‘Important lesson’: British media reacts to Donald Trump’s presidential victory

The UK’s newspapers feature a raft of opinions on the former president’s impending return to the Oval Office.

President-elect Donald Trump (Steven Senne/AP) (AP)

Donald Trump’s election win has left much of the world reeling and reacting, and Britain has proven to be no exception with the face of the new US President-elect adorning every front page.

His victory marks an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

Mr Trump will soon become the 47th president of the United States after his “landslide” victory on Wednesday, as says the i’s splash, and the shift in a major global power has prompted both cheers and fears across the pond.

Here’s what papers across the UK had to say on Wednesday’s US upheaval.

Thursday’s editorial in the Daily Mirror is bleak yet straightforward, describing Mr Trump’s re-election as “a dark day for America and the world”.

The paper said: “Trump won by stoking divisions and whipping up hatred. It is inevitable he will govern in the same way. There will be no let-up in the war on women’s rights. America will not be a safe country if you are a migrant or a member of a minority.

“The institutions which were designed to keep power in check will be eroded and undermined.”

It added: “The dark shadow of Trump’s election stretches far beyond the American mainland … allies of the US must prepare for a new world order under a president who favours tyrants and strongmen such as Vladimir Putin over them.”

The Guardian is just as gloomy in its take on America’s next chosen leader: “With Donald Trump returning to the White House for a second term, the impact will be felt in many aspects of American life and also across the world … “from abortion to immigration, the environment, gun laws and LGBTQ+ rights: all are at stake with Trump and his allies back in power.”

At the other end of the scale, the Daily Mail heralded Mr Trump’s election for a second term as “a genuinely amazing and historic comeback”.

The Sun proudly declared to not be surprised at all by “the second coming of President Trump”, with the paper adding they “wish him luck” during his second tenure of the Oval Office.

Some British dailies were less editorially emotive, with the Daily Telegraph writing that, once again: “Trump’s capacity to confound all expectations, except his own, seemingly knows no bounds.”

Other publications were more practical in approach, opting instead to focus on what a Trump presidency could mean for the UK.

The Daily Express stated that Wednesday’s US election also acts as an “important lesson here for politicians in the UK and elsewhere”.

“Voters are not impressed by mud-slinging,” the Express’ editorial stated, adding that, the paper then chose to bring the topic of the vote closer to home.

“Many politicians here in the UK, not least in the Labour Party, regarded the prospect of his re-election with horror …. America’s allies now need to work with the President-elect to reduce international tensions and secure peace and prosperity for all.”

The Daily Star also pointed out that Mr Trump’s “triumph now presents a serious headache” for the UK government.

The paper noted attitudes by UK MPs towards the US president-elect, highlighting the fact that “Labour ministers have made ever-so-slightly unfavourable remarks about the Republican candidate in the past.

It added: “And that’s putting it charitably.

“Foreign Secretary David Lammy in particular has his work cut out to convince the incoming US administration that he deserves to be taken seriously.”

The Daily Telegraph also honed in on the Foreign Secretary for making “disobliging comments” about Mr Trump, before calling the UK minister’s own role into question.

“Labour also sent 100 staffers to America to campaign for (failed Democratic candidate Kamala) Harris.

“Maintaining close relations with our most important ally is perhaps the key task of our Foreign Secretary. Whether Mr Lammy’s position is sustainable must now be in serious doubt.”

Fence mending will be necessary, together with the realisation that the US blank cheque for European defence is about to be withdrawn and replaced with a hefty bill.

The Times editorial

The Times also focused its editorial ire on Mr Lammy and his less-than-favourable approach to Mr Trump and, therefore, the incoming US government.

“Labour has not helped itself by appointing a foreign secretary whose distaste for the new president is a matter of record, or by publicising its help for the Democrats during the campaign,” the paper’s editorial read.

“Fence mending will be necessary, together with the realisation that the US blank cheque for European defence is about to be withdrawn and replaced with a hefty bill.

It added: “A protectionist US will be a direct threat to so-called Global Britain.”