[This World] Everything That Happened After Trump Became President of the United States

Long. Proceed with caution.

Trump has been elected the new president of the United States.

As an observer of this world, I kept a record of what happened around the globe in the 24 hours that followed.

Trump's Supporters Finally Surface

For a long time Trump's supporters were the "silent majority" — backing him earned you such a bad name that most of them didn't dare say so out loud. After his win, a lot of them popped up at once, happily posting "I voted for Trump!" all over social media.

Sheer jubilation

"Change feels great… Good morning, President Trump!"

"The best moment of this whole election. The voice of the people was heard! No more corruption. President Trump."

"God bless America!!!! God bless Trump"

"Sorry Hillary, the people have spoken."

"We took our country back."

"Well, I am genuinely thrilled Trump won the election."

They don't care if it costs them friends

A woman in Rhode Island wrote on Facebook: I voted for Trump, and if you don't like it, feel free to unfriend me.

A guy in California said, "I'm proud I voted for Trump. Unfriend me, call me a racist, a sexist, uneducated, simple-minded — whatever. My real friends and family know the truth, and I don't need you in my life. #SorryNotSorry."

The People Who Opposed Trump All Along Sink Into Deep Grief

Muslim women too frightened to wear their headscarves

Some Muslim women say outright that Trump's election terrifies them, and that they no longer dare go outside in a headscarf. Friends and relatives are passing the word along: stop wearing them.

A united Jewish community, sad — very, very sad…

"For the first time, I feel more Jewish than American."

"As a Jew, I've never been afraid in America before. This time I'm speechless…"

"I can imagine how Jews felt in 1933 when Hitler and the Nazis came to power."

Some Jews say they will stand with Muslims.

Latinos are uneasy too

Trump has insulted Latinos again and again, and his election has left them on edge. "I'm afraid to leave my house in the morning. This guy says we're criminals, that we're bad people," said Yili Cardenas, a Latino American in Nevada who worked on getting her community to the polls.

Some Latinos voted for Trump too

Reportedly, 29% of Latino voters cast their ballots for Trump. One Latina who voted for him said in an interview that although she doesn't like the way he insults people, she likes his honesty and his willingness to say exactly what is on his mind.

Silicon Valley worries Trump will lock down all the data

Some Silicon Valley tech startups — especially ones serving minority communities — are already considering moving their servers, or even their actual headquarters, abroad, for fear that Trump will demand they hand over users' private data.

Amazon, though not in Silicon Valley, is bracing too

The trouble Amazon may face once Trump takes office: he has accused Amazon's CEO of using The Washington Post, which he owns, to dodge taxes; accused Amazon of being a monopoly; and accused the Post of swaying voters. Trump has said before: if I become president, they're going to have problems.

The global elite is in shock

Just before Wednesday, former venture capitalist Patrick had said a Trump win would mean disaster. Then Trump won. "I was genuinely shocked when I saw the results. This is not what I expected." He was in Portugal at the time, at a summit for tech executives from around the world with more than 5,000 attendees; the moment the results came in, the hall was full of "disbelief," "fear," "grief," "shock."

Searches for jobs in Canada are up too

After Canada's immigration website crashed, the number of Americans searching for job openings in Canada shot up as well.

Scientists are terrified too

On Tuesday, as Americans voted, the scientific community was close to collective panic, because Trump has taken anti-science positions again and again. The most famous: he has said climate change is a hoax, and one invented by the Chinese.

Back in September, 375 top scientists, including 30 Nobel laureates, signed an open letter attacking Trump's stance on climate change. Many now worry the newly signed Paris Agreement could go off the rails.

Biopharma companies are anxious too

Trump has repeatedly endorsed the claim that vaccines cause autism, and has called one company's vaccines suspicious "custom" vitamins.

A pile of celebrities voiced their shock — and their complaints

As we said yesterday, a huge number of stars were on Hillary's side. So when she lost and Trump won, everyone was stunned:

Some cursed.

Some refused to accept reality.

Some couldn't believe their own ears.

Some declared America was finished.

Some were afraid; others worried about the world their children would grow up in.

