Republican Donald Trump has defeated his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the US election and will become the 45th President of the United States, ABC election Analyst Antony Green says.

Mr Trump has taken to the stage to speak to supporters at the New York Hilton Midtown.

Mrs Clinton has reportedly telephoned Mr Trump to concede, but will not be speaking publicly this evening.

“You should get some sleep. We’ll have more to say tomorrow,” Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta told a room full of supporters in New York.

The shock result came after opinion polls over the weekend showed Mrs Clinton went into polling day with the advantage over her Republican rival.

Both candidates had early victories but Mr Trump picked up the key battleground states of Ohio, Florida and North Carolina.

The GOP are also predicted to hold onto a majority in the House and gain control of the Senate.

Clinton supporters in shock

North America correspondent Stephanie March is at Hillary Clinton’s headquarters in New York where supporters are visibly devastated.

“Hillary Clinton and her supporters had hoped to make history today by electing the first female president in the United States,” she said.

“Heading into election day polls had pointed to a victory for the Democrats nominee but losses key states south eastern of in Florida and North Carolina significantly narrowed her path to victory.”

Washington bureau chief Zoe Daniel is also at the headquarters:

“People have literally sat around in this venue on the floor, staring into space, some people are in tears. People are hugging each other,” Ms Daniel said.

“There’s just a sense of pervasive shock. Not only that Hillary Clinton appears to have lost the election, but that it has been such a complete and utter rout”.

Mrs Clinton had a lead in Florida of one percentage point and a win there would likely have secured her the presidency.

But Mr Trump enjoyed a swing in the state, winning it back from the Democrats.