DONALD TRUMP'S VICTORY SPARKS PROTESTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

While Donald Trump is looking forward to a meeting at the White House, it seems not many are taking his victory at becoming the next soon-to-be sworn-in US President after incumbent President Barrack Obama leaves office in a couple of weeks as reports from the BBC revealed that thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of several US cities to protest, shouting slogans such as “Not my president" against the election of ‘the man of the moment’ Donald Trump with a few others burning orange-haired effigies of the business tycoon who will become the 45th US president after securing a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton which left many still looking stunned.

Trump is due to meet Obama for talks which would be aimed at ensuring a smooth transition even as he urged all Americans to accept the result of Tuesday's election notwithstanding the fact that he had campaigned against Trump branding him "unfit" for office adding "we are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country" even as defeated Hillary Clinton also concurred and told supporters to give Trump a "chance to lead".

 

However, despite their calls to give Trump a "chance to lead", protesters still gathered in several cities across the country.

In New York, thousands marched on Trump Tower, voicing their opposition to Mr Trump's policies on immigration, gay rights and reproductive rights. Fifteen people were arrested; the New York Times reported.

Police earlier erected concrete barriers and other security measures outside the 5th Avenue skyscraper, which is likely to be Trump's headquarters during the transition to power.

In Los Angeles, a mass anti-Trump rally shut down a key freeway near the city, according to local media.

In Chicago, crowds blocked the entrance to Trump Tower, chanting: "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascists USA" and "Not my president!"

American flags were burned at some protests and in Portland, Oregon, demonstrators temporarily closed an interstate highway. Demonstrations also took place in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco, among other cities.

Meanwhile, Donal Trump in his victory speech in the early hours of Wednesday, vowed to "bind the wounds of division", after an acrimonious election contest, and to be "president for all Americans".

White House spokesman Josh Earnest has insisted Mr Obama will be sincere about ensuring a smooth handover when he meets Trump, although he added: "I'm not saying it's going to be an easy meeting."

The president-elect is expected in the White House on Thursday morning accompanied by his wife, Melania, who will have a meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House residence.

Mr Obama, who congratulated his successor in a phone call in the early hours of Wednesday, said it was "no secret" that he and Mr Trump had pretty significant differences.

But he added that "we all want what's best for this country" and he was "heartened" by what he heard in Mr Trump's remarks the night before.

Mr Trump's transition team for the 10-week period until inauguration will be led by Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey.

The president-elect, who has never held elected office, has said his immediate priorities will be restoring the country's infrastructure and doubling its economic growth.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said: "Donald Trump is taking this very seriously," adding that the business mogul's deal-making ability would enable him to quickly "make things happen for the American people".

 

50 PROMISES BY DONALD TRUMP! WILL HE DELIVER?

While Real estate magnate Donald J. Trump is celebrating his election as the next president of the United States, I couldn’t help but ponder on the  publication by IBT a few hours ago on some of his proposed policies and opinion on several contentious issues which includes more jobs and better international trade deals that support American workers all of which must have inspired voters across the country.

Below are 50 of the campaign promises Trump and his surrogates made along the 2016 presidential campaign trail, via various interviews with the media, campaign rallies and his campaign website:

1.     Trump will work to fully repeal the defense sequester and submit a new budget to rebuild the military.

2.  The next White House administration will increase the size of the U.S. Army to 540,000 active duty soldiers.

3. Trump vowed to rebuild the U.S. Navy toward a goal of 350 ships, as the bipartisan National Defense Panel has recommended.

4.    Trump will ensure the Mexican government pays for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, including a "big, beautiful door" to allow entry for legal immigrants. 

5.     The United States Marine Corps will grow to 36 battalions.

6. Trump will modernize the Navy's cruisers and procure additional, modern destroyers to counter the ballistic missile threat from Iran and North Korea.

7.   Trump’s White House will uncover all cyber vulnerabilities, protect all vital      infrastructure and create a state-of-the-art cyber defense and offense system.

8.      Trump’s administration will conduct a full audit of the Pentagon.

9.      Trump will end all unnecessary and “unwanted” federal programs.

10. The next administration will work to keep college tuition costs low in order for universities to receive crucial tax breaks.

11. Trump will add an additional federal investment of $20 billion toward school   choice.

12. The Trump administration will “advance America’s core national interests,  promote regional stability and produce an easing of tensions in the world.”

13.  Trump will end the current administration’s alleged efforts for international regime change.

14.  Trump will work with Arab allies and friends in the Middle East in the fight  against ISIS.

15.  The next administration will create joint and coalition military operations to defeat ISIS and expand intelligence sharing to disrupt and disable their propaganda and recruiting.

16. Trump will create new screening procedures and vetting processes to defend against domestic terror.

17.    Trump will ban Muslims from entering the United States.

18.  Trump will ban immigration from regions of the world experiencing high-volumes of terrorism.

19. Trump will create a Commission on Radical Islam to identify signs of        extremism and educate Americans on radical Islamic beliefs.

