Donald Trump wins election, plunging US into uncertain future
US elections live results county by county
How Trump won: volatility and a common touch
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11.48am GMT
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, reacted to Trump’s win by saying that it would not change the trajectory of his country’s foreign policy and that the US’s credibility among the international community had already diminished, reports Saeed Kamali Dehghan.
“The US election results will have no impact on the policies of the Islamic Republic,” the Iranian cleric said during a Wednesday meeting with his cabinet, according to the semi-official Isna news agency. “Because of wrong policies, the position of America in the international community and world’s public opinion has diminished and [the US’s] growing rift with Europe and the world will exacerbate that position.”
The country’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, meanwhile, said that the US had to continue respecting last year’s landmark nuclear agreement, whose fate rests much in the hands of the new American president. “America has to implement the international obligation it accepted under the nuclear deal,” he was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency while on an official visit to Romania.
11.28am GMT
Donald Trump has updated his Twitter bio to reflect his new position:
11.21am GMT
Jeremy Corbyn MP, leader of the Labour Party in the UK, gave the following statement:
Many in Britain and elsewhere will be understandably shocked by Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, the rhetoric around it and what the election result means for the rest of the world, as well as America.
Trump’s election is an unmistakable rejection of a political establishment and an economic system that simply isn’t working for most people. It is one that has delivered escalating inequality and stagnating or falling living standards for the majority, both in the US and Britain.
11.09am GMT
This is the moment CNN’s Van Jones called Trump’s victory a “whitelash” against America’s first black president:
10.55am GMT
After an initial panic, the financial markets are coming to terms with Donald Trump’s shock victory, reports the Guardian’s Graeme Wearden.
Trump’s call for America to “come together as one united people” has provided some comfort to shell-shocked investors. They are hoping that the president elect, after running such a divisive campaign, may be planning to soften his rhetoric.
Britain’s main stock index, the FTSE 100, has recovered from an early-morning slump and is now flat.
10.47am GMT
Some more pictures of the protests against Trump’s presidential victory which are developing this evening in California and Oregon:
.@Uber new HQ in background. Anti-Trump protest in #Oakland. pic.twitter.com/IikYcuTgyY
#Oakland Tribune newsroom hit by anti-Trump vandals. pic.twitter.com/0HgeasIlUG
Thick smoke in the air from cars peeling out at the Portland anti trump protest. #electionday #election2016 pic.twitter.com/mxOIIR7UBb
Protest against Trump happening in Oaklane along telegraph right now pic.twitter.com/f93SyOSEl2
Trump supporters have pulled up the boarding over the star. pic.twitter.com/CC5w2n9vs3
#Oakland pic.twitter.com/XGyIa3tIbu
10.38am GMT
The audience at Clinton’s alma mater, Wellesley College, booed the announcement that Trump had won Ohio, reports the Guardian’s Megan Carpentier.
Shortly after midnight, when CNN showed Trump pulling away from Clinton in Pennsylvania, a few women shouted “No!” and “Why?” at no one in particular as the catering staff packed up the bar and dispatched the remains of the cheese plates and buffet sandwiches. More and more women could be seen crying on one another’s shoulders, while one group of women (and a couple of male friends) gave the middle finger to CNN’s Jake Tapper on the large screen.
Tempestt Morgan – still hoping against hope for a Clinton victory at 12:30am – wasn’t actually optimistic about the America into which she’d be entering as a college graduate next May. “Even if [Clinton] somehow makes it back from this, it’s still sad to see so many people aligned with a candidate like [Trump]” she said, referencing his comments about women and people of color.
10.26am GMT
How it all unfolded:
10.14am GMT
Women in suits, mothers and daughters, hucksters selling “Nasty Women” pins and tens of thousands of members of the public came to Manhattan’s largest glass ceiling on Tuesday night, to await the result of a presidential election that many hoped would sweep away the highest gender barrier in US politics.
As the night went on and results did not go the Democrats’ way, the mood in and around the building grew darker, reports the Guardian’s Lauren Gambino from Clinton’s election-night party in New York.
Inside, Clinton was supposed to speak on a stage constructed in the shape of the United States, her podium positioned somewhere over Texas, a deep red state that would stay that way despite a nationwide increase in the Hispanic vote that had fuelled hopes of turning it purple, if not Democratic blue. American flags lined the stage. The pledge of allegiance was said, the national anthem played.
Thunderous cheers rang off that glass ceiling as newscasters announced that Clinton had won Illinois, the state where she was born. States came and went, largely as expected: Delaware, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island for Clinton, South Carolina, Alabama and more for Trump. But things were predictably close in Florida, and as Trump surged back into contention tension rose at the Javits.
