US election LIVE | Xi congratulates Trump, calls for stronger US-China dialogue

Four years ago, Donald J Trump was a sullen man after he lost the presidential race to Joe Biden. And when a violent mob, mostly his supporters, stormed the US Capitol weeks later, it appeared an end to the Republican leader's political career. Four years later, 78-year-old Trump made an unprecedented and forceful political comeback in American history by cruising towards a second term in the White House.

With Wisconsin win, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes. And that too, after being convicted of a felony and surviving two assassination attempts.

In March, Trump received his party's nomination and it was formalised at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July after remaining in the political wilderness for months following several court cases. In effect, he became the first former president to get the nomination for the top office after being convicted of a felony.

Trump still faces four criminal indictments and it is not immediately clear what will happen to the cases. The former president also survived an impeachment trial in 2021 that concluded with his acquittal.

Trump was shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania in July, just days ahead of the Republican National Convention.

As his victory appeared imminent, Trump addressed his supporters in Florida with a message: "We are going to help our country heal." As he eyed the White House, Trump carefully crafted his campaign messages promising to rebuild the economy and rid the US of illegal immigrants.

From the time he left office after his loss in the 2020 presidential election to his nomination as the Republican candidate in the 2024 race, Trump continued to dominate the American news cycle and the country's psyche.

He is now the oldest person in US history to be elected president.

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