As I did with Brexit, I've prepared two articles concluding the US federal election coverage. One posits Hillary Clinton's victory, while this one examines the fallout from a Trump upset win, against the odds. One interesting speculative piece from this perspective was the "Brexit effect." I'm not sure why some commentators seem to believe that the British European Union referendum is relevant to events across the Atlantic, except in the possible parallels that could be drawn between Brexit working class voters in Northern England and the countryside, and the similar redneck white working class religious social conservative and outright racist elements that support the Trump ascendancy. These voters are undoubtedly behind Trump's narrow victory and were swayed by his appeals to prejudice, a nostalgic golden age and authoritarian populism. However, this didn't apply to many conservative and liberal Republican sceptics who didn't vote for Trump and abhor what he represents. Therefore, this may be reflected in increased fractiousness within the Republican Congressional caucus, as some elements resist the Trump agenda and some support it. Another aspect of the Trump 'cold victory' is the unprecedented level of social polarisation that has ensued in its wake. Some have darkly speculated that with the election of such an extremist, there is now an insurmountable gap between the civilised North and the primitive, backward Southern United States, which may eventually lead to a second US Civil War as a consequence of this foolhardy decision. I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not- the cultural dissonance between the North and South are becoming grounds for schism and ultimate fragmentation. If Trump tries to outlaw abortion, for example, there will be a severe backlash in the Northern United States and from pro-choice Republicans. Polls also indicate that the US general public would baulk at this- the anti-abortion movement does have support for some incremental restrictions against abortion rights, but not for absolute prohibition. The other issues are the projected mass deportation of Central and Latin American 'illegal immigrants' and barriers against Muslim immigration into the United States. The problem is, while that would receive support from the redneck and racist elements among Trump's constituency, it wouldn't sit well among Latino Americans and could serve as the basis for civil disobedience as they resist that policy. As for the ridiculous Muslim exclusion claims, that would probably fall afoul of US constitutional safeguards that prevent the imposition of a state religion on those who do not share its premises, as well as guarantees of meaningful religious freedom. In any case, not all Muslims wear Middle Eastern dress or hijabs. But it won't only be Latinos and Muslims who will encounter problems in this juncture. Trump has indicated that he wants to withdraw from remaining US military commitments and exit from NATO, much to the unease of the European Union and Britain, as well as declaring a trade war against China. New Zealand has a free trade agreement with China, and US agricultural interests have repeatedly refused to abandon protectionism, so we will need to choose between our second largest trading partner and a protectionist 'traditional ally' which refuses New Zealand access to its agricultural markets. As for us, there's the whole question of the end of US marriage equality and the institution of service provider discrimination under the guise of religious 'liberty.' It would take time to stack the US Supreme Court to reverse the Obergefelt v Hodges decision and would be met with anger and resistance from LGBT inhabitants of the United States. Given that Vice President Mike Pence ran into stiff resistance when it came to his attempted introduction of Indiana's "Religious Freedom Restoration Act," which would have enshrined service provider discrimination in state law, he may advise Trump to back off. The problem may not be Trump in this context, given his ephemeral commitment to religious social conservatism, but Vice President Pence. Unfortunately, as with the disastrous George W. Bush presidency, the United States has made another foolish choice for its commander in chief. Let us hope that the darker predictions about this mountebank and buffoon do not come to pass. I am not hopeful, though. Are we seeing the prelude to the disintegration of the United States? Craig Young - 10th November 2016