It feels like the start of a bad joke, or the middle of a bad dream. Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States. The Republican candidate, whose campaign was dogged by sexual assault allegations, disparaging remarks about minorities and a noted lack of belief in climate change, won comfortably in the election race against Hillary Clinton, in what is one of the most remarkable – and galling – political events in history.

The Republican candidate saw in his victory after winning some important swing states – Florida, Ohio and North Carolina in particular set the precedent. Pennsylvania and Iowa – which in the past had been certain Democrat strongholds – saw a dramatic switch-up as the former reality TV persona and businessman came out on top. Trump beat out Clinton with 278 electoral college votes out of 538.

The Republicans have also maintained their majority in Congress.

When taking to the stage to make his winning speech to chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!”, Trump told the audience that Clinton had phoned him to concede and congratulate him.

“I've just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us - it's about us - on our victory and I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign,” he stated.

“Hillary is has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country. I mean that very sincerely.”

“So it's been what they call a historic event. But to be really historic, we have to do a great job. And I promise you that I will not let you down. We'll do a great job. We'll do a great job,” he said.

Trump chose to use his speech to talk about America’s war veterans, and hype up his “great economic plan”.

“I look very much forward to being your president. And hopefully at the end of two years or 3 years or 4 years, or maybe even 8 years... we're going to get to work immediately for the American people. And we're going to be doing a job that hopefully you will be so proud of your president, you'll be so proud.

“It's my honour, it was an amazing evening, it's been an amazing two-year period, and I love this country.”