SCOTLAND has reacted to the victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 US election, with one political leader calling it "a dark day for our planet".
The reaction across Scotland has been largely critical of the win with Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater describing it as a “dark day”.
Writing on social media, she said: “A dark day for women. A dark day for Ukraine. A dark day for Gaza. A dark day for our planet.”
Co-leader of the Greens Patrick Harvie said: "It's sickening. It's frightening. If we still believe in democracy, in human rights, in climate action, in justice for the occupied and the marginalised, then we need to reach out to those he threatens the most.
"They are the people with whom we need a 'special relationship'."
Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alex Cole-Hamilton, who campaigned for Kamala Harris in the US, said he "wish" he did more.
"This is devastating. For America For women For asylum seekers For the LGBTQ+ community For the fighting men and women of Ukraine For us all," he wrote on Twitter/X.
He added: "I’ll never forget or regret my time helping out or the people I met. Just I wish I’d done more."
Former first minister Humza Yousaf offered his reaction to the news, saying on social media: "Demonise Trump voters. Democrats are architects of their own misery.
"If you fail to motivate your base, worse, give them reasons not to come out for you (Gaza, no progressive vision for economy, etc) don't act surprised if that's not a winning strategy."
SNP MP Pete Wishart said about the result: "It's difficult to try and assess what has led to this but it is bad. The worst possible result at the worst possible time."
His colleague SNP MP Stephen Gethins wrote: "The case for European solidarity and security cooperation was clear yesterday and vital today."
However, First Minister John Swinney offered his congratulations Trump after the former president declared a “magnificent victory”.
Swinney, who had previously endorsed Kamala Harris for the presidency, said: “Scotland and the USA share many social, cultural and economic links.
“In that relationship, we will stand fast in support of our values of fairness, democracy and equality – ideals that America was built upon.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also congratulated Trump on his win in a statement posted on social media.
He said he knew many people in the US and beyond would be disappointed in the result but called for people to “respect democracy”.
“I have expressed strong views about Donald Trump and I continue to have concerns about the politics and narratives that he legitimises,” he said.
He added: “That relationship is important between our governments, but it goes beyond that. We have personal, business and cultural ties too and they have just become even more important to protect and strengthen.”
