While European leaders offered President-elect Donald Trump muted congratulations on his win, the continent's media may their feelings known with a series of outraged and bewildered front pages.

French president Francois Hollande warned that the Republican's election meant Europe faced a “period of uncertainty” but offered his congratulations “as it is natural to do between two heads of democratic states”.

Meanwhile German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered Mr Trump “close cooperation” on the condition that he maintain respect for the mutual values of “democracy, freedom, respect for the law and for the dignity of human beings, independently of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views” that the two countries share.

But the European media was not so diplomatic with French newspaper Liberation dubbing Mr Trump “American Psycho” – a reference to the book and film about a murderous stockbroker whose hero was the real estate mogul.

Meanwhile German newspaper Die Welt said the world was upside down following the reality star’s victory.

Norway’s Aftenposten went a step further by declaring it was “scared now” and it was hard not to be “when the world has gone crazy”.

Other European newspapers such as Spain’s El Pais highlighted what Mr Trump stood for by saying the US was now in the “grip of aggressive populism”.

The print edition of German tabloid Bild was calmer with a vow to “manage” Mr Trump’s presidency even though its online arm had lead with “how could this happen” for much of Wednesday.

It comes as protests have erupted throughout the US at Mr Trump's election with angry demonstrators chanting "Not My President" outside Trump Tower in New York.

Other demonstrations erupted in the Clinton-supporting West coast cities such as San Francisco, LA, Seattle and Portland.

While rural America overwhelmingly opted for Mr Trump, 31 out of 35 major US cities choose Ms Clinton.

President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpís victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP

Ms Clinton won the most votes overall but Mr Trump's support was spread out across over several states while Ms Clinton's was concentrated in big Democrat voting places like California.