Had traditional political conventions held, the new President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, would never have progressed further than the early Republican primaries in the race for the White House. A curiosity of a candidate, more entertainer than statesman, and carrying more baggage than DHL, he was shameless in his approach to electioneering. In a world of “triangulated” politics aimed at capturing that elusive “centre ground”, a character as exotic as Mr Trump should have proved unable to come within miles, let alone metres, of the White House. Now, thanks to what was called his “authenticity” and the desperation of some Americans who feel left behind by globalisation, he is making his way up Pennsylvania Avenue. In January, he will take the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States.

Mr Trump was surely blessed in the fatal flaws of Hillary Rodham Clinton and their exposure by the FBI. Without that it is perfectly possible to envisage that Mr Trump would have ended the campaign where he stood before FBI Director James Comey decided to tell Congress Ms Clinton was being investigated for breaches of national security. It was difficult for many Americans to vote for someone who was so obviously going to be unable to devote her full attention to the highest elected office in the Union. Their reticence about doing so was understandable.

President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters

While it can never be proven, it seems that it was her past behaviour as Secretary of State, as well as objections to her personality and the fact of her gender (no male candidate would have been judged quite so harshly on the same qualities or traits), that derailed Ms Clinton’s campaign.

Still, it is a remarkable triumph for Mr Trump when he had so little demonstrable support among female voters, the Latino community and people of colour. One thing that President Trump and his party must do is to heal the rift between his ruling party and the nation to which it bears, in some respects, so little resemblance to. So far there is not much in the new President’s record to suggest that will be high on his agenda.

Like Ms Clinton, Mr Trump may also prove plagued by legal issues in his time in office – he has said he will sue those women who accused him in recent months, a needless distraction. He also has huge national challenges to rise to – not least, the economy. Mr Trump’s fiscal policies are, at best, over-optimistic. At worst, they could slide the US so far into debt that the very stability of the nation’s public finances – and the wider global economy – are threatened. And while America’s friends and neighbours may feel some relief that Mr Trump has a conciliatory attitude to the other global nuclear superpower, there must be many who fear the sacrifices – of other nations’ freedom – Mr Trump will make to keep the US at peace with Putin.