Some shared a chilling reminder.

Some felt ashamed.

Some wanted to flee the planet.

Some called it a national disaster.

Some worried about America's minorities, women, LGBT people and immigrants, and vowed to fight for them.

Some wondered whether they had taken Obama for granted.

Some flatly refused to call Trump her president.

Many people retweeted Trump's 2012 line — "Our country is in serious trouble like never before" — to describe the fact that he is about to be president.

Cheyenne Jackson said this is the real American Horror Story.

Katy Perry put it bluntly: a revolution is coming.

Other celebrities started handing out love-and-courage inspiration

Lady Gaga, who backed Hillary and even performed at one of her campaign events, began spreading a message on social media after Trump's win: "In a space filled with hope, we will be heard. Standing for kindness, equality and love — nothing can stop us."

J.K. Rowling, who has said Trump is scarier than Voldemort, started tweeting nonstop, urging people to stand up to the faces of prejudice and hate, and to challenge racism, misogyny and bigotry.

evalongoria immediately turned herself into a messenger of love.

kerry washington began urging everyone that the most important thing right now is to take care of yourself and the people you love.

Connie Britton made a solemn promise: to Muslims, Mexicans, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, Black people, gay people, women and the dear planet — you have not been forgotten. Not at all.

Plenty of People Around the World Are Just Watching the Show

A guy in Australia bet his dad that Trump would win and pocketed 50 bucks.

British radio host Phil Taggart said that after years of watching Black Mirror he suddenly finds it boring — because reality is better television.

Some just can't bear to see Obama go. "Can't we get Obama to turn the TV volume up and pretend he can't hear the doorbell?" No — that's illegal.

Canadian journalist Tabatha Southey came right out and implied Trump is Hitler. "Well done, America. I can tell you that what we're feeling in Canada right now is exactly what Austria felt in 1933."

Warm-hearted Canadians also invited everyone Trump has ever put down to come to Canada, promising them big hugs and kisses.

Friends in India said everyone watched six seasons of Game of Thrones to toughen themselves up, all in preparation for today.

"Today I finally understand what 'God bless America' really means."

The French: We knew Americans were crazy. We didn't know they were this crazy.

The Japanese: From now on, America is going to look like this…

"Britain left the EU? Terrible. I'm buying some yen.

Cash just turned into wastepaper in India? Terrible. I'm buying some yen.

The next US president is a total disaster? Terrible. I'm buying some yen.

Japan: Please. Stop."

Germany: "How many American refugees can we take in?"

The Russians — that fighting nation — are masters of self-mockery.

"Russia: Who will you vote for?

Russia: I'll vote for a gay racist.

Russia: Good choice. Vote for him."

With Trump taking office, Egyptians have a different kind of anticipation. "We're going to see a lot of meetings between Trump and Sisi now. We're in for some laughs, folks."

The Dutch were more serious, and more worried. "I just saw a great line from someone: if your country's presidential election is one giant circus, then of course the winner is a clown."

Brazil: "Trump winning the US election is like if we, the dinosaurs, had voted an asteroid into office." — apparently a believer in the asteroid-killed-the-dinosaurs theory.

Turkey: "Americans elected Arnold Schwarzenegger governor… Trump is definitely going to give the planet a surprise."

South Africa: White people, what the hell did you all just do.

Nigeria: Your pastors clearly said 2016 was going to be a good year.

A Photoshop war broke out too, with one loaded meme after another

George W. Bush: Good luck, America… and you all thought I was the idiot.

Area 11 — Japan, That Is — Once More Shows Its Gift for Missing the Point

Watching Trump's victory speech, they spent the whole time fixated on the drowsy pretty boy standing behind him: Barron Trump.

Some thought he was adorable.

Some kept asking who exactly he was.

Some started worrying whether he'll grow up to look like his dad. Yeah, a little concerning.

Some worried he looked so bored, and urged Trump to wrap up the speech already.

Some were quick enough to screenshot his cutest moment.

So the conclusion of the night: tonight, we are all Barron Trump.

