DUP leader Gavin Robinson has congratulated Donald Trump on “a big win” in the United States presidential election.

In a post on X, Robinson said that voters in the US “have clearly spoken”.

“We look forward to seeing him in Northern Ireland during his term as President,” he added.

Politicians across the UK and Republic of Ireland have been reacting to news that Trump will make a historic return to the White House.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris has pledged to work to “deepen and strengthen the historic and unbreakable bonds” between Ireland and the US.

He echoed comments from the DUP leader, saying “the people of the United States have spoken”.

“Ireland and the United States have deep and historical bonds of people, and we will work to make these even stronger in the years ahead,” he added.

“The world faces many challenges and needs leadership to meet them.

“With the US and Ireland’s shared commitment to democracy and international law, we can, and will, tackle these challenges.”

Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin has also congratulated Trump, adding that he is looking forward to working with the new administration “in a constructive manner”.

He said regular high-level political engagement with the new US administration and on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill will be a high priority for the Irish government.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said it is “disheartening” to see that Trump’s “divisive brand of politics has been so widely endorsed”.

“Many people will be feeling low today, and I hope they will take care,” she said.

“The best response to this is to organise, and to think about the ways that we can help protect community cohesion, security, and the planet.”

In this most unpredictable of elections, one thing is safe to say: as he contemplates his achievement, Donald Trump is not consumed with thought of what it means for Northern Ireland.

So far, going by the muted reaction here in Northern Ireland, and he is in agreement on that.

Unlike last time, no tub thumping in support by major DUP figures, for example.

Last time there was no presidential visit, but then Stormont was suspended for most of his tenure.

However, near the end of April 2022, he did finally appoint a Special Envoy, Mick Mulvaney, though he resigned the following January in protest at the Capitol riots.

Will the outgoing envoy Joe Kennedy 111 be replaced is question number one.

And so, along with the rest of the world, we wait to see what’s coming.

But make no mistake, we are well down any queue.