The Guardian view on the return of President Trump: a bleak day for America and the world | Editorial

His voters knew what they were getting when they picked him over Kamala Harris. But his opponents cannot despair

This is an exceptionally bleak and frightening moment for the United States and the world. Donald Trump swept the electoral college and is on course to take the popular vote - giving him not merely a victory, but a mandate. If many voters gambled on him in 2016, they doubled down this time. Presented with a choice between electing the first black, female president on a promise of a sunnier future, and a racist, misogynist, twice-impeached convicted felon hawking hatred and retribution, they picked Mr Trump.

The stark divide between two Americas persists. Butpolls did not predict the scale of this victory. Onlyone president has previously won two non-consecutive terms. In 2021, Mr Trump seemed brieflyto have lost his own party. Now he has increasedhis vote share across the country and multiple groups of voters. This - even more than the two assassination attempts enroute - will convince him of his invincibility.

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