It was referred to by some as “fright night”, with markets jolted by the decision of Americans to elect Donald Trump, 70, as their forty-fifth President. The vote has been described as a stunning repudiation of the political establishment and followed an ugly campaign, punctuated by media leaks and slurs. At an election night party in New York, Trump departed from his blistering campaign rhetoric to call for unity. America and the world will be watching closely to see how long this conciliatory tone lasts.