VICTORIOUS Donald Trump has returned to his luxury Manhattan apartment after pulling off an extraordinary election triumph that stunned the world.

The President-elect arrived back at his opulent Trump Tower home with wife Melania - after winning a race to the White House he was widely tipped to lose.

36 Election winner Donald Trump arrived back at his apartment block after addressing his supporters a Hilton Hotel in Manhattan

36 Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in a bitter race to the White House

36 Trump waved at reporters after an election victory that has sent shockwaves across the world

The 45th US President watched the results come in from Trump Tower before addressing his supporters from a nearby Hilton Hotel.

The real estate billionaire sent shockwaves across the world after delivering his own "Brexit for America" in a historic victory over Hillary Clinton.

In his first address as President-elect after a bitter campaign, Trump struck a unifying tone in front of crowds cheering "USA, USA".

He said it was "time for America to bind the wounds of division".

In an impassioned speech that continued his theme of reaching out to disillusioned Americans, Trump told a packed-out crowd in Manhattan: "The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer".

He added: "I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important for me". 36

36 President-elect Donald Trump appeared on stage with running mate Mike Pence, left of the podium, and his family after his shock win Credit: Reuters

36 "This movement is really only just beginning": Trump made an emotionally-charged speech after his election success Credit: AP:Associated Press

36 Credit: AP

Trump promised a 'project of renewal' for America, saying everyone would be able to live up to their potential

36 The new President was joined by his family, including wife Melania and son Barron, as he made his way to the podium for his first address Credit: Reuters

His voice cracking, he continued: "It's time for us to come together as one united people. I pledge to every citizen that I will be president for all."

Trump also thanked the secret service and NYC law enforcement, and added: "It's been what they call a historic campaign.

"But to be really historic, you have to do a great job. And I promise you that we will not let you down. We will do a great job.

"While the campaign is over, our work on this movement is really only just beginning.

"We’re going to be doing a job that hopefully you’ll be so proud of your president. It’s been an amazing honour."

Trump added: "And I love this country. Thank you. Thank you very much."

In his first tweet since being elected, Trump posted: "Such a beautiful and important evening! The forgotten man and woman will never be forgotten again."

In a night of high drama, Trump's promise to "Make America Great Again" paid off as millions of voters who Hillary Clinton dismissed as a "basket of deplorables" went to polling stations in their droves to paint the map of the US Republican red.

Trump won the election with 279 electoral college votes against Clinton's 228 with some votes still being counted.

Such a beautiful and important evening! The forgotten man and woman will never be forgotten again. We will all come together as never before — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2016

36 Donald Trump thanked his family for their support, with the President congratulating his defeated opponent Hillary Credit: Getty Images

Donald Trump's victory was marked with his face lit up on the side of the Empire State Building

36 Trump has promised that "Americas forgotten" will not be "forgotten any longer" Credit: Getty Images

36 Trump, who has been accused of sexism and racism throughout a bitter campaign, has promised to be "a President for all" Credit: Reuters

Giving his iconic thumbs up to the delighted crowds, Trump said: "Every single American will have the ability to realise his or her potential."

As supporters of Clinton wept at her “celebration party” in New York, it became clear Trump had pulled off one of the most stunning electoral upsets in history.

Clinton, who was fawned over by an army of high-profile celebrity supporters, was left to concede to her opponent over the phone in an abject humiliation from which she will almost certainly never recover.

Trump said: "She congratulated us, it’s about us, on our victory, and I congratulated her and her family on a very very hard fought campaign.

"She fought it very well. Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude to our country."

Clinton has not yet publicly accepted her crushing defeat but thanked supporters more than four hours after the result was announced.

36 Clinton, pictured here before voting yesterday, had to make a humiliating call to Trump to congratulate him Credit: Getty Images

36 Clinton was widely regarded as having defeated Trump in the three presidential debates, put it proved not to be enough to keep him out of the White House Credit: Getty Images

The failed presidential hopeful is due to speak at roughly 3.30pm UK time.

