(CNN) Everyone said it wouldn't happen. Everyone was wrong.

Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.

Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.

Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," Trump said, referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.

Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.

Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."

Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."

Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.

Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.

The Trump family poses for a photo in New York in April.

The Trump family poses for a photo in New York in April.

Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.

Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.

Trump appears on stage with singer Nick Jonas and television personality Giuliana Rancic during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.

Trump appears on stage with singer Nick Jonas and television personality Giuliana Rancic during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.

Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.

Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.

Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.

Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.

Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.

Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.

For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.

For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.

Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.

Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.

Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.

Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.

Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. Three separate lawsuits -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.

A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.

A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.

An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."

An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."

Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.

Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.

Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.

Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.

Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump has published at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."

Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.

Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.

Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.

Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.

Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump wears a hard hat at the Trump Tower construction site in New York in 1980.

Trump wears a hard hat at the Trump Tower construction site in New York in 1980.

Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.

Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.

Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.

Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.

Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.

Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.

Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.

Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.

Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.

Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.

Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.

Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.

But a campaign initially dismissed as a joke -- The Washington Post's Dana Milbank promised Thursday to honor his vow to eat his column in penance -- confounded the pundits to such a degree that all bets are off about how the rest of the 2016 campaign might unfold. Even Trump himself seemed surprised by the swiftness at which he locked down the nomination. In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer Wednesday, Trump said he expected Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton to finish her primary campaign before him.

'Thought I'd be going longer'

"I'm even surprised," Trump said. "I thought I'd be going longer, she'd be going shorter."

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But the grind of presidential politics leaves no time for savoring victory.

In his first full day as the presumptive nominee, Trump's campaign had to quickly shift gears from a primary fight to a search for a running mate . Meanwhile, Trump faces a host of new questions about his prospects against Clinton in the fall , including whether his unorthodox approach to winning the GOP primary will translate into a general election battle against one of the biggest names in politics.

"It is a big challenge but he has already defied every single thing of political gravity that we have known," said Mike Shields, former Chief of Staff for the Republican National Committee.

"Who's to say that he can't do all of these things and then some," Shields said on CNN's "New Day."

Trump is starting from a tough place.

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A new CNN/ORC poll on Wednesday found that Clinton leads Trump 54% to 41% in a potential general election match-up -- her biggest lead since July. She is more trusted than him on issues ranging from foreign policy to education and health care.

Still, by a 50% to 45% margin, voters say Trump would do a better job handling the economy than Clinton. And almost 9 out of 10 voters in the poll called the economy extremely or very important to their vote, outranking any other issue tested in the poll.

The political skills that Trump brought to the primary fight could prove potent in a race already shaping up as a bitter, nasty personal clash with Clinton.

After all, the tough tactics from the political neophyte disrupted one of the most experienced Republican fields in a generation. He destroyed the political hopes of Jeb Bush with his "low energy" jibe . Trump's brawling tongue also obliterated -- at least for now -- the potential of the GOP's next generation of political rock stars, "Lyin" Ted Cruz and "Little" Marco Rubio.

He's trying to take a similar approach to Clinton, dubbing her "Crooked Hillary."

Revolutionizing campaigns

With an unerring eye for a rival's weaknesses, he revolutionized how campaigns are won, becoming a master of social media, hijacking news agendas with skills honed on a reality television and a mastery of targeted marketing.

And with undeniable political skill, Trump -- a multi-billionaire with a Boeing equipped with gold seat belts -- became an earthy cypher for ignored blue collar Americans who revile conventional politicians as they struggle to get by in a wounded economy.

Using just a few issues, like illegal immigration, the toll wreaked on industrial communities by free trade and by playing into a wider sense of national decline with his "Make America Great Again" message, Trump made himself an unstoppable political force. His bite was so intimidating that by the time competitors such as Bush, Cruz and Rubio mustered the courage to lambast his past, his character and his politics, their campaigns were already faltering.

Clinton may not make a similar mistake. In an interview Wednesday with CNN's Anderson Cooper , she showed no problem hitting Trump.

"He's a loose cannon," she said. "And loose cannons tend to misfire."

JUST WATCHED Hillary Clinton: Donald Trump 'is a loose cannon' Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Hillary Clinton: Donald Trump 'is a loose cannon' 01:07

And deeper questions also lurk around Trump. They begin with: What will the rest of America think?

Even though, in recent primaries, Trump lifted his vote totals easily above the 50% mark, his core support in the blue collar Republican electorate still represents a minority of opinion in a nation that is becoming more diverse and less white.

That's fueling questions about whether Trump has already inflicted fatal damage on the Republican Party's hopes of winning back the presidency after eight years. After its defeat to President Barack Obama in 2012, the GOP determined it needed to do more to reach out to women, minorities and socially moderate voters, or risk being washed up by the tides of demographic change sweeping the country.

Rock-bottom approval ratings

Yet Trump enters the general election with rock-bottom approval ratings among Hispanics, African-Americans and women voters -- and appears to need a mythically large turnout from white American males if he is to prevail in November.

His rudimentary policy platforms will come under increasing scrutiny, like the apparently unspecified plan he says will destroy ISIS within months.

It's the same story for his fiscally questionable promises to simultaneously cut taxes, raise military spending, take care of veterans, safeguard social safety net programs and eliminate the national debt.

Then voters will have to decide if they are willing to elect a President whose impact is already reaching far beyond the nation's borders, triggering palpable concern abroad at the prospect of 70 years of the post-World War II international order being torn up by a foreign policy neophyte brandishing an "America First" slogan.

Trump will be the first major party nominee not to have served in major elected office since Dwight Eisenhower. Though given Eisenhower's status as a national hero for masterminding the military defeat of Nazi Germany, a more apt comparison to Trump might be the New York businessman Wendell Willkie, a former Democrat who was nominated by the GOP in 1940.

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Trump's critics worry that his political rhetoric on issues from immigration to women's rights take American politics closer to the dark fringes of demagoguery than it has been for decades.

The Democratic barrage -- playing into such fears -- has already begun.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren went on the attack soon after Trump's triumph in Indiana on Tuesday, tweeting that Trump built his campaign on "racism, sexism, and xenophobia" and that what happens next "will determine whether we move forward as one nation or splinter at the hands of one man's narcissism and divisiveness."

But Trump may not be the only victim of a negative campaign.

A no-holds-barred race in which both presidential nominees rake over the other's substantial political baggage could leave the eventual winner irrevocably damaged and facing a disabled presidency from the start.

Many Democrats believe that Trump's victory in the GOP primary means they are almost certain to keep the White House. However, as the past year has proven, they would be unwise to underestimate the power of Trump.