Now Let's Talk Politics

Hillary's spokesperson gives an "it's not over yet" statement

Anyone glued to the election yesterday will know that shortly after Trump crossed the 270-vote line, Hillary's spokesperson hurried out a statement saying it wasn't over yet, and that every vote would be counted.

But Hillary went on to give her concession speech

Hillary appeared on the morning of the 9th. More than an hour later than announced, she delivered her concession speech. "Although you may meet many setbacks and failures in life, fighting for our ideals, for a cause you believe is right, is always worth it." She can still ladle out inspiration by the bowl.

Obama spoke early in the morning too

He started by saying he had called Trump at three in the morning to congratulate him, then talked about the handover between the two administrations. But by the end, however you listen to it, it sounds resigned — the full video is already on Weibo, go watch it. And the face on Biden, his old comedy partner, said it all.

Leaders and politicians from many countries have offered congratulations — with very different attitudes

Putin seemed pleased, and became the first head of state to congratulate Trump. The key line, of course, was "Russia is ready to do everything it can to restore Russia-US relations to a sustainable path." No more need to fight; a new guy with no hostility toward him has arrived. He's happy.

Shinzo Abe's headline remarks were conventional, stressing that Japan and the United States are steadfast allies. But you could tell he was nervous. Trump flatly opposes the TPP, and has argued that Japan should cover the full cost of stationing US troops there, with withdrawal not ruled out if it doesn't pay. All of it actually looks pretty bad for Abe.

Mexico's president says he wants to meet Trump.

The country with the most riding on all this is probably Mexico. Badmouthing Mexicans and building a wall on the US-Mexico border are, after all, two of Trump's signature bits.

After Trump's election, Mexico's president still offered his congratulations, then said he hoped to schedule a meeting between the two of them in the coming months.

Given how things turned out, Hollande is swallowing something bitter

After Trump's election, a tight-faced François Hollande followed protocol and congratulated him on winning the US presidency from the Élysée Palace. But he pivoted at once, saying Trump's election opens a period of uncertainty.

Merkel offered a cautious congratulations too

She said Germany would not compromise on its values: democracy, freedom, the rule of law and equality.

Among politicians, the happiest is UKIP leader Nigel Farage

The man who started Brexit has backed Trump firmly all along, and even said he would go work as an aide for him. Trump's win has him thrilled; he says that with Trump's victory the "revolution" goes on.

France's right-wing parties feel emboldened

France, too, is caught up in nationalist turmoil right now.

After Trump won, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, was emboldened. She was among the first to congratulate him, and said she now feels even more confident about her own campaign next year.

Nicolas Sarkozy was excited as well, of course. He gave a speech right away, stressing that the right-wing Republicans party he represents will read global trends correctly, stand firm against terrorism, and listen to public opinion.

Trump's other political supporters abroad include

George Christensen, a nationalist in Australia's federal government.

Greece's Golden Dawn party.

Hungary's far-right Jobbik movement.

Germany's nationalist parties.

The mystery of who Bush actually voted for

After Trump's win, fellow Republican and former president George W. Bush tweeted his congratulations. But talk-show host Rush Limbaugh had earlier claimed that Bush and his wife Laura, both Republicans, voted for Hillary. Trump made a point of mentioning it yesterday, saying it made him sad. Bush's spokesperson quickly knocked the rumor down — "did not vote for Hillary" — and that was the only part he denied. So there is now also a theory that the two of them voted for nobody at all.

Now Let's Talk About the Economy

The dollar dropped in a flash

The dollar fell more than 2% against the euro and the Swiss franc, and more than 3% against the yen. The most dramatic move was the Mexican peso, which dropped more than 11%, its biggest fall since the 1994 "Tequila Crisis" — no surprise, given how openly hostile Trump has been toward Mexicans.

Japan also took a big fall that day

Japan's stock market was a roller coaster on November 8. The Nikkei opened high and pushed past the 17,400 mark, then plunged straight down the moment it became clear Trump had it locked up, at one point falling more than 1,000 points. It closed down 5.36%, its worst single-day drop since Britain's Brexit referendum.

