Hillary Clinton’s supporters came in their thousands to cheer her victory – but instead they streamed out of her party venue in tears.
And just two miles away in Manhattan, Donald Trump’s legions raised the roof, chanting ‘lock her up’ as their candidate romped home to victory.
It was a result that many of them never expected – and the slow realization by both sides that so many polls, predictions and assumptions were completely wrong led to astounding scenes in New York and around the country.
Delighted: Another New York supporter cheers on Trump as he continues on the path to victory
Hugging for joy: Two Trump supporters in Arizona are just as happy as the thousands in New York as their candidate continues his historic climb towards the White House
Victory selfie: Two Trump supporters shared a pre-victory selfie together
Bordering on ecstasy: As Trump took Ohio on his continued path to victory, these members of the National Border Patrol Council, guests at his NY party, cheer. The NBPC had come out in favor of Trump – a break from tradition – earlier this year.
Time’s up: Clinton campaign chair John Podesta told the crowds to leave the Javits Center at around 2:15am Wednesday. The Clinton campaign seemed to want to keep fighting, but their followers were clearly crushed by the loss of the election.
Disbelief: This Clinton voter didn’t seem to believe that his favored candidate’s campaign had failed – and the Clinton campaign followed suit, refusing to concede early Wednesday morning.
Consolation: Two Clinton supporters lean on each other for help as Manhattan shortly before Manhattan learned that Clinton’s loss was certain.
Street view: On New York’s streets, too, people seemed in shock – these people were watching the results on the Times Square Jumbotron.
Losing hope: New York rally crowds watched in despair as Clinton lost her grip on the US
Tearful: Clinton supporters looked drained and on the verge of tears as their candidate faltered in the national election
Popularity slump: A Clinton supporter cradles her head as the reality of the Democratic candidate’s fate sinks in.
In a traditional Clinton approach to press relations, reporters covering her party were frozen out of speaking to senior aides as she tanked in the election, and instead were reduced to texting and emailing to ask for updates.
The attitude at the Midtown Hilton, on 1335 Avenue of the Americas and a block over from Trump Tower, couldn’t have been more different.
At the hotel, what looked increasingly likely to be Donald Trump’s victory party remained jubilant and upbeat as state after state stayed on the board for the brash billionaire.
Trump’s director of African-American Outreach said at the party that both candidates have written concession speeches, according to the Hollywood Reporter – but it became clear that his candidate would have no use for it.
The Hilton ballroom’s stage was flanked with glass cases containing Trump hats and pins, and there were Trump TV stickers inside the Grand Ballroom, according to Washington Post video journalist Jorge Ribas.
It’s not hard to imagine jubilant Trump reporters jumping on the items before they departed – if they didn’t have them all before – as trophies of their jubilant night.
Some wondered why the party wasn’t being held at his own Trump Tower, just five minutes’ walk away, but the Hilton’s size appeared to be key.
‘The Hilton is huge,’ crisis management firm president Helios Fred Garcia told the Washington Post.
‘I don’t think it’s so much that he’s embarrassed to hold it in his own place or that his brand has been tarnished, but rather that he expects a large crowd. And so he booked the largest venue that he could.’
That proved to be a smart investment, as crowds, under the glare of a Trump-shaped victory cake, chugged their $11 beers – the cash-only bars charged from $7 to $13 – and cheered.
White with shock: Clinton supporters hold their breath as results roll in about their candidate’s collapse in the race
Going down: Clinton supporters in New York’s Javits Center steeled themselves as their candidate continued to fall
Hold your head: A candidate clasps his face as states successively rejected Clinton
With Florida, North Carolina and Virginia turning out to be close races, the crowd cheered every time Fox News showed The Donald still ahead.
Cries of ‘Drain the Swamp’ dominated the chants, as many in the crowd donned red ‘Make America Great Again’ hats.
Omarosa, one of Trump’s most potent surrogates throughout the campaign, worked the crowd happily posing for selfies.
Even when the state of New Mexico was called for Clinton, results showing The Donald ten points ahead received cheers from Trump’s invited supporters.
Night terrors: As the night wore on, and the possibility of a Trump win became more real, the fear of Clinton fans became more pronounced.
Frozen out: While supporters like this one grimaced at the election results, reporters were frozen out from speaking to senior Clinton aides – not an unusual occurrence with the Clinton camp.
When Virginia was called for Clinton, some air rushed out of the room.
With Montana added to the Trump column, however, cheerful chatter started again.
Colorado was called for Clinton, but that didn’t matter to Trump’s faithful, because the announcement of Trump’s win in Ohio came right after.
There were screams and one very loud whistle.
Since 1904, Ohio has only been wrong about the winner of the presidency two times.
Downcast ballot: The cross-section of Clinton’s supporters were unified in misery as the routes to her victory closed off, one by one
Living on a prayer: The party mood that began with Jon Bon Jovi Monday night collapsed by Sunday evening
Down, under: Clinton supporters in Sydney, Australia, fidgeted as their hopes and dreams evaporated
Broke-lyn: Spirits of adults and children alike were crushed in Brooklyn as Clinton’s supporters watched the key state of Florida glide into Trump’s hands.
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