Despite a scandal-filled campaign, Trump managed to win over Americans who are angry about how country is changing.

He has been called a misogynist, a racist and a serial liar. But yesterday, real estate tycoon and former reality TV star Donald Trump defied the odds to become America’s 45th president-elect.

The 70-year-old Republican nominee shocked the world by defeating his Democratic rival, Mrs Hillary Clinton, 69, a seasoned politician.

As of 1am today, he had 289 electoral college votes to Mrs Clinton’s 218, reported CNN. The Republicans also retained the House of Representatives and the Senate to record a clean sweep.

Mr Trump’s victory defied opinion polls that had Mrs Clinton winning, albeit by a small margin. (See report on Page 6.)

Dr Evan Resnick of The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) told The New Paper yesterday: “It was shocking. It looked like she (Mrs Clinton) was still slightly sufficiently ahead of him to win.

Dr Resnick, who is coordinator of RSIS‘ United States Programme, added: “Mr Trump’s campaign was filled with vicious attacks, making all sorts of wild, ludicrous claims.

… The key will lie in his economic policies, said RSIS‘ Dr Lee Chia–yi, who specialises in international politics.