November 9, 2016
Businessman Donald Trump stunned the nation and the world Tuesday, upsetting Democrat Hillary Clinton and positioning himself to become the 45th president of the United States in January.
With a divided electorate, Trump surged to victory by racking up victories in several swing states, including Florida and Ohio. In the wee hours Wednesday, Trump thanked his supporters and said Clinton had conceded.
"She congratulated us - it's about us - on our victory," Trump told supporters gathered in New York City. "And I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard fought campaign. I mean she fought very hard."
Throughout the campaign, Trump maintained a steady and growing following as he battled Democrats, members of his own Republican Party and the media.
In his acceptance speech, he struck a conciliatory tone.
Trump said, "Now it's time for America to bind the wounds of division. We have to get together," Trump said. "To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, it is time for us to come together as one united people. It's time. I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans - and this is so important to me."
In addition to taking back the presidency, Republicans in Tuesday's elections also maintained control of the U.S. House and Senate, strengthening their hand heading into 2017 and leaving the all-Democrat Massachusetts delegation in the minority within the halls of Congress.
Clinton rolled to victory over Trump in Massachusetts, where Trump had few supporters among elected Republican officeholders.
Gov. Charlie Baker has been among the many who argued during the campaign that Trump, who frequently insulted his political opponents, lacks the temperament to be president.
Baker issued a statement: "The people of Massachusetts deserve a federal government that works collaboratively to solve our nation's problems and it is my hope that President-elect Donald Trump works quickly to unite our country after a divisive election. Our administration is eager to partner with the next administration to tackle the most pressing issues for our state, region and country."
Trump said that under his presidency "every single American will have the opportunity to recognize his or her fullest potential."
Under his economic plan, he said, the United States "will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world."
"At the same time we will get along with all other nations willing to get along with us . . . We'll have great relationships," said Trump, flanked by vice-president elect Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, and Trump's youngest son, Baron.
"The American people have spoken and the American people have elected their new champion," Pence said, introducing Trump.
Trump pledged Wednesday to "fix our inner cities," saying he hoped to "rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals - we're going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become by the way second to none."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Baker's choice during the Republican presidential primary, quickly allied himself with Trump after dropping out of the race. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani also strongly supported Trump, whose local supporters included Rep. Geoff Diehl of Whitman, 2014 auditor nominee Patricia Saint Aubin and radio talk show host Howie Carr.
Clinton did not address her supporters on election night and is scheduled to make remarks on Wednesday.
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