November 10, 2016

Donald J. Trump, American president-elect

On November 8, millions of Americans stood in line to vote in their country’s presidential election. As they did, the world watched and waited. The U.S. is the world’s largest economy. Its mili-tary forces are better equipped and far stronger than those of other countries. Often, the president is said to be the most powerful person on the planet.

The following day, it was confirmed that Donald J. Trump had beaten his ri-val, Hillary Clinton. The news flashed around the world. Few expected him to win. The result, many said, was a “politi-cal earthquake”. Others described it as the biggest political upset in America’s 240-year history.

Mr. Trump, who is 70 years old, is a wealthy businessman. He has ncver been a politician. Mr. Trump first declared that he would be “running” for president 17 months ago. Then, many people laughed,

or thought that it was a joke. Those who did greatly underestimated Mr. Trump. They also misunderstood the mood and concerns of millions of American people.

Presidential elections in the U.S. take place every four years. A person can serve as president for a maximum of eight years, or two successive four-year terms. This meant that Barack Obama, who won the elections in 2008 and 2012, could not stand again this time.

The Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties in the U.S. Selecting their candidates for an election takes a long time. The process began nine months ago. It is often called “the race for the White House”. This build-ing is in Washington DC, the country’s capital. The White House is where the president lives and works.

To select the Republican and Demo-crat presidential candidate, or nominee,

D O N A L D T R U M P W I N S

November 10, 2016

each American state organizes a vote. Most states only allow regis-tered members of the two parties to take part. Voting is held in different states on different dates. The contests are spread over a five-month period. The first usually takes place in Iowa.

Mr. Trump has made most of his money from property. His company owns large office blocks and big ho-tels. The businessman is outspoken. He often says things that shock or upset many people. Yet his support-ers admire him for saying what he thinks. They claim that most politi-cians are too afraid to do this.

Mrs. Clinton was President Obama’s secretary of state for four years. This person is one of the U.S.’s most important politicians. While secretary of state, Mrs. Clin-ton used a private email server. It is unlawful for senior government workers to do this. Many emails she received or sent were classified, or secret. Private email servers are not secure. An investigation was ordered. Mrs. Clinton was criticized for what she did but not punished.

Many Americans complained about Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton. Both were unpopular. Some said that they would not vote for either. Others believe that Mr. Trump is not quali-fied to be the president. Yet they also think that Mrs. Clinton is untrust-worthy. Many senior members of the Republican Party declared that they would not vote for Mr. Trump.

After winning their nominations, Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton trave-led around the country. They did this to try to persuade people to vote for them. Both attended hundreds of rallies. At many, Mrs. Clinton insulted Mr. Trump and Mr. Trump insulted Mrs. Clinton.

Mr. Trump became well known for his slogan “Make America Great Again”. He made some unusual pledges, or promises. Building a wall along America’s border with Mexico and making friends with Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, were two. The wall, Mr. Trump explained, would stop illegal immigrants from entering the country.

Before the election, nearly all political forecasters, news reporters

and politicians predicted a Clinton win. The results from each state were announced throughout the night. As the numbers added up, people realized that the contest was close. Then, early in the morning on November 9, Mr. Trump had won.

Mr. Trump is now president-elect. He will officially take over from Mr. Obama as America’s 45th president on January 20, next year.

Florida(29)

Louisiana(8)

Mis

siss

ippi

(6)

Georgia(16)

Alabama(9)

South Carolina (9)Arkansas(6)

Texas(38)

North Carolina (15)DC (3)

Tennessee (11)

New Mexico(5)

Oklahoma(7)Arizona

(11)

Kentucky (8)Virginia (13)

Maryland (10)

Delaware (3)Kansas

(6)Missouri

(10)

WestVirginia

(5)Colorado

(9)

New Jersey(14)

Indi

ana

(11)

Ohio(18)

Nevada(6) Utah

(6)California(55)

Rhode Island(4)

Connecticut (7)Pennsylvania(20)

Illinois(20)

Massachusetts (11)

Nebraska(5)

Iowa(6)

Wyoming(3)

New York(29)

Vermont (3)

NewHampshire (4)

Michigan(16)

South Dakota(3)

Oregon(7)

Wisconsin(10)

Maine(4)

North Dakota(3)

Idaho(4)

Montana(3)

Washington(12)

Minnesota(10)

Mexico

Canada

Can

adaRussia

Alaska(3)

Hawaii(4)

States won by Donald Trump (Republican)States won by Hillary Clinton (Democrat) Number of Electoral College votes(x)

As at 10th November3 states undeclared

Clinton 228Democrat

Trump 290 Electoral College votesRepublican

270to win