Wall Street wasn't scared

Many had predicted Wall Street would tremble if Trump won. It didn't. On November 8, US stocks surged, with the Dow up more than 200 points. At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.40% at 18,589.62; the S&P 500 was up 1.10% at 2,163.18; and the Nasdaq was up 1.11% at 5,251.07.

Then, with US stocks up, Asia-Pacific markets followed

At this morning's open, the Nikkei 225 was up 5%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 1.67%, South Korean stocks were up nearly 2%, and the Shanghai Composite rose 0.86%.

Mexico-linked businesses ran into trouble too

Constellation, which imports Mexico's Corona beer, gets half its revenue from Mexican beer. After the election of Trump, who has vowed to build a wall between the US and Mexico, Constellation's stock dropped 8% on the spot. Still, the company's performance has been strong in recent years; at its first institutional investor meeting in three years, held on the 9th, its CEO said the short-term impact would be small, and that over the long run they would adjust their strategy to match policy.

Constellation is currently the third-largest beer supplier in the US, with 5 of the country's 15 most popular beers. Net revenue rose 17% this quarter.

What Does America Look Like Right Now?

Protests have broken out across America — fiercest in New York and San Francisco

On the night the results came in, more than a thousand people in New York marched to Trump Tower at Columbus Circle in Manhattan to protest his becoming president. Their chants included "Donald Trump, go away," "Racist, sexist, anti-gay," and "Donald Trump is full of shit, he can't be president." Protests also broke out in San Francisco, Orlando and many other places.

California is threatening to secede

After Trump's election, California residents put out a statement calling for a statewide vote on leaving the United States. It also noted that the EU has an opening about the right size for California.

Well, look on the bright side: if it weren't for the drought, it wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

Many immigrants worry they'll be deported

A number of lawyers, nonprofits and immigrant-rights groups report a "flood" of calls from immigrants asking whether they'll be deported now that Trump has been elected.

"They're very worried, scared, upset," said Nicolas St. Espiritu, an attorney with the American Immigration Lawyers' Committee. "What we need to do is as much outreach and coordination as possible, to help and protect them. But unfortunately, we don't even know what to tell people yet."

Abortion-rights groups are bracing for the worst too

Trump opposes abortion. He has said repeatedly that he'll appoint new judges to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would make abortion illegal in the US.

College students across the country seem shaken up; professors scramble to comfort them

On election night, college students all over the country stayed up waiting for the results. Because Trump won, plenty of them showed up to class the next day visibly shaken. To ease the tension in the classroom, professors tried all sorts of things: one brought his own dog to class; another wrote students an email with "self-care" guidance for the day after the election.

The House may keep investigating Hillary's emails

Republicans had long been fixated on impeaching Hillary if she won. Now that she hasn't, House Judiciary Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte, whose party controls the committee, has hinted they'll keep pressing questions about the FBI's investigation into Hillary's emails, and push for a full inquiry.

Canada suddenly becomes the land Americans dream of

As everyone probably knows by now, Canada's immigration website crashed while the votes were being counted. After the dust settled, travel sites reported one after another that searches for trips to Canada had risen sharply — especially searches for one-way tickets, which spiked. Cheapflights.com reported a 1,000% increase.

Guess what else became a trending search term?

After Trump's election, Google searches for nuclear fallout shelters shot up.

Faced with this tangled situation, some people thought of a woman still on her throne

"Dear United Kingdom, we left you 200 years ago. But we can't handle things anymore. Please take us back."

"Dear Britain, we know we didn't do right by you in 1776. Could you give a young, pitiful country a second chance?"

What happened to your pride in the Declaration of Independence?

And another woman, younger but no less respected, came up too

Let Michelle Obama run for president in 2020.

"Dear Michelle Obama, we know you're moving out of the White House, but we hope you'll come back as president for 4 years."

Someone even borrowed Trump's slogan: "Michelle Obama 2020 — 'I'll fix it.'"

Someone else predicted with total confidence: "Remember this tweet — Michelle Obama will be president in 2020."

Oh right, one more person has already signed up for the 2020 race: Kanye West.

Cover image from Wikipedia