'First Brexit, now this': How Twitter reacted to Donald Trump's election victory

Francesca Gillett9 November 2016

Thousands of people across the UK reacted to Donald Trump’s overnight US election victory as a follow up to Brexit in a “nightmare” year.

Londoners were among those who took to social media as Britain woke up to the news the billionaire Republican businessman had beaten Democrat Hillary Clinton in the race to the White House.

The phrase “First Brexit, now this” started to trend on Twitter as tens of thousands of people likened the Republican’s surprise win to June’s shock EU referendum result.

Many called Mr Trump's victory as the latest in a string of publicised events which has made 2016 into an unexpected year - including the death of David Bowie and Leicester winning the Premier League.

Others expressed astonishment and exasperation at the news and said they were simply “lost for words”.

Many joked about mass emigration away from the USA - and even further afield - following the result.

Aden Theobald, said on Twitter: “Wow. First Brexit and now this. My brain hurts.”

Londoner Cosma Papouis wrote: “Has the world gone mad? First Brexit now Trump? As the Chinese say. 'These are interesting times' and not in a good way."

Others were more serious and took to social to express anger and frustration at the Republican win.

“First Brexit, now Trump," said Jordan Phillipe, from London. "I’m lost for words at the stupidity of the majority. What is happening to the world.”

Holby City actor Louis Payne, from Islington, said: “What is going on in the world first Brexit now trump! What next world war 3 #PresidentialElection”

“My first thought was "oh America, how could you be so stupid," tweeted Inga Dahl. "Then I remembered Brexit.”

Goldsmiths student Georgie Rose Laud said on Twitter: “So America now have a racist sexist wotsit running their country. First brexit and now this, what is the world coming too”

But some British people were pleased with the result.

Twitter user Stuart, from Banstead in Surrey, said: "First Brexit and now this. Shows how many people have had enough. Love it”

Lots of people were joking about what might come next after a whirlwind year and whether 2016 has more up its sleeve.

Trump won the presidency in a dramatic upset after almost every major poll had Hillary Clinton as a shoe-in to be voted the next Commander-in-Chief.

The people of the United States turned out to vote in their millions in one of the most divisive and closely-fought election campaigns in history.

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