10.04am GMT
British Prime Minister Theresa May has released a statement congratulating Trump on his victory in the presidential election. She said:
I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next President of the United States, following a hard-fought campaign.
Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
9.57am GMT
We’ve been gathering views on the mood in the US. Here, a group of American readers tell us what they think.
Susan Hall from Illinois sent in her response, saying: “A long hard fought campaign. I am very proud of our new president and vice president. The message shared has set the right tone for his presidency. It’s time to now begin the hard work and healing of our nation. I understand there are many feeling uneasy right now. I think if they keep an open mind and open arms, the US can come together like never before. The future is what we decide to make it at this point. “
I voted for Obama twice, and really he should go down as one of the worst presidents in history. Obamacare is a disaster, our ability to project our strength in the world has diminished. We have become more divided as a nation under his guidance. Hillary would only have expanded on his failures. We saw scandal after scandal when Bill was in the Oval Office. She should have been prosecuted for her illegal server and lied under oath. She would have expanded immigration causing unrest like we are seeing in Europe at this moment.
The Supreme Court will have several openings and Trump will appoint nominees who will preserve our constitution and bill of rights. More than anything I am so relieved Hillary didn’t win as I don’t trust her.
I’m trans, and I’m worried about what will happen to me in this America now. If the courts will see challenges to every bit of equality for LGBT+ Americans. I’m scared that if I attempt to legally transition, my marriage could be invalidated or my health care taken away if we lose the few protections we have. I’m scared to use a bathroom in any public place, because I never know if strangers see me as a man or a woman. I’m scared of what could happen to all of us.
9.45am GMT
Here are some American newspaper front pages on the stunning Trump victory:
The front page of The New York Times, Nov. 9, 2016.
Follow https://t.co/eMyFEYiHno for live updates. pic.twitter.com/zmbtVvir7j
Our front page for Wednesday:
HOUSE OF HORRORS: Trump seizes Divided States of America https://t.co/KKePm7uBhV #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/HcuYeizg3j
The front page of The Wall Street Journal pic.twitter.com/vFpldfwwqu
Trump triumphs: Here is the front page of Wednesday's Washington Post pic.twitter.com/xKbpEzPNXK
9.34am GMT
The chairman of the Nobel Foundation board of directors, Carl-Henrik Heldin, expressed his dismay Wednesday over the victory of President-elect Donald Trump, reports Alastair Gee in Berlin.
“I’m very depressed about it,” Heldin said on the sidelines of the Falling Walls science conference in Berlin.
9.21am GMT
This is a fascinating insight into the development of an American newspaper front page, from Philip Bump, of the Washington Post’s The Fix blog:
The Post’s A1, as it was developed. pic.twitter.com/AXND2pawJ8
9.03am GMT
Vladimir Putin has sent Trump a telegram to congratulate him. The Russian president hopes for joint work to improve US-Russian relations, Russian media report.
Russia has been widely accused of backing Trump in the election, and in Moscow, Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, was jubilant at the result. He said a Trump presidency would mean more chance that the US would agree with Russia in Syria, and less American backing for “the terroristic junta in Ukraine”.
Alexei Venediktov, the editor in chief of Russia’s liberal Echo of Moscow radio, said some in the Kremlin are probably celebrating now, but other “more serious” people will realise there are unpredictable times ahead.
“Putin doesn’t like unpredictability and Trump is the definition of unpredictability,” he said. “They celebrated Brexit, and then Boris Johnson became foreign secretary, and they thought, ‘Oh God, what is this?’”
These relations serve for the benefit of both the Egyptian and American people. We have always stated that choosing the president of the United States is the choice of the American people, and Egypt respects this choice. We stand ready to work closely with the new President of the United states for the benefit of both countries and peoples.
8.56am GMT
Here’s Donald Trump’s victory speech in full.
8.49am GMT
Protests against Trump have broken out in cities across the US, including marches in Oakland, Los Angeles, Portland and New York City.
At the University of California, Los Angeles, there are reports of hundreds of students gathering:
Small police presence right now. One SUV trailing. #UCLA pic.twitter.com/4LU0d9MwVS
A heated protest ensues in downtown Oakland in response to presidential election results. #Election2016 pic.twitter.com/258ciTrsdf
8.39am GMT
More international reaction: Japan, a key US ally, said it would work closely with Donald Trump to ensure stability in the Asia-Pacific region, reports the Guardian’s Justin McCurry in Tokyo
“There is no change to the fact that the Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy, and Japan will cooperate closely with the US for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world,” the chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told reporters shortly before Trump was confirmed as president-elect.
