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### Good Morning and Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of *White House Watch*
The results are in: Donald Trump is returning to the Oval Office, having shattered the Democrats’ “blue wall.” For ongoing updates, check our live blog. As America and the world absorb the outcome, let's dive in.
Americans have taken a sharp rightward turn, embracing Trump’s populism, strongman approach, and nationalist agenda.
Trump’s remarkable comeback marks the beginning of a new era for both the US and the world. His presidency is set to shake up American democracy, US alliances, and global markets alike.
Compared to his 2020 performance, Trump made significant gains across 48 of the 50 states. His new coalition — anchored by strong support from men, non-college educated voters, and increased backing from minority communities — dismissed concerns over his controversial rhetoric, misogyny, and xenophobia.
Trump is on track to win the popular vote, marking the first time a Republican president has done so since George W. Bush in 2004. He made unexpected strides in traditionally blue states like New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, while flipping Miami-Dade County in Florida. He boosted his vote share in nearly 90% of the country’s counties.
Despite expectations, abortion rights failed to mobilize Democratic voters in key battlegrounds. Trump broke through the “blue wall” by flipping Pennsylvania, the biggest prize, and following that up with a decisive victory in Wisconsin — clinching the presidency.
In his victory speech from West Palm Beach, Florida, near his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump declared, “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
With Republicans controlling both the White House and Senate, Trump is poised to advance his controversial policies: imposing tariffs on a broad range of imports, challenging longstanding US alliances, and cracking down on illegal immigration. The House is still undecided, but the GOP appears set to retain its majority, creating a governing trifecta.
The next step for the president-elect is assembling his cabinet. Expect a roster of unconventional picks, including loyalists like Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose bet on Trump’s comeback now seems to have paid off.
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**Transitional Times: Latest Headlines**
- Economists warn that Trump’s policies could reignite inflation, despite his promise to lower prices. [Free to read]
- The US dollar surged to an eight-year high, while Wall Street was poised for gains as investors anticipated a new era of tariffs and tax cuts.
- After the costliest US general election in history, graphic journalist Sam Learner breaks down where all the money went.
- At Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, even the president-elect was taken aback by the margin of his victory. Here’s how the day unfolded in Palm Beach.
- Voting in several states was disrupted by bomb threats, which the FBI traced to “Russian email domains.”
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**What We’re Hearing**
Trump’s victory is expected to upend US foreign policy, bringing unpredictability and possible disruption to the global order.
As the world absorbed Trump’s win, leaders from around the globe offered their reactions:
**UK:**
Six years ago, David Lammy called Trump a "woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath" and a "profound threat to the international order." This morning, Lammy, now the UK’s Foreign Secretary, congratulated Trump, stating the British government would “look forward to working with you,” signaling an effort to repair ties.
**Iran:**
Trump’s first term saw the US withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. His second term is expected to intensify confrontations with Tehran. Iranian spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani commented that the identity of the US president “will not affect the Iranian people’s livelihood,” suggesting that US policies toward Iran are unlikely to shift significantly.
**Israel:**
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s return to the White House as a “powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” following months of public tension between Netanyahu and President Biden over Gaza policy. Far-right Israeli ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, expressed enthusiasm about Trump’s return.
**Ukraine:**
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on his “impressive election victory” and expressed hope that his leadership would contribute to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukrainian debt rallied on expectations that Trump’s second term would speed up peace negotiations.
**EU:**
European leaders called for greater unity in light of the US election results. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto urged EU members to prioritize their own security, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of European unity and cooperation with the US under Trump.
**Taiwan:**
President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence that Taiwan’s longstanding partnership with the US would remain “a cornerstone for regional stability” under Trump, noting the increased global challenges the world faces.
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**Viewpoints**
- *Edward Luce* argues that Trump’s re-election is an existential disaster for Democrats, heralding a new world for US allies.
- *Katie Martin* of the *FT* examines what investors should do now that Trump’s victory is confirmed.
- *Elizabeth Spiers* explores how Trump’s appeal to masculinity transcends electoral cycles. (NYT)
- The *Wall Street Journal* editorial board writes that Trump’s resilience and Biden’s failures paved the way for his return to the White House. (WSJ)
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