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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
David Smith in Washington

Fear triumphs over hope as Trump wins the presidency – how did it happen?

Donald Trump Joe Biden Barack Obama Kamala Harris America Mitch McConnell
Donald Trump, president for a second time.
Donald Trump, who has become president for a second time. Photograph: Guardian design

Sometimes fear triumphs over hope.

Donald Trump’s shocking victory in the 2016 US presidential election was described as a leap into the political unknown. This time there is no excuse. America knew that he was a convicted criminal, serial liar and racist demagogue who four years ago attempted to overthrow the government. It voted for him anyway.

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