In his victory speech at the Democratic Celebration Hall in Chicago, President Barack Obama told the thousands of supporters gathered that they voted for action. He said whether he earned voters' support or not, he listened to their cries and their concerns and has acted upon them. Obama said because of every issue surrounding the groups that make up America, he has become a better President and will return to the White House more determined and inspired more, to work hard to meet the people at their point of their needs.
Many around the world rejoiced at Obama's re-election but there are also mixed feelings, after what many believe is the unfulfilled promise of his first term. Will he do better this time around?
On the BBC World Service programme World Have Your Say, correspondents from around the world spoke about what the listeners in their regions were saying about the next four years of the Obama presidency.
BBC Mundo Social Media and Interactivity Editor David Cuen, said there were mixed responses from the Latin American community and Spain. He said there was happiness, optimism, scepticism, indifference and some even who said Obama won because of the Latino vote, so now he has to deliver.
Aurora Maria Flores, a BBC?Mundo listener from Argentina posted on a social network: " Yay! now he has to honour all his commitments to the Latin population and to all the migrants who play an important role in the US".
Another comment from an Obama supporter in Ecuador read: "We are breathing a sigh of relief at Obama's victory as a Republican President would not have been a better alternative, but I hope they will collaborate more and obstruct less...let me dream for a while."
Cuen said the Latin population wants Obama to keep his commitments because there hasn't been migration reform in the US, a new bill hasn't been approved giving more rights to migrants and the Latino population, so Latinos now feel because of their support, President Obama has to deliver more.
There were similar sentiments from Brazil, according to Bruno Garcez from BBC Brazil. He quoted a comment from an Obama supporter who said it was an important victory for immigrants who rely on Obama and without him, they risk facing mass deportation.
Another Brazilian who does not support Obama said the world will have more wars, Iran and North Korea are likely to be attacked with the re-election of the "War Lord" Obama. "His re-election wont's stop drug trafficking in Mexico-or stop the wars," read another.
Garcez said Brazilian citizens also criticised the US electronic voting system saying technology is way too advanced for comment which was posted on the social network Twitter said, "Why don't you ask BBC Brazil to look at the voting system here? Electronic voting has been in place since 1996 in because of the fears that exist, surrounding it in the US."
Ruhua Xianyu from BBC Chinese said Chinese people do use social media platforms to follow the US elections, she said some comments showed support and happiness for the President's win.
Some also placed heavy emphasis on the level of democracy in the US especially with the re-election of Obama, saying they hope one day China can do the same. These comments are particularly pertinent in light of this week's transfer of leadership in the Chinese politburo. Others felt the US elections really had nothing to do with China.
Mai Noman from BBC Arabic said the Arabic views ranged from scepticism to hope. Some listeners in the Middle East said regardless to who the President is, in foreign policy terms, nothing much will happen for the Middle East. Others believe Obama's re-election is much better than having Romney in the White House as the feeling is that Republican governments tend to wage wars in the region.
On Twitter, some of the listeners from the Middle East were negative about some of the aggression under the Obama regime, especially drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "He may not wage a full war but he is still killing innocent people," one listener said.
Celebrity reactions
International and local celebrities took to social networking sites to register their feelings about the re-election of President Barack Obama and the defeat of challenger Mitt Romney.
Price urged Trinidadians to show the same level of interest in local politics that they showed in the run up to the US?election. So now that the dust is settling on de r--s cut--e of Mitt Romney... I wish, hope & pray the SAME diligence meted out for the US elections by Trinbago's citizens could be applied to Trinidad & Tobago politicians.
The SAME way we checked & double checked every "fact" that fell from Romney's lips...
The SAME way we scoffed and immediately rejected flimsy excuses for half-truths, quarter-truths and downright lies coming from the Romney camp...
The SAME way we recognized the fake from the real deal...
I want that SAME level of adamant positive public scrutiny for my beautiful country.
- Rachel Price
Headley who is currently in London where she's starring in the West End production of The Bodyguard used her Facebook page to ask her fans to pray for President Obama.
"...and with that, Barack Obama was voted the President of the United States of America.
I hope that no matter WHO you voted for, we can all agree on a convicting verse that always kicks me in the you-know-where whenever I read it.
It says: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior...."
So, l'm going to pray that God grants guidance and wisdom to President Obama, because this is good and it pleases God...not to mention the fact that HE and his family NEED ALL OUR PRAYERS!"
- Heather Headley
But it was on Twitter where the widest range of celebrity views were aired including those of First Lady Michelle Obama.
More than anything, I want to thank you all for everything. I am so grateful to every one of you for your support and your prayers.
- Michelle Obama
I JUST GOT OFF STAGE IN COLUMBIA!! CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT @BarackObama We are so proud to be American tonight! YES!!! YES! YES!!
- Lady Gaga, singer
And to @TammyBaldwinWI for being elected the first openly gay senator in the HISTORY of The United States. #inspiring #brave #courageous
- Lady Gaga, singer
Wow! Wow! Wow! #Obama2012 YOU DID IT AMERICA! YOU DID IT!
- Kerry Washington, actress
Amazing speech by @BarackObama re-elected for his 2nd term! America is and can be united for the greater good of all Americans!
- Eva Longoria, actress
No jokes I'm just happy my girls get to grow up in a better world than I did.
- Chris Rock, comedian
Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan. You fought the good fight and I am proud! @MittRomney @RepPaulRyan
- Stacey Dash, actress
Most celebrities were gracious and measured in their comments, however, billionaire Donald Trump engaged in what many newspapers called a 'Twitter tirade'. He posted a series of bitter tweets against President Obama which were later deleted. Here are a few of those tweets.
"Let's fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us."
"We can't let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!"
"The election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy!"
- Donald Trump
Local celebrities like Rachel Price and Heather Headley who supported President Barack Obama, used their Facebook pages to share their views.