That Hillary Clinton would be the 45th President of the United States of America seemed like a foregone conclusion by many, especially by mainstream media outlets. But as we now know, they were wrong. Americans elected businessman and former reality TV star Donald Trump to the nation’s highest office, leaving the media with a serious case of egg-on-the-face. Newsweek, a New York-based weekly magazine, took this to Dewey Defeats Trumanesque proportions.
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The publication sent out a national recall after a special “Madam President” issue was shipped prematurely to stores across America. While the magazine had designed a Trump commemorative issue as well, it decided to ship the Clinton version late last week as her victory seemed more likely. Tony Romando, CEO of Topix Media which produced the special issues under the Newsweek brand, admitted to the New York Post that “like everybody else, we got it wrong”. He added that wholesalers and retailers have been asked to return the Clinton issue to make room for the President Trump issue, which he expected to “sell very well as there is obviously a great demand”.
Meanwhile, hours after President-elect Trump had struck a surprisingly conciliatory note in his victory speech, Clinton congratulated him on winning the election and offered to “work with him on behalf of our country”. Acknowledging that the loss was “painful and it will be for a long time”, Clinton told her supporters “we owe him (Trump) an open mind and the chance to lead”. There was, however, an undertone of belligerence. Speaking of constitutional democracy, she said that while Trump deserved everyone’s support since he is the elected president, the American system “also enshrines the rule of law; the principle we are all equal in rights and dignity; freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values, too, and we must defend them.”
Clinton said she regretted not being able to shatter “that highest and hardest glass ceiling” by becoming the first female American President, but expected “someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now”.