BREAKING YYYUUUGGGEEEE NEWS - Donald Trump is the next US president!

Donald Trump won the US presidential election early this morning in a stunning victory that sent shockwaves around the world.

Seventeen months after the billionaire tycoon’s Trump Tower entrance into the race, the first-time candidate once dismissed by the political elite will become the 45th president.

The Republican took the key swing states of Florida, North Carolina and Ohio early this morning, as he marched towards the White House.

In an extraordinary development, Mrs Clinton did not initially concede the election - but then later called Mr Trump to congratulate him on his victory.

The Republican surpassed expectations and confounded pollsters in Florida, where Mrs Clinton had been expected to win following a surge in the Hispanic vote.

Mrs Clinton’s hopes of a swift victory faded as the Republican picked up a series of states early on and maintained his momentum. Trump’s victory marks the second time Clinton was thwarted in her bid to become the first female U.S. president, having been defeated by President Obama in their 2008 primary race. Amid Trump’s victory, Republicans also held onto their majority in the House and were close to doing so in the Senate, improving Trump’s chances of advancing his agenda in office.