8.31am GMT
The Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has just tweeted:
“My congratulations to Donald Trump on his victory. We will keep working to reinforce the relationship that binds us with the US, an indispensable partner.”
Mi enhorabuena a Donald Trump por su victoria. Seguiremos trabajando para reforzar la relación que nos une a EEUU, socio indispensable. MR
8.25am GMT
Donald Trump’s path to the presidency – in pictures
Related: Donald Trump's path to the US presidency – in pictures
8.17am GMT
Nicky Woolf here, taking over from my heroic colleague Tom McCarthy as America begins to face - and Europe begins to wake up to - the realization that Donald Trump is now the president-elect of the United States of America.
Europe waking up means European markets are also waking up. Japan’s Nikkei has already taken a precipitous drop upon learning the news; stay with us for reactions and aftershocks on this most historic of moments.
8.08am GMT
Reactions:
Trump leaves the stage to You Can't Always Get What You Want
That was Trump's stump speech minus attacks on Hillary, building that wall, locking her up and anything about Muslim immigration.
The $1 trillion infrastructure spending spree passed by the GOP Congress is going to be something ...
8.06am GMT
Trump keeps thanking. The secret service. NYC law enforcement. “It’s been what they call an historic campaign,” he says.
“But to be really historic, you have to do a great job. And I promise you that we will not let you down. We will do a great job.
8.02am GMT
Trump thanks senator Jeff Sessions, saying “he’s as smart as you get.”
“Great man.”
And by the way Mike Huckabee is here someplace.
General Mike Flynn.
7.59am GMT
Now Trump thanks Melania and “Don and Ivanka and Eric and Tiffany and Barron – I love you and I thank you. And especially for putting up with all of those hours. This was tough.
“You’ve all given me such incredible support,” he says. Then he thanks his staff – “and Kellyanne and Chris and Rudy and Steve and David – we have got tremendously talented people.”
7.57am GMT
Trump describes a “national project of renewal”. He says he will gather the best and brightest. “We will double our growth and have the strongest economy in the world. At the same time, we will get along with all other nations willing to get along with us.
“America will no longer settle for anything less than the best. We must reclaim our country’s destiny, and dream big, and bold and daring.
7.54am GMT
Trump says the government will serve the people.
“Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation,” he says. “I’ve gotten to know our country so well. Tremendous potential... every single American will have the ability to realize his or her potential...
7.52am GMT
The crowd won’t let Trump speak, chanting: USA!
“Sorry to keep you waiting, complicated business,” Trump says. “Thank you very much.”
Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division... I says it is time for us to come together as one united people.
I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important for me.
7.49am GMT
Trump is walking around the stage with strings swelling in the background. Barron his youngest son is next to him, Melania Trump next to her son.
Trump goes to the lectern and shakes Pence’s hand, and hugs his family members.
7.48am GMT
There’s Trump with the whole family.
Here’s a live video feed:
7.47am GMT
Pence thanks his family. He says he’s “deeply grateful to the American people for placing their confidence in this team... and I’m mostly grateful to the president elect, whose leadership and vision will make America great again.”
Here comes Tump.
7.46am GMT
Pence: “this is a historic night. The American people have spoken, and the American people have elected their new champion. America has elected a new president. It’s almost hard for me to express, the honor that I and my family feel... [to be] vice president of the United States of America,”
The crowd is excited, chanting USA! USA!
7.45am GMT
Here’s Mike Pence.
7.43am GMT
Here’s our breaking news story on the Trump victory:
Donald Trump wins presidential election, plunging US into uncertain future https://t.co/TgWuHtgE7w
7.40am GMT
Both CNN and NBC have reported that Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump to concede the race.
Developing...
7.38am GMT
The New York Times’ Nate Cohn sees Clinton winning the popular vote while losing the electoral college. For what it’s worth. Which isn’t much.
Here's the outstanding vote (We expect Clinton to take the lead in the popular vote) pic.twitter.com/HcVRGbZ7YW
7.37am GMT
Thank you for helping to Make American Great Again #Trump2016 #Trumptrain
Newspaper endorsements... don't matter.
President Brexit
There we go. History.
7.33am GMT
The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs is at the Trump party at the midtown Marriott:
People at Trump Party now singing "Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye"
7.32am GMT
BREAKING: Donald Trump is elected president of the United States. pic.twitter.com/OIJcRFNOGY
7.31am GMT
Donald Trump has won the state of Wisconsin, the AP projects.
