Donald Trump has stunned the world by becoming America's 45th president.

And the question on many peoples' lips is: "When does he get the nuclear codes and how easy is it for him to use them?."

During his campaign towards the White House Trump denied he would recklessly launch any nuclear action, however, the mere thought of him having the responsibility to do so has struck fear in many.

So exactly how easy is it for the celebrity businessman to use his nuclear codes?

The Herald:

The Washington Post says a military aide must stay close to Trump at all times carrying a briefcase known as the 'nuclear football'.

The briefcase contains a book which is known as 'the biscuit'. In the book it details a list of strike options and secure bunkers the President can use as well as the all important card with authentication codes for the President to confirm his identity.

Trump will have the sole authority to use nuclear weapons.

The Herald:

At the moment America owns 900 nuclear warheads.

As news broke of Trump's victory global stock markets and US stock futures plunged, reflecting investor concern over what a Trump presidency might mean for the US and world economies and trade.

Mr Trump has pledged to usher in sweeping changes to US foreign policy, including building a wall along the US-Mexico border and suspending immigration from countries with terrorism ties.

He has also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and spoken of building a better relationship with Moscow, worrying some in his own party who fear he will go easy on Mr Putin's provocations.

The Herald:

Mr Putin sent him a telegram of congratulations early on Wednesday.

Mr Trump upended years of political convention on his way to the White House, levelling harshly personal insults against his rivals, deeming Mexican immigrants rapists and murderers, and vowing to temporarily suspend Muslim immigration to the US.

He never released his tax returns, breaking with decades of campaign tradition, and eschewed the kind of robust data and field efforts that helped Mr Obama win two terms in the White House, relying instead on his large, free-wheeling rallies to energise supporters.