Donald Trump wins 2016 presidential election

Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States.

Surprising pollsters, the Republican candidate passed Sec. Hillary Clinton in electoral votes as he won important swing states like Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He ultimately earned 279 electoral votes, and Sec. Clinton won the popular vote by about one percent. 

Both Sec. Clinton and President Barack Obama called Trump to congratulate him before they addressed the nation on Wednesday afternoon. In both of their speeches they stressed the importance of a peaceful transition of power.

In his acceptance speech Trump adressed republicans, democrats and independents saying, "It is time to come together as one united people."

The president-elect will be sworn in Jan. 20, 2017.