40 iconic photos reflect the roller coaster of emotions the country experienced in the final month of the election

The last month of the election was marked by scandal after scandal.

A lewd 2005 tape surfaced of Republican president-elect Donald Trump bragging about groping women and kissing them without permission.

Finding the courage to come forward after the video leaked, over a dozen women accused Trump of sexually assaulting them. He denied every allegation.

After appearing to finally be past the email investigation that embroiled her early campaign, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was broadsided again when FBI Director James Comey announced he was examining new emails from when Clinton used a private server while secretary of state. A week later — and only three days before the election — Comey told Congress there was no need to investigate her further.

And the widely watched, brutal debates between the two candidates only increased the divisiveness across the country. While Clinton appeared to be the overwhelming favorite in nearly all the polls, her ascension was never really certain.

It has been an emotional month. After waking up to the shock of President-elect Trump, Americans are likely still feeling raw emotions — whether they were the half who voted for him or not.

Here are 40 iconic photos from the election's bitter final month:

See Also:

• Exit polls show Clinton underperformed with black and Hispanic voters

• What it was really like to be inside Trump's victory party

• Hillary Clinton had a powerful message for young women after losing to Trump

SEE ALSO: 'Hatred wins': Newspapers around the world are in shock over Trump upset

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