As the extent of Trump's victory began to sink in - including clear dominance not only in the electoral college but also probably in the popular vote, with at least 71m votes, and control of the US Senate - there were expressions of jubilation among the former reality TV star's supporters.
On the other side of America's ever more gaping partisan divide, confusion and foreboding reigned.
"This is going to be glorious," said Trump's eldest son, Don Jr, summing up the Maga mood on X, the social media platform owned by the billionaire Elon Musk, who played an outsized role in Trump's success.
Democratic and progressive Americans, at least 67 million of whom voted for the Democratic candidate and vice-president, Kamala Harris, struggled to come to terms with the overnight reality.
They were confronted with the fact that Trump's pitch to the American people, built on his dark and lie-packed vision of a country in decline, "swamped" by murdering "illegal aliens", and on the point of a communist takeover, had prevailed.
Van Jones, a political commentator, talked for many when he said people had been waking up "in a nightmare. But we will find a way through."
Trump made little attempt to assuage the fears of those who did not vote for him when he gave a victory speech in West Palm Beach, Florida at 2.30am three hours before the Associated Press officially called the result. He talked of creating a "strong, safe and prosperous America", but also said that he was going to "seal up those borders", and referred to the media as the "enemy camp".
Harris staged a watch party at her alma mater in Washington DC, Howard University, on election night but failed to address the crowd after the prevailing winds of the election became irrefutable.
She gave an address to the nation from the same location yesterday afternoon, saying: "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for.
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Frozen pensions War Veteran says she lost out on £50,000
Anne Puckridge is travelling 4,400 miles on a mission to persuade the government to right a 'cruel' pensions policy, as Rupert Jones reports
Money hacks How to buy preloved items to give as Christmas gifts
Buying preloved often requires more thought and preparation than buying new, so make time to find the perfect gift.
The Filter Best robot vacuums to keep your home clean and dust free
Stuart Andrews trialled the most powerful robot vacuums - some of which even mop your floors - and these are the ones he rates
Checkatrade How do rogue traders get past its checks?
The site says its tradespeople are 'guaranteed', but some customers say they have lost thousands after using it. Anna Tims reports
End of road Vauxhall workers in shock over plant closure
\"I don't have anything good to say about this place right now,\" someone shouts, as workers flood out of the front gates of the Vauxhall van plant on Luton's Kimpton Road.
Hybrid car sales could be permitted until 2035 to ease all-electric transition
Car manufacturers may be allowed to sell Toyota Prius-style hybrid models in the UK until 2035, as the government looks at ways to loosen electric vehicle sales rules.
Royal Mail falling further behind with delivery targets
Royal Mail has failed to deliver about a quarter of first-class post on time in recent months as its delivery performance continues to decline amid an investigation for missing its targets.
'Dirty money' Why people of all ages are investing in crypto
Miles, a 37-year-old NHS doctor from London, has been trying for years to persuade friends to buy cryptocurrencies.
Work Minister's plan to transform the job market
\"This is why I love jobcentres: because they're intensely hopeful places.\" The employment minister, Alison McGovern, has spent half an hour perched on a desk in an office block in Hoxton, east London, hearing from a group of job coaches.
Shoppers bag Black Friday gifts online but in-store sales lag
UK shoppers visited websites in droves to snap up Black Friday bargains, raising hopes the US-inspired promotional day would finally kick-start a festive spending spree.
