Defying opinion polls that had predicted a too-close-to-call contest, Donald Trump, the former president of the United States of America, comfortably trounced the Democratic nominee and current vice-president, Kamala Harris, in the US presidential election, springing back to power against the odds. Only once before has a US president lost a re-election but then returned to office four years later: Grover Cleveland, who was president from 1885 to 1889, returned to the White House for another presidential stint between 1893 and 1897. A convicted felon has not become a president before either: Mr Trump was convicted in May on charges linked to hush money payment to an adult film star. But Mr Trump did not just win: he is expected to be on course to win by a far greater margin than in 2016. Unlike eight years ago against Hillary Clinton, he is poised to win the popular vote. His Electoral College votes are likely to surpass the 304 he had won in 2016 after all the ballots have been counted. The wave of support for Mr Trump has also meant that the Republican Party has regained control of the Senate.

While analysts will dissect what led to this outcome in the weeks, months and years to come, one thing is clear: the verdict is a complete repudiation of the legacy of the outgoing president, Joe Biden. Whether over the cost of living or the US’s involvement in major wars from Gaza to Ukraine, American voters have given a thumbs down to Mr Biden and Ms Harris. Mr Trump’s crass language, especially towards immigrants, did not dissuade voters enough to buy into the Democratic Party’s assertion that a win for the former president would deal a body blow to American democracy. Globally, Mr Trump’s return to power promises fresh chaos for markets given his threat to impose heavy tariffs on all imported goods. Mr Trump is also expected to break with Mr Biden’s approach to global conflicts. He has promised that he will end the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon: now the world will watch if he can deliver on that commitment, and on what terms. Mr Trump’s previous term had also led to spiralling tensions between the US and China and between Washington and Tehran. He had walked out of the Paris climate change agreement — which the US rejoined after Mr Biden came to power in 2020. Even though the world now knows Mr Trump better, his re-election promises only one certainty: more chaos.