Donald Trump is the next president of the United States.

We can’t believe we’re writing this sentence, but Donald J. Trump has been elected as the 45th president of the United States of America.

The billionaire businessman/former star of The Celebrity Apprentice today secured his seat in the oval office, after surpassing the required 270 college votes.

The Republican’s victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton was clinched by razor-thin wins in crucial battleground states including Ohio, Florida and North Carolina.

While Clinton won’t be conceding publicly tonight at her New York HQ, Trump told his supporters that she had telephoned him to congratulate him on his victory.

Delivering his victory speech in his home state of New York, Trump thanked Secretary Clinton for “a hard-fought” campaign.

“We owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country,” he said. I mean that very sincerely.”

President-elect Trump called for Americans to “come together as one united people” and  begin “the urgent task of rebuilding the nation”.

“America will no longer settle for anything less than the best,” he said. “We must reclaim our country’s destiny and dream big and bold and daring. We have to do that. We’re going to dream of things for our country, and beautiful things, and successful things, once again.”

Widely dubbed an “unpopularity contest”, the 2016 race is set to go down as the most divisive and controversial in US history.

While Clinton failed to overcome the tidal wave of discontent caused by the FBI’s 11th-hour revival of an investigation into her professional use of a private email server, allegations of criminal conduct against Trump weren’t enough keep him out of the White House.

The real estate tycoon was accused of sexual assault by no less than 10 women, while another raised allegations he raped her at a party when she was just 13 – however, that suit was mysteriously withdrawn on Monday.

Hear Mia Freedman, Rosie Waterland, Jessie Stephens and others debriefing about the US election on a special Mamamia Out Loud bonus episode.

Oh, and there was the whole “pussy” tape thing. We doubt you missed that one, but just in case…

The Washington Post last month published a recording taken in 2005 in which Trump can be heard telling Access Hollywood reported Billy Bush that his wealth and fame meant he could touch women on the genitals without their consent. Or in his words, “They let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy.”

That prompted his first and only apology of the campaign, in which he passed off his comments as “locker-room banter”.

Yep. That’s the new leader of the free world.

Trump and Secretary Clinton at the second presidential debate. Image: Getty.

It's been a long road to the White House for Trump. The rookie Republican first announced his candidacy for the top job back in June last year - nearly 17 months ago.

Spouting the slogan "Make America Great Again", the father of five ran on a handful of core platforms, namely illegal immigration, keeping American jobs onshore, national debt and counter-terrorism.

Some of his key campaign promises include the now infamous wall along the US-Mexico border, the temporary banning of visas for people from "nations tied to Islamic terror", and a repeal of Obamacare (which was designed to make health insurance more affordable for those who weren't provided it by their employer).

A political novice, Trump is the first president without prior government or military experience, which, depending on your point of view, is either terrifying or quite impressive.

President-Elect Donald J. Trump will be sworn into office in January next year.

Good luck, America. We're thinking of you.