Bernie Sanders "prepared to work with Trump" but ready to oppose extreme policies

Vermont senator Bernie Sanders has vowed to work with Donald Trump after the Republican was elected as the 45th president of the United States on Tuesday, but promised to fiercely oppose any policies that contained "racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment" sentiments.

Sanders had previously been highly critical of Trump's actions and policies during the Republican's campaign, and actively campaigned on behalf of former Democratic primary rival Hillary Clinton ahead of the election.

The New York businessman gained a comprehensive victory after a high percentage of white working and middle class Americans backed his plans to "Make America Great Again", and Sanders commented that Trump's campaign was able to speak to voters who felt unconvinced by the establishment.

"Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media," Sanders said in a statement.

"To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him," he added.

However, Sanders said that he and others stood by ready to "vigorously" oppose any policies that were against their agenda.

"To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."

Sanders tapped into a similar feeling among voters after gaining vast amounts of support from anti-establishment voters during his contest with Clinton in the Democratic primaries.