U.S. involvement this really does tear down most of the things that the Obama administration has been doing," DiMaggio said, pointing to the administration’s efforts on climate change and Iran.
On Russia, however, the chances for direct confrontation are far diminished when compared to a Clinton presidency, he added.
With both houses of Congress under Republican control, Trump will likely have significant leeway in crafting his foreign and domestic policies in the year ahead.
*Anadolu Agency correspondents Canberk Yuksel and Satuk Bugra Kutlugun contributed to this story from New York, Ankara
