US election: An anxious night for both camps

After all of the tough talking, pledges, promises and controversy, it was never going to be anything but an anxious election night in the US.

America and beyond on edge, waiting to find out if it was Trump or Clinton getting the keys to the White House.

A musical protest

In the final hours, a group of Mariachis from Mexico made a musical protest outside Trump Towers in New York.

Trump’s campaign has stirred things up in Mexico, with his verbal attacks on migrants and threats to build a border wall.

“(We perform) to have a good time because this election has been very sad and it has had a big impact on all of us,” said Mariela Navarro, a Mariachi musician from Mexico.

“So this is an opportunity to experience some happiness now that the election is coming to an end.”

Across the border

Over the border, in a bar in Mexico City, US expats were glued to TV screens – as results started pouring in.

American citizens in Mexico largely backed Clinton.

“I think we’re just as nervous here as they are in the United States. We’re very nervous we want it to be over and we want her to win,” said Julie Guliano, as she awaited the election outcome.

Trump nets Florida

There were celebrations back in the big apple, as supporters at Trump’s headquarters heard that he had taken the key battleground state of Florida.

Things were looking good for the Republican presidential candidate.

Brexit number 2?

At the US embassy in London, it was a Brexit-style shock all over again.

Trump’s series of wins in battleground states being compared to the UK’s historic vote earlier this year to leave the EU.

“All of my British friends (said) there’s no way Brexit could happen, and I as a foreigner thought you know what, I think this is gonna happen. Because it has a deeper disconnect at heart,” commented Josh Pearson, a musician from Texas.

“There are some people who really feel do feel disenfranchised and feel their country and their world is slipping away – they don’t want that to happen, and definitely the same thing is happening in America.”

It’s getting hot in here…

In Philadelphia, Democrats gathered at a hotel to see the election results come in and, as they did, the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

“It’s a little closer than I think a lot of people expected. But also a lot of the states that are expected for Clinton at least, the results haven’t come in yet,” said Christina Simeone, a Democrat from Philadelphia.

“And so I expect the results to change from where they are now. But yeah, definitely a little anxious.”

Clinton is trumped

Later, in New York, Clinton’s campaign chairman told supporters, waiting for her to speak, to go home.

It was all over for the Democrats, Hillary had been trumped by Trump.

For all those who have backed Clinton during her fierce battle for the White House, a realisation set in that she will not be becoming America’s first female president. And that is a bitter pill to swallow.