The Twitter hashtag #whereishillary is now trending on the social media site as Democrats mourn her failure.

Despite losing the election Clinton won the national popular vote and amassed 59,059,121 votes compared to Trump's 58.935,231.

She is the fifth candidate to have won have the national popular vote whilst failing to pick up enough electoral college votes.

In the run-up to the election Trump threatened to hire a special prosecutor to looking into Clinton's "situation".

Trump added: "There has never been so many lies and so much deception".

The President-elect's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has refused to rule if a special prosecutor will be hired.

This team has so much to be proud of. Whatever happens tonight, thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/x13iWOzILL — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 9, 2016

Outgoing US President Barack Obama has formally invited Trump to the White House tomorrow after congratulating him on is victory.

The call would likely have been humiliating for Obama, after Trump spearheaded the birther conspiracy which questioned if he was born in the USA.

Pro-Clinton supporters clashed with Republicans in major cities within minutes of Trump being named President-elect.

Fights have even broken out outside the White House as violence spreads across the US.

Shocking footage has shown protesters burning American flags and setting fire to rubbish in response to the election result.

Throughout his headline-grabbing campaign Trump promised to build a wall to stop Mexican immigrants entering the US, and also proposed a total ban on Muslims entering the country.

36 Donald Trump, who was widely tipped to lose out to Clinton in the race for the White House, promised a 'Brexit plus' disappointment before polling day Credit: Getty Images

36 Republican president-elect Donald Trump walks on stage with his wife Melania Credit: Getty Images

36 Donald Trump greets daughter Tiffany after he won the position as leader of the free world Credit: Getty Images

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has congratulated Trump "following a hard-fought campaign" and said Britain "will remain close partners" with the US.

In a statement she said: "Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

"We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence.

"I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead."

36 Theresa May has said she "looks forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump" Credit: Getty Images

36 Nigel Farage can barely contain his joy as Donald Trump blazed a trial to the White House in the US presidential elections today

36 Putin and Russia were accused of hacking Democrat computers to try and influence the election result Credit: Reuters

36 Donald Trump shared a photo with his family and supporters as he made his way to victory Credit: Twitter/Donald Trump

Nigel Farage couldn’t contain his delight as the billionaire tycoon blazed a trail to the White House this morning.

He said Trump’s near-certain victory will be “bigger than Brexit”.

Russia's strongman President Vladimir Putin, who Trump has expressed admiration for in the past, was the first world leader to congratulate the controversial Republican.

Trump said of Putin in July 2015: "I think I'd get along very well with Vladimir Putin. I just think so."

In a statement today Putin spoke about "building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington, based on principles of equality, mutual respect and each other’s positions, meets the interests of the peoples of our countries and of the entire international community."

36 A woman passes burning garbage during a demonstration in Oakland, California, following the election of Donald Trump

36 Fights broke out outside the White House after the election of Donald Trump

Trump dubbed himself "Mr Brexit", and fought on a ticket to "drain the swamp" of the Washington elite.

His was a call to action to hundreds of millions of mainly white, working class voters who had become increasingly alienated from the political elite - mirroring the millions of Brits who used the EU referendum to send a message to "out-of-touch" MPs in Westminster.

But the reverberations of his victory were already being felt this morning, with world markets tumbling on the news, some predicting the worst day since 9/11.

Violence has also erupted across America this morning after Donald Trump's shock election win.

Pro-Clinton supporters clashed with Trump fans in major cities within minutes of him being named President-elect.

Throughout his headline-grabbing campaign Trump promised to build a wall to stop Mexican immigrants entering the US, and also proposed a total ban on Muslims entering the country.

36 Family of Donald Trump shared a photograph of his supporters nervously watching the results roll in Credit: Twitter/@IvankaTrump

36 Supporters of Hillary Clinton left the hall where they had planned to celebrate her victory after being told to go home Credit: Getty Images

As the controversial and bitter battle for the White House drew to a close this week, Trump had claimed a victory for him would be America's "Brexit plus plus plus" and a delivery of "justice".

