So, after 18-months of bruising campaigning, we’ve been Trumped.
Whilst there are some on both sides of the pond who are still celebrating there is no doubt that many others are still in a state of disbelief, if not despair.
It has been fascinating to watch and listen to the analysis of victory and defeat. Surely a lame and tarnished opponent seen as a representative of an unresponsive and detached establishment has a great deal to do with it.
The defection of the traditional Democrat-supporting blue collar workers in the Rust Belt and lukewarm support of black voters for Hillary were also significant.
Undoubtedly the right wing populism of the billionaire TV personality also struck a chord.
Perhaps it was the perfect storm and an accident waiting to happen for the Democrats. But whatever “the times they are a changing” and not in the way Bob Dylan envisaged.
Business impact
There are a couple of aspects of the Donald’s astonishing achievement worth considering.
These are business pages so it is valid to ponder the likely impact on the US and world economies.
It seems to that the only certainty at the moment is uncertainty. If the new President does as he says, cancels existing trade agreements (free or otherwise) and adopts a protectionist policy then we could be in trouble.
There is a real chance that the impact could be felt on our own doorstep. Part of the reason for the global oil glut which has depressed oil prices over the past two years is weakened demand from China.
Mr Trump has made his views on China abundantly clear during his campaign. Therefore, we must consider the impact any degradation of relations between these two enormous economies would have.
If the president-elect makes it more difficult for China to sell its goods, he could trigger a further downturn in the Chinese economy, which could further weaken oil demand.
It is highly likely that this would see oil prices falling back to the $30 level we saw at the beginning of 2016 – or perhaps even lower.
Not what the world wants – and definitely not what the north-east of Scotland wants.
Economic reality
He also says that he is embarking on a massive spending programme of renewing the country’s infrastructure.
But wait a minute, for that he will need to raise taxes or borrow more, both of which he has said he won’t do.
And as you know his view is that “only stupid people pay taxes”. He certainly hasn’t done so for the last seven years.
I think we may have to wait and see but keep our fingers firmly crossed.
Perhaps more worrying is the man himself. He is without doubt a right wing reactionary.
He is about to become the 45th President of the world’s only super power. We can only hope that the dignity of his office and the influence of more sensible Republicans in the Senate and House will moderate his behaviour.
Many have spoken against Donald and his disgraceful pronouncements and I sincerely hope they will have the courage to do so once he becomes the most powerful man in the world.
Nearer to home I have found the retroactive criticism of our First Minister’s decision last December to strip Trump of his role as a business ambassador for Scotland both sad and depressing.
I think that decision was a last straw, following a stream of intemperate comments, when he sought to alter immigration policies for Muslims entering America.
That decision was absolutely right at the time, it is right now and will still be right even when after he takes office. I appreciate that the source of criticism is from the usual suspects of the “SNP bad” brigade but even they really should know better
There are historical lessons to be learned here. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
I sincerely hope that there are enough good men (and women) in the US corridors of power who will not be intimidated by the Donald and will stand up to him.
Or that he is not as bad as he would lead you to believe he is.
