(CNSNews.com) – Flanked by his running mate Mike Pence and his young son Barron, President-elect Donald Trump appeared before his supporters shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday:
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” were the first words out of his mouth. “Complicated business.
“I’ve just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us — it’s about us — on our victory and I congratulated her and her family on a very very hard fought campaign. I mean, she fought very hard.
“Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country. I mean that very sincerely.”
With three states (N.H., Michigan, Minnesota) still too close to call early Wednesday morning, Trump had won by a sizable electoral margin, 289 votes to Clinton’s 218. The popular vote was relatively close — 58,583,078 votes or 47.6% for Trump; and 58,362,755 votes, or 47.5% for Clinton.
In his victory speech, Trump made a pitch for unity:
“Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division. We have to get together. To all Republicans and Democrats and Independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. It’s time.
“I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me.
“For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people — I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so we can work together and unify our great country.”
Trump said his campaign was more than just a campaign — it was “an incredible and great movement made up of millions of hard working men and women who love their country and want better brighter future for themselves and for their family.”
He offered reassurance to racial, ethnic and religious minorities, promising that his movement will be “comprised of people from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs who want and expect our government to serve the people — and serve the people it will. Working together we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream.
“I have spent my entire life in business looking at the untapped potential in projects and in people all over the world. That is now what I want to do for our country. Tremendous potential. I’ve got to know our country so well. Tremendous potential. It’s gonna be a beautiful thing.
“Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”
Trump promised to “fix our inner cities” and “put millions of our people to work” rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure.
“We will also finally take care of our great veterans who’ve been so loyal and I’ve got to know so many over this 18 month journey the time I’ve spent with them in this campaign has been among my greatest honors. Our veterans are incredible people.
“We will embark upon a project of national growth and renewal. I will harness the creative talents of our people and we will call upon the best and brightest to leverage their tremendous talent for the benefit of all. It’s gonna happen.
“We have a great economic plan. We will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world.
“At the same time we will get along with all other nations willing to get along with us.”
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