On the stage Trump vowed: "America will no longer settle for anything less than the best. We must reclaim our country's destiny and dream big. Working together we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream," before adding: "There will be no dream too big, no challenge too great".

And in a message to foreign powers, he said: "I want to tell the world community, we will deal fairly with everyone. We will seek common ground".

It fell to the state of Wisconsin to seal victory for Trump, taking him past the magic number of 270 college votes to confirm him as President.

The Republicans had grown increasingly confident over the course of a dramatic night of voting, as a string of key swing states fell to the controversial billionaire to deal a hammer blow to Clinton's hopes.

Despite this, her camp initially refused to concede.

36 Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta told tired crowds to go home - refusing to concede defeat Credit: AP

36 Tears for Clinton: supporters have watched as key swing states have gone to Trump Credit: Getty Images

36 A group of women react as voting results come in at Hillary Clinton's election night party Credit: Getty Images

Barely an hour before Trump claimed victory, Clinton's campaign chief John Podesta has refused to concede defeat, instead sending supporters home, saying: "I know you’ve been here a long time and it’s been a long night and it’s been a long campaign, but I can say, we can wait a little longer, can’t we?

"We’re still counting votes and every vote should count. Several states are too close to call, so we’re not going to have anything more to say tonight.

"We are not done... Let's get the votes counted and bring this home."

36 A woman cries and prays as the election results drag on - with Clinton aides admitting the Democratic candidate was prepared for a long night Credit: Getty Images

Earlier in the night, Layne Bangerter, director of the Trump for President campaign told Press Association: "We're not over confident but now we are calling it.

"Florida is over. North Carolina, we're going to win."

He added: "I'm saying it's over- the voice of the people has risen up."

As the results began to roll in, all eyes were on the state of Ohio, which has picked the winning US president in every election since 1964. And its 18 electoral college votes went to Trump.

And more key states would follow with Florida, North Carolina, Iowa, Georgia and Utah.

A string of states across the American Midwest fell the Republicans' way - including Arkansas, where Hillary's husband Bill presided as governor.

36 Trump supporter Tommy Horton of Orlando reacts as Fox News announces Florida is too close to call Credit: AP:Associated Press

36 Voters have washed different states fall to Trump and Clinton alternatively Credit: Getty Images

Former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin visited an election night rally, saying she believed the Brexit vote had shown people were taking "back control" of governments.

She said: "We can't be telling other countries how to sweep their porches if we can't sweep our own.

"We have got to take care of what's going on here."

She said she believed the Brexit ideology had been "bleed(ing) over into America".

She added that Trump would help to strengthen the relationship between America and Britain.

36 Clinton supporters are hanging onto the results of swing states as the votes are counted Credit: Reuters

It was a different story across the Clinton camp, with supporters falling silent as the outcome slowly appeared inevitable.

Flag waving ceases and all mention of Trump voting surges are met with deafening boos.

Late Late Show James Corden tweeted: "Brexit feelings." in response to Trump pulling ahead - summing up the dramatic turnaround success of the Republican candidate.

Canada's immigration site has crashed as the US election results rolled in - apparently due to the sheer numbers researching how to move away from America.

36 Clinton supporters clutch their faces with worry Credit: Reuters

36 Trump's fortunes have changed, to the delight of his supporters Credit: Reuters

36 The Empire State Building was lit with real-time election results and campaign photos during the US Election Day Credit: EPA

In the lead up to the results, Trump had refused to confirm whether he would accept the outcome of the pivotal election, saying "we'll see what happens".

Concerns of voter intimidation and fraud led to a flurry of lawsuits in the run-up to Election Day, and new voter regulations in more than a dozen states also held the potential to sow confusion at polling places.

Trump supporters have complained they were hit with technical glitches while trying to vote, with Republicans saying that every time they tried to make their choice, a Democratic candidate would come up.

Election day was also shaken after five people were shot near a polling booth in Los Angeles.

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