Electoral college confirms Trump as US president amid nationwide protests
DONALD Trump has won the Electoral College vote despite protests across the US – ensuring he will become America’s 45th president.
An effort by anti-Trump forces to persuade Republican electors to abandon the president-elect came to practically nothing and the process unfolded largely according to its traditions.
The tycoon tweeted: “We did it!” He added: “Thank you to all of my great supporters, we just officially won the election (despite all of the distorted and inaccurate media).”
Even one of Mr Trump’s fiercest Republican rivals, Ohio Governor John Kasich, said it was time to get behind president-elect.
“We want unity, we want love,” Mr Kasich said.
With all states voting, Mr Trump finished with 304 votes and Mrs Clinton had 227. It takes 270 Electoral College votes to win the presidency. Texas put Mr Trump over the top, despite two Republican electors casting protest votes.
Befitting an election filled with acrimony, thousands of protesters converged on state capitols across the country.
More than 200 demonstrators braved freezing temperatures at Pennsylvania’s capitol, chanting: “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!”
In Madison, Wisconsin, the protesters shouted, cried and sang Silent Night.
In Augusta, Maine, they banged on drums and held signs that said “Don’t let Putin Pick Our President,” referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
With all Republican states reporting, Mr Trump lost only the two electors in Texas. One voted for Mr Kasich and the other for veteran Texan politician Ron Paul.
Mrs Clinton lost four electors in Washington state – three voted for former Secretary of State Colin Powell and one for Native American tribal leader Faith Spotted Eagle. She also lost an elector in Hawaii to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
A joint session of Congress is scheduled for January 6 to certify the results of the Electoral College vote, with Vice President Joe Biden presiding as president of the Senate.
Once the result is certified, the winner – almost certainly Mr Trump – will be sworn in on January 20.