Donald Trump's prediction of a "Brexit-plus" electoral shock came true in dramatic fashion earlier today as he swept to victory in the US presidential race.
In a performance that displayed clear parallels with June's EU referendum, Trump bucked the pollsters' forecasts to secure a place in the White House.
Republicans also took control of the Senate and House of Representatives too, meaning the 45th US president will find it easier to get Congress's backing for his plans.
The Clinton camp went to ground long before the 70-year-old businessman was confirmed winner around 3 am Eastern Time. The Democrats cancelled a planned celebratory fireworks display in New York as it became apparent soon after the first polling stations closed that defeat was on the cards.
A Democrat victory party at downtown Detroit Michigan's lavish MGM Grand hotel also turned into a damp squibb as the results filtered through. Michigan had backed a Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1988 but that record appeared under threat from the time the count got underway.
At 5 am ET, long after the presidential result had been declared, the state still did not know how it had voted, with counting continuing and a matter of a few hundred votes separating the two candidates.
President-elect Trump sounded a conciliatory note after Mrs Clinton called him to concede defeat.
In his victory speech in New York, he paid a surprise tribute to his electoral adversary.
"Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country," he said.
"It is time for us to come together as one united people."
Victories in the 'blue wall' states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and at least 26 others saw the Republican candidate secure around 70 more electoral votes than Mrs Clinton.
Democrat targets Georgia, Arizona and Utah remained solidly Republican.
Congratulations to the new president were forthcoming from First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister.
"We are a small region but we are fortunate to have strong historical, economic and political ties to the United States," Mrs Foster said.
"Northern Ireland has developed a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States and I look forward to working with Donald Trump's administration to continue this."
Mr McGuinness said he would work constructively with President Trump "to maintain and strengthen our well established and deeply valued relationship with the United States?.
"Over many years successive US administrations have made a major contribution to both our peace process and economic development and I expect this to continue,"? he said.
"I commiserate with Hillary Clinton who showed unwavering commitment to the north of Ireland as Secretary of State and First Lady."
The SDLP, whose leader Colum Eastwood previously vowed not to attend any White House functions in the event of a Trump victory, has yet to comment.
