US election: Wild scenes as MAGA descend on Trump Tower

Jubilant Trump supporters made a beeline for his Manhattan skyscraper after his victory denouncing Kamala Harris and the Democrats as “godless”.

Donald Trump supporters in US talk to news.com.au

AT TRUMP TOWER, NEW YORK

Close to Trump Tower, on Manhattan’s Fifth Ave, a pedicab hoping to coax tourists onto an overpriced ride blared out Gloria Gaynor’s anthem I Will Survive.

“You think I’d crumble? You’d think I lay down and die?” seemed an appropriate anthem on the day a man, who many had written off, stormed back into the White House.

Outside the skyscraper bearing the President-elect’s name, euphoric supporters had gathered celebrating the survival of Mr Trump and his political phoenix rising from the flames.

They jostled for space on the footpath with impatient New Yorkers – some of who were only too happy to tell the red hatted crowd that they supported Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump beat the polls and will likely win every swing state, overturning the fabled Democratic “blue wall” of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan in the process.

The Republicans also gained control of the Senate and may win a slim majority in the House or Representatives too.

“I’m sad for the people who are sad,” Kat, from New Hampshire told news.com.au.

But then she added: “I’m sad that they believed a lot of propaganda about Trump”.

The selfies were interrupted as man in a Donald Trump mask burst through the golden doors serving trademark Trump poses to the adoring crowds.

At one point the throng parted as an inflatable train called the “Trump Express” was walked past the building entrance by a man in an oversized MAGA hat.

Supporters headed down to Trump Tower in New York after the election. Pictures: Benedict Brook

89yo ‘danced in the kitchen at 3am’

Carol, 89, who lives on New York’s Upper East Side, told news.com.au she was jubilant.

“My son and I voted yesterday. We stayed up until three in the morning and we were dancing in the kitchen,” she said.

“This morning I banged pots out of the window and blew whistles.”

New Yorker Pinar Lacroix was wearing a MAGA hat. But she insisted she was an independent voter.

“He is the new President so I put the cap on to celebrate and whoever is the winner we need to celebrate.”

When asked if she would have donned a Harris cap if the victory was reversed Ms Lacroix replied: “I just want the best for this world and this city”.

A Donald Trump impersonator outside Trump Tower in New York after the election on 6 November. Picture: Benedict Brook.

89-year-old Carol said she danced in her kitchen at 3am when Trump’s victory was declared. Pictures: Benedict Brook.

Dominico had come from Italy to compete in last weekend’s New York Marathon. He had donned a red hat to head to Trump Tower.

“I am very happy for Donald Trump’s result. Very congratulations to Donald. I am now sure that the war with Ukraine and Russia will (end)”.

Trump train outside Trump Tower in New York. Picture: Benedict Brook

Why voter dumped Kamala Harris

Across Fifth Ave from Trump Tower, a man from Brooklyn told news.com.au why he dumped Ms Harris.

“She was a part of the Biden administration. The people were unhappy. What was she going to offer that was any different?”

He added that he was feeling “victorious”.

Economic policies were his number one reason for voting for Mr Trump and, while he didn’t necessarily think that the future president would start a war, “I wouldn’t want no one else but him to lead the way” if there was one.

It was all about getting the snap outside the big gold doors. Pictures: Benedict Brook

Asked if she understood why some Harris supporters were worried about comments from Mr Trump, such as him wanting to be a “dictator, for one day,” or revenge on his foes, Kat from New Hampshire shrugged them off.

“He’s just riffin’, he’s the President. There are limits to what he can do”.

Her number one priority was to “get social media to stop banning conservatives”.

Italian marathon runner Dominico wished Trump ‘many congratulations’. Picture: Benedict Brook

Pinar LaCroix said she was an independent but had donned the red hat to celebrate the election of a president. Picture: Benedict Brook.

Democratic Party is ‘godless, chaotic’

Octogenarian Carol said the Democrat party of today was not the “old party”.

“I was OK with Clinton, I was OK with Obama. Now (the party has) turned nasty, it’s godless and chaotic”.

But what of the fears some have of a second Trump term? Of claims democracy will be wound back, for instance?

“He was in power for four years. Was anybody hurt? No”.

“I’ve seen many presidents and Trump is wonderful,” said Carol.

“He’s not a politician, he operates from the gut.

“We’re going to have a wonderful four years, believe me”.