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Despite having only been elected in the early hours of this morning, the Republican candidate is already facing his first major decision over calls for Mr Assange to be cleared over sex assault allegations. WikiLeaks has long sought to expand privacy rights and has strongly opposed secret wiretaps, drone strikes, and the Guantánamo Bay prison facility.

GETTY Trump has been called on to pardon Assange

Mr Trump, on the other hand, has suggested “closing up the internet” and had often wondered aloud whether the US should consider using nuclear weapons more often. However despite their differences, the two men have been brought together by the race for the White House.

Thousands of private e-mails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chair John Podesta were leaked last month, soon after the leak of a video of Mr Trump making vulgar comments about women in 2005. Mr Assange claims he wanted to “change the conversation”, but as Mr Trump continued to be accused of sexism several extra batches of e-mails were released, with WikiLeaks promising more leaks. Now Trump supporters, who are still celebrating his historic win last night that saw him secure 279 votes in the electoral college, say the WikiLeaks activist should be pardoned for helping to bring home the victory. It would be an unprecedented and controversial move as Mr Assange is facing an arrest warrant for allegations of rape in Sweden.

REUTERS Donald Trump won the historic election today

Hundreds of social media users have gone online to demand Mr Trump takes action immediately to pardon the activist, who remains holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. James Thomas said: “Julian Assange is a hero. Trump should pardon and make him Press Secretary.” Patrick Savalle said: “Mr. Trump, now show some real balls and pardon Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning and most of all your chief campaigner Julian Assange.” Twitter user Chrysostomos said: “Has Trump been in touch with Julian Assange about a possible pardon? I think many would be happy to lobby him for one.” Duke Rivers tweeted: “Mr. President-Elect Trump: may I make a suggestion? Pardon Assange. The value of his work is clear by now.”

GETTY WikiLeaks released thousands of emails from the Clinton campaign

Justin Petaccio said: “Julian Assange & his team have earned a pardon from President Trump. None of this would have been possible without WikiLeaks. Thank You.” Walter Krumholz said: “Trump ought 2 pardon Assange & drop all charges against him; invite him 2 America, if he chooses. Truth will out.” Multiple threads dedicated to Mr Assange receiving a pardon have also been created on discussion forum Reddit. User FluffyBunnyHugs said: “And while he has the pen in hand, pardon Snowden too. “They have both performed a great service to the American People and should be lauded as Heroes. I think a ticker tape parade is in order.”

Mr Assange has shone a bright light on the corruption of those who presume to rule us. Petition calling on Trump to pardon Julian Assange

CorruptClinton said: “I was thinking about this earlier. Republicans have a history of going after whistle blowers... “However, Julian clearly helped his cause and Trump is a loyal guy (supposedly). Julian is a hero not a criminal.” Another added: “I really hope Trump pardons whistle blowers like Assange, Snowden, etc. It would be a great moment in US history.” Supporters have even set up a petition calling for the pardon to go ahead as soon as possible, with more than 230 people signing in the last 13 hours.

European leaders and politicians react to Trump’s election win Wed, November 9, 2016 After Donald Trump won the US election he made this statement “We will get along with all the nations that get along with us." we look at how Europe reacted to the shock victory of Trump Play slideshow Getty 1 of 16 After Donald Trump won the US election he made this statement “We will get along with all the nations that get along with us." we look at how Europe reacted to Trump's triumph

It reads: “Julian Assange has been persecuted and harried by the very people he has sought to expose for their lies and deceptions against the people of the world. “Mr Assange has shone a bright light on the corruption of those who presume to rule us. “We believe Mr Assange must be granted a presidential pardon absolving him of any crimes alleged against him. “He is a hero and must be honoured as such.” It is unclear how supporters expect Trump to pardon Mr Assange, who is hiding from extradition from a European Arrest Warrant. In a statement released yesterday, Mr Assange's organisation defended the release of the Clinton e-mails which came at a crucial point in the White House race.

GETTY A petition was also set up to 'free' Julian Assange