7.30am GMT
What’s taking so long in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin? Absentee ballots may not yet be counted, with the same true for provisional ballots, which can be cast for example if a voter’s registration cannot be confirmed at a polling place at time of voting. They still count if they square with voting records checked later.
.@chucktodd explains @NBCNews will not call WI, MI, or PA yet in large part due to unknown absentee ballots, provisional ballots, etc.
7.24am GMT
About 50 people are gathered outside Trump Tower: people who support Trump, people who don’t support Trump, and people who just didn’t have anything better to do.
There are about 15 people wearing Trump caps, and there have been a couple of low-key arguments. Both ended with impassioned shouts of “Lock her up”.
Looks like Trump just left Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/wHZlV4wBmN
Trump is two minutes out from the Hilton, per pooler @SopanDeb. @seanspicer tweeting Trump about to take the stage.
Trump has arrived at his election party, a campaign official says.
7.16am GMT
The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs continues to rub shoulders at the Donald Trump party at the Marriott:
Deafening boos right now at Trump party as Podesta speaks
And now people at the Trump party are heckling the press because the race hadn't been called
7.14am GMT
7.12am GMT
One of the last two outstanding senate races has ended with a Republican victory. Incumbent Roy Blunt has survived by the skin of his teeth and will be heading back to Capitol Hill, along with Pat Toomey, Ron Johnson, Richard Burr, Marco Rubio, John McCain and others.
Do those others include Kelly Ayotte, whose New Hampshire race is still too close to call?
7.08am GMT
With that, people are leaving the Javits center. The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino:
Podesta sends everyone home, says there will be more updates tomorrow pic.twitter.com/Ru2ok9CHzM
7.07am GMT
What do you make of that Podesta statement? “No more to say tonight” – but there’s a real possibility that Donald Trump could cross 270 electoral votes in the coming minutes or hours. Making him president-elect.
7.05am GMT
Podesta, the Clinton campaign chairman, tells the Javits Center to go home:
“I know you’ve been here a long time.
6.59am GMT
Guardian readers in the US have been sharing how they feel about the result so far. Here’s a selection of voters who aren’t happy with how it’s turned out.
I feel like this flies in the face of everyone who thought there would be a ‘moral correction’ that would right the ship we have been on this entire election cycle. The level of disillusionment and anger that people have right now is quite terrifying. Once again we were lied to by the polls, in a global trend of polls becoming less accurate. The very future of the principles that once made this country unique are now severely threatened. I don’t know how we are going to explain this to future generations.
Naren, Georgia
I am devastated. I no longer recognise my country. How could Trump’s message of hate, misogyny, and racism resonate with so many people? I am baffled, and saddened. I’m afraid for the future of our country, and for the future of my friends. Will my LGBTQ friends still be able to marry the people they love? Will my husband get laid off? Will my Muslim friends get deported? Will the economy collapse? What will happen to the environment? Will we go to war? I just can’t believe that this is the real world.
Rachel, Washington
We treated his campaign as if it were an extension of his reality show. We tuned in, we clicked links, we laughed. For months so many of use did not take it seriously. We joked about his hair, wife, family, business and tweets. He gained coverage, notoriety, traction as a serious candidate to so many jaded and marginalised citizens. “Make America Great Again” is the slogan of those who feel they have less because others have gained and asked for more. As a black female I occupy a unique corner of American society. Despite having no parents, I went to college. A Trump win is a loss to me. My ancestors had to fight so hard for the rights I have, rights Trump voters believe I have no claim to. How much harder will I have to fight? My children? Grandchildren? My friends? The only positive I can see is that we can no longer as a country deny the systematic and social racism, sexism and patriarchy.
Mariah, Pennsylvania
6.55am GMT
The first political reaction in France came from the far-right Front National’s Marine Le Pen, who is running for president next spring. Le Pen, who has long said Trump’s politics were in French interests, congratulated the “free” American people.
Félicitations au nouveau président des Etats-Unis Donald Trump et au peuple américain, libre ! MLP
Marine Le Pen's most senior strategist: "Their world is collapsing. Ours is being built" #Trump #ElectionNight https://t.co/Ot6yTbZZFv
6.54am GMT
A show of fortitude from Clinton supporters at the Javits center:
Supporters are clapping to Ain't No Mountain Enough - an early morning show of resilience pic.twitter.com/jTHSYqPY1H
6.51am GMT
Here’s a touch more detail on Podesta’s trek from hotel to event site, via the press pool:
He said “Hello you guys” and mentioned he was headed to Javits.
