Newsletter Archive

Election experts are trying to figure out how Donald Trump defied most poll projections to score a decisive electoral victory over Hillary Clinton. The Republican was able to win states that have favored Democrats in past elections. The day-after analysis shows Trump’s support came from surprising places.

One party rule: President-elect Donald Trump will have Republican majorities in both the House and Senate when he takes office in January, boosting chances for enacting major items on his agenda. One of the first things on his list could be trying to repeal Obamacare.

Although Hillary Clinton didn’t win the presidency, one American woman did make history yesterday. Somali-born IIhan Omar, 34, a former refugee, was elected to the Minnesota state legislature, making her the country’s first Somali-American lawmaker. Omar, who proudly wears the hijab, says her election is a victory for every Somali, Muslim and minority.

As president, Donald Trump could transform American policy and America’s position in the world. Candidate Trump vowed to tear up trade agreements and force NATO members to pay their fair share. World leaders view Trump’s election as a leap into the unknown.

‘The Trump Surprise’ is how one African newspaper referred to the Republican’s win. Some in Africa welcome the victory because they believe Trump will stand up to dictators. In Kenya, where President Barack Obama has familial roots, VOA learns many hoped Hillary Clinton could carry on his legacy, but they were prepared for disappointment.

Russia warmly welcomed Trump’s election victory. VOA gauged reaction in Moscow, where there is hope a new page in relations with the United States is about to be written. State media clearly favored Trump in its reporting, but his win came as a shock to Russians who believed the American elite would steal the election.

In the Mideast, Trump’s election is being met with head scratching as leaders there struggle to understand what a Trump presidency will mean for their countries. The president-elect hasn’t specified what he’ll do in Iraq, but he has spoken about working more closely with the Kurds. During the campaign, Trump reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Iran and also pledged to be more neutral in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. However, as VOA reports from Iraq, it’s still a guessing game.

Asia uncertainty: The election of Donald Trump as the United States’ next president not only raises huge questions about America’s relations with China, but also with U.S. allies in the region. Trump attacked China’s trade policies on the campaign trail and pledged to get tough on Beijing on his first day in office. Yet some see Trump’s election as both good news and bad news for China.