Faces of despair at Clinton party in Manhattan

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A woman cries as election results are announced during Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night rally in the Jacob Javits Center glass enclosed lobby in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - For thousands of people who were ready to celebrate at Hillary Clinton's election party in Manhattan, the mood slowly sunk into despair as election results showed Donald Trump winning several swing states.

Clinton supporters who gathered outside the intended site of her election night party stared quietly at their smartphones. Some cried.

"I'm terrified," said Niki Rarig, 34, who traveled to New York City from Portland, Oregon, for what they thought would be a victory celebration. "I just can't even imagine what a Trump presidency would look like."

As the night wore on, the shape of the contest was startling to Clinton and her aides, who ended their campaign exuding confidence. Many stopped returning calls and text messages as the votes were tallied. Clinton, her family and close aides were hunkered down to watch returns at a Manhattan hotel suite.

The party ended in the early morning hours without an appearance from Clinton. About an hour later, she called to concede to Donald Trump across town in Manhattan.

With the Associated Press.