Asked if Hillary Clinton was also headed that way, he said: “No, I’m headed over.”
6.48am GMT
The Clinton campaign chairman heads for the site of the election night “party.” Sans candidate.
John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chair, just left the Peninsula hotel. Asked if HRC was headed over, he said, "No. I'm headed over."
"CALL IT!" chant at Trump HQ, directed at Fox News.
6.44am GMT
“Stunning rebuke,” yes that sounds right.
There's no hiding what a stunning rebuke this reality of what voters want is to almost every single expert analysis, data point, etc
It's real.
6.41am GMT
6.39am GMT
Donald Trump has won the Keystone state and its 20 electoral votes, the AP reports, rocketing him toward the White House. He’s at 264 electoral votes and ahead in counting in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona, any of which makes him president.
6.30am GMT
Here’s Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, with a list of things she contends turned out to be true (is the fourth actually true? who knows, now):
Things that were true: undercover Trump vote; @mike_pence for VP; Hillary's floor & ceiling r same; rally crowds matter; we expanded the map
6.28am GMT
Still plenty of people in the room though for Clinton:
A disheartened Javits Center tonight pic.twitter.com/Ls7EfqleVf
6.27am GMT
Times Square.
Times Square is just a silent sit-in now. No cheering. Just waiting. pic.twitter.com/9jFp3G1Hi4
6.26am GMT
“The red tsunami.”
Jon Ralston is the dean of Nevada journalism who once again called all the state’s races correctly, and early.
The red tsunami hit NV today, too. But the Reid machine had banked enough Democratic votes as sandbags to hold it off in president, #nvsen.
Again, as we try to figure out what went wrong with the polls, I think this is probably a pretty good starting point. https://t.co/iDPJYNGSYh
Here's a map: R overperformance in red. Not random. In fact,errors correlate with the non-college educated white share of the population 8/ pic.twitter.com/pZS1jX1yoP
6.21am GMT
Note that there are two senate races yet to be called: New Hampshire and Missouri. Both potential Democratic pickups, still – though control of the chamber is now out of reach.
6.21am GMT
Independent candidate Evan McMullin had hoped to win Utah, stop Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump from earning 270 electoral college votes, throw the election to the House of Representatives and barge his way in to the White House.
That didn’t happen. Trump won Utah, for a start. But McMullin’s election night party in Salt Lake City was strangely cheerful. Maybe it helped that the former CIA operative and his followers knew the odds were nearly insurmountable.
6.19am GMT
Readers continue to share their reactions as the night unfolds. The tone now is one of shock and anxiety about the likely implications of a Trump presidency.
Grim. Sad. For so many of us. Not just here, but around the world. People have opted for a scam, a gimmick. No policies were offered by the Republican candidate except those of meanness, selfishness and more ugliness. I’m ashamed of what this says about us. We are a better people than this. This surge of snarly nationalism is sweeping the world, and I had hoped that we would stand fast against it. But so far it looks as though decency is having a failing night.
I am currently at home with my family. We are terrified of a Trump/Pence presidency because we have both legal and illegal immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and a great many women who are concerned about reproductive rights.
I have never been more disappointed and terrified in my life. I am so afraid for what is going to happen to our country and what will happen to my friends.
Man. I've never voted for a democrat president, and I voted Libertarian this time. I'm going to be sick if this holds up.
6.18am GMT
Republican Pat Toomey has been reelected to the senate from Pennsylvania, the AP announces.
That’s a bad sign for Clinton in the state.
BREAKING: Republicans retain control of the Senate with victory in Pennsylvania.
6.13am GMT
Donald Trump may win the White House in the electoral college but lose the popular vote.
Trump on pace to win on a populist uprising but potentially losing the popular vote as he does
6.12am GMT
Clinton supporters continue to leave the Javits center.
Back of the room at Javitz has really emptied out. pic.twitter.com/PGCfXqJs2N
Clinton is going to address an empty room. https://t.co/vpuPi87Fdi
6.12am GMT
Hillary Clinton’s staff has provided no updates to the press assigned to cover her in four hours. The Guardian’s Sabrina Sidiqqui is holed up on the third floor of the Peninsula as the one reporter assigned to capture Clinton’s movements throughout the day.
The campaign has gone silent with aides nowhere to be found at the Javits Center. Meanwhile, Clinton continue to watch the returns come in from a suite at the Peninsula.
