Donald Trump defied nearly every pollster and pundit on Tuesday, sweeping key swing states in the Rust Belt on his way to becoming the 45th President of the United States.
Most national polls showed Trump trailing by 3-4 points to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as polls opened Tuesday morning, but the New York businessman turned states from blue to red across the upper Midwest en route to at least 274 Electoral College votes.
Trump picked up key wins in Florida and Ohio early in the evening. He followed up those wins with coming from behind in Pennsylvania to pick up the state’s 20 Electoral College votes. Trump is the first Republican nominee since 1988 to win the Keystone State.
He clinched his victory with a win in Wisconsin, a state that has voted Democratic in every election since 1988.
"It’s time for us to come together as one united people. I pledge that I will be a president to all Americans," Trump said to his supporters Wednesday morning.
Trump also spoke to those who have not supported him in the past.
"I’m reaching out to you for your guidance your help so we can work together and unify our great country.”
“This is a historic night. The American people spoken and the American people have chosen their new champion,” Vice Presidential elect Mike Pence said. “I’m deeply grateful to the American people for placing their trust in this team and giving us the opportunity to serve.”
Clinton campaign chair John Podesta told a crowd in New York that she would not speak to her supporters Wednesday morning.
"Everyone should head home, get some sleep," he said.
CNN reports that while she will not speak Wednesday morning, she has called Donald Trump to concede.
“I’ve just received a call from Sec. Clinton. She congratulated us … on our victory,” he said. “She fought very hard.”
Trump will become the first person to win the presidency without previously holding elected office or serving in the military.
