Donald Trump, a 70 year old billionaire defeated the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in a path to victory that has become clearer after wins in key swing state including Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. 

Donald Trump said as he addressed supporters in Midtown Manhattan after his victory, "I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past - of which there were a few people - I'm reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so we can unify our great country."

Trump had endured the nail biting wait for the results surrounded by his five children: sons Donald Jr., 38, Eric, 32, and Barron, 10, daughters Ivanka, 35, and Tiffany, 23, alongside wife Melania, 46, and some of his grandchildren.

Trump has long been considered an unconventional choice for the country's highest office, taking many departures from the standard road to the White House. 

He praised foreign leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticized American allies. His campaign was self-funded. He relied on a team of relatively unknown advisors, including press secretary Hope Hicks, who had formerly handled publicity for his daughter Ivanka's luxury lines. 

Trump's wife, Melania barely joined him on his campaign trail and appearing only on his debates and only made just one campaign speech concentrating on her bid to ban cyber bullying. Melania said that she wanted to stay home for the sake of their young son.Trump's adult children stepped in to handle campaign appearance and told an interview that Melania was and had been doing the right priorities.

Over the last year, Trump successfully harnessed a widespread frustration with inside-the-Beltway politics to win over a powerful following, running on the platform that he would "Make American Great Again" by "draining the swamp" in D.C.