6.08am GMT
Florida’s Hispanic voters turned out in force for Hillary Clinton, but their numbers were ultimately insufficient to prevent the state’s 29 electoral college votes slipping into Donald Trump’s hands by a slim margin.
Trump won stronger than expected backing from the Sunshine State’s rural northern counties and in the Tampa/St Petersburg area, far surpassing the performance of Republican candidates in any recent election.
6.04am GMT
The morning paper...
Final edition of tonight's paper pic.twitter.com/d2w6O2zNFu
6.03am GMT
Trump is turning in strong numbers across Pennsylvania, compared with Mitt Romney four years ago:
Trump margins vs Romney: Westmoreland County: +13k; Lancaster: +2k; Berks: +17k; York: +8k
5.55am GMT
Here’s video from inside the Jacob K Javits center earlier:
5.52am GMT
The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino is at the Javits center:
Asked a Clinton supporter how he's feeling. "It's scary and troubling."
One more shot from the main hall of Javits - again, this place was packed earlier pic.twitter.com/5U1KDwN6C9
A view from outside as Clinton supporters on edge pic.twitter.com/u5up6o6Mbv
5.46am GMT
The Huffington Post will no longer sign off all articles about Donald Trump with a reminder to readers of his flaws, Politico reports.
Since January, every story on the HuffPost website about the Republican candidate has concluded with this endnote:
Editor’s note: Donald Trump regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims – 1.6 billion members of an entire religion – from entering the US.
The thinking is that (assuming he wins) that he’s now president and we’re going to start with a clean slate.
If he governs in a racist, misogynistic way, we reserve the right to add it back on. This would be giving respect to the office of the presidency which Trump and his backers never did.
Our reason is simple: Trump’s campaign is a sideshow. We won’t take the bait.
5.45am GMT
We’re waiting for four close fights to play out, in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Hampshire. Clinton probably needs the first three, although she could theoretically survive if she loses Wisconsin and wins the rest, plus perhaps Nebraska’s second congressional district, which would be good for one electoral vote.
But there are troubling signs for Clinton in Pennsylvania, where a Democrat has not lost for the last six elections. The race is extremely tight, but precincts left to report, including Lebanon county, have in the past showed Republican leanings, and could hand Trump the race.
5.43am GMT
Carroll Shepard, a Florida voter, came to New York with her three children to celebrate her retirement - and what she hoped was the election of the first female president.
“I never thought he would win,” Shepard said, as she and her daughter took a respite from the dismal news playing across every screen in the Javits Center. One of her daughters wore a striped seat-sucker pantsuit in honor of Clinton’s favorite ensemble.
5.38am GMT
The senate race in Missouri is a cliffhanger. That’s saying something considering there’s a Republican incumbent and Trump has won the state, showing a 23-point lead with 78% reporting.
But state secretary of state Jason Kander, a military veteran who cut a campaign ad in which he assembled a rifle blindfolded, is giving incumbent Roy Blunt a close run, and could beat him:
Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver comes out on stage to say "it's not over" in race between Jason Kander and Roy Blunt. pic.twitter.com/Qfsdr2Uf3f
5.32am GMT
California is sending minority leader Nancy Pelosi back to the House of Representatives, AP reports. She’s won reelection.
5.31am GMT
5.30am GMT
Former Obama political strategist David Plouffe does not know what hit him.
Never been as wrong on anything on my life. Still a beating heart in WI and the 2 CDs. But sobriety about what happened tonight is essential
5.27am GMT
The Republicans will solidly hold onto the House of Representatives, the AP projects, with only minor deterioration of their 60-seat majority.
They’re on track to hold the senate too.
BREAKING: Republicans clinch House majority, extending 6-year lock on chamber, while Dems' gains modest.
5.24am GMT
Hillary Clinton has won Nevada, and its six electoral votes, AP announces. There was strong Hispanic turnout in early voting in the state, enough to sustain her.
5.20am GMT
A tale of two parties:
Related: Mood darkens at site of Hillary Clinton's hoped-for victory party in New York
Related: Trump fans celebrate at New York watch party as election results pour in
5.18am GMT
John McCain, in his victory speech: “One message came through loud and clear in this election, is that Americans want progress now.”
5.15am GMT
A bit of good news for the Democrats – they’ve held onto retiring minority leader Harry Reid’s senate seat in Nevada, with the election of Catherine Cortez Masto, the Democratic state attorney general.
