US election results lean towards Trump

US election results lean towards Trump
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has defeated rival Democrat Hillary Clinton in Florida, Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina, inching closer to winning the White House in a shock upset.
2 min read
09 November, 2016

Republican billionaire Donald Trump added key battleground states Florida, Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina to his haul of state wins in the race for the White House bringing the property magnet closer to becoming the next US president.

US television networks projected - dealing a crushing blow to rival Hillary Clinton, who won Virginia, Colorado and California.

At the current count Trump was on 244 electoral college votes to Clinton's 209, with the Republican challenger needing to reach 270 to become president.

Winning one or both of the southern US states was seen as critical to both candidates, but Trump needed Florida - the Sunshine State - to have a viable path to the magic number of 270 electoral college votes.

Millions of Americans turned out on Tuesday to decide whether to send Clinton to the White House as their first woman president or to put their trust in maverick populist Trump.

Clinton - the 69-year-old Democratic former first lady, senator and secretary of state - began the day as the narrow favorite to win the White House and become US' first female president.

But Trump's string of successes reflected how deeply divided the US electorate has become, and showcased his ability to tap into white blue-collar voters' resentment of cultural change, immigration and job losses.

Other battleground states remain undecided, while the uncertainty sent Dow futures and Asian markets tumbling, reflecting investor concern over what a Trump presidency might mean for the economy and trade.

Mexico's peso plummeted over fears that Trump will make good on his vow to wall off the US' neighbour to the south. 

Safe haven assets rallied, with the yen and gold rushing higher, and Wall Street futures fell 3.7 percent in after-hours trade. Asian markets were in turmoil, with Indian stocks dropping six percent.

The 45th president will inherit an anxious nation, deeply divided by economic and educational opportunities, race and culture.

The economy has rebounded from the depths of recession, though many Americans have yet to benefit. New terror threats from home and abroad have raised security fears.

Agencies contributed to this report.