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Donald Trump wins electoral college vote Trump wins electoral college amid nationwide protests
(about 7 hours later)
The US electoral college has certified Donald Trump as president, despite a last-ditch effort to deny him the White House. The US electoral college has certified Donald Trump as the 45th president, despite a last-ditch effort to deny him the White House.
Six weeks after winning the polls, the Republican has secured the 270 votes needed to formalise his victory. Six weeks after winning the polls, the Republican cruised past the 270 votes needed to formalise his victory.
Reacting to his win, Mr Trump promised to "work hard to unite our country and be the president of all Americans". After the result, Mr Trump promised to "work hard to unite our country and be the president of all Americans".
Electors had been flooded with emails and phone calls urging them not to support the billionaire.Electors had been flooded with emails and phone calls urging them not to support the billionaire.
The voting process is usually a formality, but was clouded this year by claims that Russian hackers tried to sway the presidential election. But despite longshot liberal hopes of a revolt by Republican electors, only two - from Texas - ended up voting against him.
Texas ultimately put the president-elect over the 270 threshold, despite two of its electors voting against him. 'No treason, no Trump!'
The New York Times reports that four Democratic electors also cast their votes for someone other than Mrs Clinton. He secured 304 votes, compared with 227 for Hillary Clinton.
It was the Democratic candidate who ended up losing more electoral votes in Monday's ballot at state capitols nationwide.
Five of her electors defected, with three voting for ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell, one for a Native-American tribal leader and another for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
The result will be officially announced on 6 January in a special joint session of Congress.The result will be officially announced on 6 January in a special joint session of Congress.
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"I thank the American people for their overwhelming vote to elect me as their next president of the United States," Mr Trump said in a statement after the result came in."I thank the American people for their overwhelming vote to elect me as their next president of the United States," Mr Trump said in a statement after the result came in.
"With this historic step we can look forward to the bright future ahead. I will work hard to unite our country and be the president of all Americans," he added. "With this historic step we can look forward to the bright future ahead."
Vice president-elect Mike Pence hailed his boss on Twitter, writing: "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump; officially elected President of the United States today by the Electoral College." Vice-President-elect Mike Pence wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump; officially elected President of the United States today by the Electoral College."
He added that he was "honored & humbled to be officially elected today as the next Vice President of the United States of America" - drawing thousands of "likes" and retweets. He added that he was "honored & humbled" to be confirmed as vice-president.
'No treason, no Trump!' The voting process is usually a formality, but was overshadowed this year by claims that Russian hackers tried to sway the presidential election.
The movement to block Mr Trump had fought hard to convince Republican electors to abandon their party's candidate. Millions of Americans signed an online petition stating that Mr Trump was unfit for the Oval Office, while anti-Trump protesters gathered at state capitols across the country.
Millions of Americans signed an online petition to that effect, while thousands of anti-Trump protesters gathered at state capitols across the country. In Pennsylvania, more than 200 demonstrators braved sub-zero temperatures, chanting: "No treason, no Trump!'"
In Pennsylvania, over 200 demonstrators braved sub-zero temperatures, chanting, "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!" and "No treason, no Trump!'" In Maine, protesters beat drums and waved signs saying: "Don't let Putin Pick Our President."
In Maine, protesters beat drums and waved signs saying, "Don't let Putin Pick Our President," - a reference to allegations that Kremlin-backed hackers tried to sway the election in Mr Trump's favour. In Madison, Wisconsin, protesters cried.
Numerically, Mr Trump's opponents never stood much chance. To keep him out of the Oval Office, 38 Republican electors would have had to defect.Numerically, Mr Trump's opponents never stood much chance. To keep him out of the Oval Office, 38 Republican electors would have had to defect.
Even that would probably only have delayed the inevitable.Even that would probably only have delayed the inevitable.
If no candidate reaches 270 in the electoral college, the House of Representatives must vote on the next president, and the Republican-controlled chamber would most likely have chosen Mr Trump. If no candidate had reached 270 in the electoral college, the House of Representatives would have voted on the next president.
How does the electoral college work? The Republican-controlled chamber would most likely have picked Mr Trump.
Mr Trump is scheduled to take office on 20 January.
How does electoral college work?
It was set up by America's founding fathers as a compromise between allowing Congress and the people to elect the president.It was set up by America's founding fathers as a compromise between allowing Congress and the people to elect the president.
Technically, Americans cast votes on election day for electors, not the candidates themselves.Technically, Americans cast votes on election day for electors, not the candidates themselves.
Mr Trump won the majority of these electors - 306 - although Democrat Hillary Clinton secured almost 3 million more votes from the public.
As a result, he won the election.
What is the US electoral college?
The electors are mostly elected officials or party functionaries, and are generally unknown to the public.The electors are mostly elected officials or party functionaries, and are generally unknown to the public.
There are 538 in all, one for each member of Congress. A candidate needs to take at least 270 electoral votes - half of the total plus one - to win the White House. There are 538 in all, one for each member of Congress, plus three for District of Columbia.
In November's presidential election, Mr Trump's 306 electors came from 30 states. Although Democrat Hillary Clinton secured almost three million more votes from the public, Mr Trump won the majority of electors - 306.
Under US law, electors must formally vote for the president and vice-president before they can lead the country. What is the US electoral college?
Mr Trump is scheduled to take office on 20 January.