In their attempt to take the senate, Democrats have held Nevada, but picked up only Illinois so far, and failed to pick up Wisconsin, Indiana, North Carolina, and Florida. Waiting on New Hampshire, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
5.15am GMT
Trump loves boasting about Wharton, his Ivy League alma mater. But at an election night party at the Pennsylvania business school on Tuesday night it felt like a wake. “A lot of people stayed home or have gone home,” said MBA student Divya Mayer said of the emptying room.
Ghassan Khara , another MBA student, said he was not a US citizen, but wanted to be. The prospect of a Trump presidency was grim for “people like me who want to call America home”.
5.13am GMT
Some basic notions about the dynamics of US presidential elections – accepted wisdom on the part of many academics, media members and other observers – have been exposed as false, FiveThirtyEight’s Harry Enten points out. We’d add the notion that a campaign needs a strong ground game at the state level to this list:
Things are not true: 1. Blue wall. 2. Demographics are destiny... Didn't think Trump would prove them wrong, but here we are.
People in the crowd at Trump election party were just chanting "Let's get drunk"
5.08am GMT
A couple embraced outside the Javits Center in New York where Hillary Clinton is due to speak later, at the so-called “block party”, which hasn’t felt like much of a party for the last several hours.
The woman wiped a tear from her face and the man stroked her hair.
5.07am GMT
No, Trump supporters haven’t been chanting “We hate Muslims, we hate blacks” at a Manhattan rally.
The rumour comes from a tweet by a British parody account. It has been retweeted over 40,000 times already, including by journalists, enough to get the account trending in India and Malaysia. The account is known in the UK for doing this for all sorts of occasions, usually making false claims about chants at sports events. The fact that it subsequently claimed that the chant was being sung to the tune of “Enjoy The Silence” by Depeche Mode might have been a further clue that it didn’t happen.
5.06am GMT
Trump has scooped up Iowa’s six electoral votes, as it looked he would, the AP reports.
There aren’t many electoral votes left to scoop.
5.03am GMT
ABC News says Trump is taking a break.
Senior sources tell me Trump has left his campaign HQ and is with his wife in their apartment. "He needed a moment, he is taking this in."
5.00am GMT
#ff Ben Jacobs for the latest from the Trump party.
Sean Hannity says he has talked to Trump three times tonight
Stunned atmosphere in Times Square among crowd watching results pic.twitter.com/Tnn8Pj8TuI
4.57am GMT
Trump wins Utah, in another pickup for him that once was subject to doubt, the AP announces. The story in Utah was that Mormons, as conservatively as they are known to vote, could not stomach Trump. But Utah’s six votes have gone to Trump.
4.50am GMT
Here’s the New Hampshire state representative who said Clinton “should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.” At the party, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs reports:
Now spotted at Trump election party, Rep Al Baldasaro
4.49am GMT
4.49am GMT
The Guardian’s Lois Beckett finds a Brit in Philadelphia, who shares his view:
It's Brexit again, the Brit in the bar tells me. "People here still don't believe that Trump has won. Trump has won this election."
4.47am GMT
Casting a glance back at Pennsylvania, an underperformance on Clinton’s part especially in the working-class counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna, as well as the southwest, has her in trouble – but she’s well behind Obama’s numbers in Philly too.
Obama won Scranton PA w/ 63% in 2012. Hillary got only 50. That's the story.
Sometimes, the story behind an election feels pretty muddled. But with results like this... https://t.co/W1KoOUkOLN
4.42am GMT
Clinton update: she’s watching the returns, the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui reports:
An aide says Hillary Clinton is still at The Peninsula watching returns. No further updates at this point.
4.41am GMT
And now Vermont, home to socialist Bernie Sanders, has elected Republican Phil Scott governor, the AP announces. Scott’s a centrist and former lieutenant governor and state senator, a well-known quantity in the Green mountain state.
4.38am GMT
We don’t know what the appetite is out there for any kinds of polling or stats, right now, but it appears that many voters in Wisconsin told exit pollsters that they voted for a candidate they viewed unfavorably.
in the WI exits, Trump was viewed unfavorably by 63% of voters, but he won 21% of those voters who don't like him.
4.36am GMT
Trump has won the state of Georgia, AP projects. That’s 16 more electoral votes for Trump, and another piece of the puzzle that once seemed in play for either candidate, which now seems, in retrospect, perhaps not to have been in play for Clinton.
We’re still watching Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
4.33am GMT
Clinton has won Washington and Oregon, AP projects.
Those are solid wins, expected, but not enough if she can’t hold in the upper Midwest and in Pennsylvania.
4.32am GMT
There’s a jubilant atmosphere in Trump Bar, the watering hole in the lobby of Trump Tower.
