With echoes of “USA” heard across the nation, Donald Trump has surpassed the 270 electoral votes required to become the 45th president-elect of the U.S.
In the end, Trump gained 276 electoral votes, 11 of which votes came from the state of Tennessee contributed to this total number of votes.
Mike Pence, Trump’s running mate introduced him and said, “This is a historic night. The American people have spoken and the American people have elected their new champion.”
Trump has been the most unorthodox candidate in recent history since announcing his candidacy June 16, 2015. Defying all political precedents, Trump defeated 16 other Republican nominees on a platform of securing borders, fixing the economy, reassessing American trade deals, relentlessly insulting his opponents and “winning.”
During his acceptance speech, Trump spoke about how wanted to create beautiful things for America.
“It’s time for America to bind the wounds of division to get together. It’s time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said. “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president to all Americans and this is so important to me. We’re going to dream of beautiful things for our country. We will deal fairly with everyone. All people and all other nations.”
Trump even addressed citizens that did not support his unlikely presidency.
“For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so we can work together and unify our great country,” Trump said.
Trump secured enough Republican states early like Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky and Georgia, picked up a few that typically vote democrat like Iowa and Pennsylvania and even won some of the battleground states like, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.
Along with Trump winning the presidential seat and having final say in the selection of the Supreme Court, the Republican party took control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Two weeks before the election, there seemed to be no viable path to the presidency after the emergence of the now infamous “Trump Tape” which featured the president-elect speaking of sexual advances he had made on women. His saving grace came in the form of an FBI investigation.
After seeing his poll numbers plummet post with the release of the “Access Hollywood” video, Trump changed his approach and began to strictly adhere to the scripts given to him by his campaign managers instead of his usual ad-libbed speeches.
FBI Director James Comey then announced the reopening of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email use, which brought the race back to its even playing field.
Trump has alluded to what his major goals are after securing the presidency, including repealing President Obama’s health care law, building a wall along the U.S. Mexico border, ceasing the immigration of Muslims from war-torn countries and deporting those who have immigrated into the U.S. illegally.
Trump will be sworn in as president Jan. 20, 2017.
