Oxford American Society in ‘disbelief’ of Trump victory
Donald Trump will return to the White House after reaching enough electoral college votes
Donald Trump has reached the required 270 electoral college votes to make the win official, which has left the President of the American Society at the University of Oxford in “disbelief”.
Over here in Oxford, we've been speaking to another President in their own right, Sophia Eiden who's in charge of the American Society at Oxford University.
She said: “I admit I’m still in disbelief and it’s still not fully processed for me.
“I wasn’t the most hopeful going into the election but to see that out country hasn’t repudiated Trump and his actions and has instead embraced it is worrying for me, and I feel quite sad that this is going to be the American reality for the next four years.”
Ms Eiden studies in Oxford and is originally from New York, USA, and she says what it’s like to be away from her family after the election.
She said: “I find it very strange because in some ways we’re insulated from how it is in the US and of course we’re physically away from the US, but it’s a very ominous feeling knowing the impact this is going to have on the rest of the country.
“And being able to be there with them my family would be really nice and it’s what the American Society is hoping to provide in some respect for some students here. Obviously it’s a smaller replacement but it would just provide a bit of a community.”
Promises of a “golden age of America”
Now back over to the USA… In Donald Trump’s speech earlier, the Republican candidate told his supporters that “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate”.
He said that he would not let his backers down and that it is “time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us”, as he looks likely to win the presidency for the second time.
Addressing a campaign party in Florida in the early hours of Wednesday, Mr Trump pledged to “fight” for “every citizen” and promised the “golden age of America”.
He said: “Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body.
“I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”
He added: “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.”
Political congratulations from around the world
Messages of congratulations have already started pouring in from leaders around the world, including Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister said: “Congratulations president-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has also sent his best wishes across the pond.
Speaking to GB News from Florida, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described Mr Trump’s lead in the race as “the most incredible political comeback in any of our lifetimes”.
Mr Farage, who has fostered close links with the Trump campaign, added: “He was down and out in 2020, he has been through the courts, he has been through goodness knows what and here he is just a few hours away from becoming the 47th president of the USA.”
The UK Government has been working hard to win over Mr Trump in case of his re-election, after a trans-Atlantic spat developed in recent weeks over Labour Party volunteers heading to the US to campaign for his rival.
Former Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson has voiced concerns about what the result might mean for global affairs, telling Channel 4 News: “The thing that really worries me right now is Ukraine and the future of democracy in that country.
“I think there is a risk whatever happens in this election that there will be a disaster in Ukraine.”