When Fox News called Ohio for Trump at 10.30pm a cry of “USA! USA!” rang out.
Crowd in Trump Bar (in Trump Tower) reacts to Trump winning Florida pic.twitter.com/R9en6AdgER
4.31am GMT
Progressive star Zephyr Teachout has lost her race for an upstate New York congressional seat to incumbent Republican John Faso, AP projects.
Another blow in a difficult night for progressives.
4.30am GMT
Nigel Farage, the leader of the Britain’s anti-EU UK Independence party, is once again drawing links between the Trump campaign and Brexit:
Looks like 2016 is going to be the year of two big political revolutions @realDonaldTrump. Would be bigger than Brexit! pic.twitter.com/jqANN6UU49
4.26am GMT
4.26am GMT
Ron Johnson, a Republican, has retained his senate seat in Wisconsin, the AP announces.
That seat, once upon a time, was supposed to be an “easy” pickup for Democrats. It topped many lists of the easiest pickups for them, along with Illinois, which the Democrats managed to nab.
4.23am GMT
Canada’s immigration website has crashed multiple times, according to news reports (it was very slow for this reporter).
Officials do not appear to have addressed why the website is crashing – no updates appeared on Canadian immigration officials’ social media – but many election watchers presumed traffic is slowing the site down following Trump’s lead in electoral votes.
4.23am GMT
Liz Cheney has won Wyoming’s at-large House seat, as expected. It’s the seat her father used to hold.
4.22am GMT
Eyes are glued to the TVs around the Javits Center in New York, where Hillary Clinton is due to speak later, as the returns roll in showing a much closer than expected race.
The mood has dropped markedly. Where supporters started the night with the wind at their backs, hours later the the returns are showing a much different picture.
4.18am GMT
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose police force in Maricopa county, Arizona, has been repeatedly found to practice racial profiling, and who faces criminal charges, has been defeated.
Arpaio has been a major Trump supporter. It is unclear what the disposition of justice department investigations of Arpaio would be under a Trump-appointed attorney general.
4.16am GMT
This is a difficult blow to team Clinton. She had looked strong in North Carolina polls, and the state’s moderate Republican and numerous educated white voters were thought to be prime crossover candidates for her to snap up. In short, a Clinton win in North Carolina owing to Trump’s unique unfavorability among centrist voters, it was thought, would secure the state for her.
Not the case. North Carolina awards its 15 electoral votes to Trump.
4.12am GMT
Here’s the Guardian’s Jon Swaine filming a crowd of Trump supporters in Ohio, the moment his victory there was announced:
4.11am GMT
The big picture right now is simple and clear: Hillary Clinton is in trouble. The states to focus on are Pennsylvania (20 electoral votes), Michigan (16) and Wisconsin (10). If Clinton loses either of the larger states, she’s finished. She has a path to an 269-269 electoral tie if she loses Wisconsin – but she would have to win New Hampshire, which hasn’t been called yet.
And an electoral tie, after passing through a thicket of constitutional logistics, likely represents a win for Trump, owing to a strong Republican majority in the House of Representatives and retained Republican control of the Senate, which looks very likely.
4.04am GMT
Donald Trump has won Idaho, the AP projects. Once more as expected. Four more electoral votes for Trump.
4.03am GMT
Clinton wins Hawaii, the AP projects. As expected. Four electoral points.
4.02am GMT
Here’s how the red hats (at the midtown Marriott) feel about Trump winning Florida:
Reaction at Trump party as Florida is called pic.twitter.com/vh7oR6GRDw
4.02am GMT
Based on the Senate results alone, this is a Republican cycle. With Evan Bayh’s early loss in Indiana and Marco Rubio’s early win in Florida, the trend is clear. No matter what happens in the presidential contest, and that race is just in the balance, the voters have turned to the right since 2012. The only exception so far is solidly blue Illinois, which was also the only bright spot in 2004, when one Barack Obama sailed through another GOP year.
4.01am GMT
The Guardian’s Lois Beckett is in Philadelphia, where the race for Pennsylvania is tight, with many Republican-leaning areas yet to report:
Philly bar. Older man in an Eagles jacket asks, cheerfully, if the Trump party has started yet. "They never said he could do it."
3.58am GMT
Polls are about to close in California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii (and part of Idaho).
All thought to be solidly Democratic. California being the electoral giant, with a whopping 55 electoral votes to deliver.
3.56am GMT
The fear at the Javitz Center in New York, where Hillary Clinton is due to greet the results lat