20.     Trump has vowed to defeat the ideology of “radical Islamic terrorism” entirely.

21.     The Trump administration will repeal Obama’s milestone health care legislation, the Affordable Care Act.

22.    Trump will replace Obama’s healthcare initiative with Health Savings Accounts.

23.  The Trump administration will work with Congress to create a patient-centered health care system that promotes choice, quality and affordability.

24.   Trump will allow citizens to purchase health care options across state lines.

25. Trump will ensure new jobs are first offered to American citizens instead of immigrants.

26.  The jobs, wages and work security of the American people will be of Trump’s highest priorities.

27.   Trump will curb all uncontrolled foreign worker admissions.

28.   Trump has vowed to make the U.S. entirely energy independent.

29. Trump will employ America’s alleged $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil and natural gas reserves.

30.   America will be completely removed from any involvement with OPEC.

31. The Trump administration will open onshore and offshore leasing on federal lands, eliminate moratorium on coal leasing and open shale energy deposits.

32.   Trump has vowed to create 500,000 jobs a year through energy initiatives alone.

33.  Trump has also vowed to increase American economic output through the use of American natural gas reserves.

34. The Trump administration will rewrite the tax code to allow working parents to deduct from their income taxes child care expenses for up to four children and elderly dependents.

35. Trump will allow parents to enroll in tax-free dependent care savings accounts for their children or elderly relatives.

36. The Trump administration will provide 6 weeks of paid leave to new mothers before returning to work.

37.  Trump has vowed to create 25 million jobs over the next ten years.

38.  The GDP under Trump will grow by 3.5 percent on average each year.

39.Trump will defend the Second Amendment and will not support further gun purchase reform legislations.

40. Trump will immediately review all U.S. cyber defenses and make adjustments where needed.

41. The Trump administration will demand the Department of Justice create Joint Task Forces throughout the U.S. to coordinate federal, state and local law enforcement responses to cyber threats.

42. Trump will order the secretary of defense and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff to provide recommendations for enhancing U.S. Cyber Command, with a focus on both offense and defense in the cyber domain.

43. The Trump administration will ensure expanded access to health care for      veterans, as well as fire corrupt executives working for the Veterans Administration.

44.   Trump will deport immigrants living illegally in the United States.

45.  The Trump administration will rewrite the entire regulatory code to ensure that we keep jobs and wealth in America.

46.    Trump will immediately repeal all illegal and overreaching executive orders.

47.     Trump will repeal the Waters of The U.S. Rule.

48.     The Trump administration will remove the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

49.     Trump will decrease the “bloated government” after an agency review.

50.     The Trump administration will invest in a “serious missile defense system” to protect from terror.

Now, it is hoped that as Trump prepares to announce cabinet members, advisors and those who will help him transition from the private to public sector, it’s up to him and his future administration to put his proposed agenda into effect as that is what voters will be looking forward to. They expect the business billionaire to ensure he fulfills the promises he made along the campaign trail. His views on several key issues, from immigration reform to combating terrorism domestically and abroad, greatly contradicted his rival, Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as the current White House administration under President Barack Obama.

AND SO TRUMP WON! WHERE ARE ALL THE "IF TRUMP WINS, I WILL ..." PEOPLE?

Now with the American 2016 Presidential election over, we are reminded again, more than ever before that in Politics anything and I mean anything can happen. Did I get a few others concur?

I can only imagine Soyinka keeping to his promise and many others who said one form of “if Donald Trump wins, I will…” Donald Trump has taken America and the whole place is coloured ‘RED’ and his party members are popping champagne as you read this. Such is life!

Hillary Clinton no doubts gave Trump a good ‘run for his money’ and that of his party members, her name has gone into the history books as one woman who almost became the first female President in America. If only all those who sang her praises during the campaigns truly went out en masse and voted. It’s just a repeated case of “Jonathan will win…Jonathan will win in 2015” yet after all said and done, more than half of all those who were chanting Jonathan’s praise either did not vote for him or did not  go out to vote at all. Politics is so filled with interesting dynamics, intrigues and most of all, confused people.

I almost had blood pressure and so did many others while the votes were counted and results released as if it was my country. No doubts, America affects every one of our lives in one way or the other. The world stood still for this election as nearly every country seemed to have a stake in the outcome.

Congratulations to Trump anyway even as the world awaits your work and policies in taking America to the next level.

I was reading some of Trump’s comments made during the campaigns and was even more alarmed that inspite of the so many uncouth statements and declaration from this ‘man of the moment’ he was still loved by many. The results speak volumes and how much he is loved. People can never be entirely trusted. When they say they love you, think again because they just may be implying the very opposite.

Once again, politics is an interesting world filled with confused people!

WHAT’S NEXT IN AMERICA?

Big question!