Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump was elected to be the 47th President of the United States on Nov. 5, defeating Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election after winning 312 electoral votes over Harris’ 226. Trump won all seven battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Arizona, overturning several “blue wall” states, according to the Associated Press.
Several members of the school community had mixed reactions toward the election results. History teacher Michelle Martinez said the shortcomings of the Democratic Party’s campaign made the results somewhat predictable, but said she was surprised at Trump’s victory despite his controversial political and personal record.
“The outcome of the election was both a surprise and not a surprise, considering the unpopularity of the Democratic Party under Biden that I think did not help Harris’ campaign, and the growing trend towards conservatism since 2016 among men, especially those between 18-25, and more rural parts of the U.S.,” Martinez said. “However, I was surprised that a candidate that has faced impeachment, made inflammatory remarks and has faced legal battles can still officially run for the office of president and win. I think this will impact how we view the office of the president and who we consider qualified for the position in the next elections.”
Clara Conrad ’25 said she fears Trump’s lack of diplomacy in handling national and foreign policy will pose significant challenges to global stability.
“I’m concerned about Trump’s xenophobic and racist rhetoric surrounding immigration, as I fundamentally believe they violate the goals of the American ethos,” Conrad said. “I’m also anxious about larger geopolitical issues in Ukraine, Taiwan and the Middle East. I believe Trump’s overly crass way of handling delicate situations could be incredibly dangerous for the entire world.”
Kate Israel ’26 said she was devastated by the results of the election, and is concerned that many marginalized groups will lose their rights under the agenda of Project 2025. Project 2025 is a conservative movement which main objectives are to “secure the border, finish building the wall and deport illegal aliens,” according to its website. The organization additionally aims to ban transgender females from competing in womens’ sports.
“I’m worried about what will happen to the rights of women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community,” Israel said. “I’m also confused as to why America decided to elect a convicted felon over one of the most qualified candidates in U.S. history. One issue I’m apprehensive about is female reproductive rights, along with Project 2025. These issues have the potential to severely limit access to safe and legal abortions, even in cases when they are medically necessary. I’m scared for those who could be negatively impacted by a reduction of these rights, like sexual assault victims and those who experience non-viable pregnancies.”
Beau Cartwright ’27 said she believes Trump’s foreign tariff policy will hurt consumers and that his tax policies are unfair.
“I think the prices of items that we need day to day, like food and gas, will go up even though his plan is to avoid this,” Cartwright said. “In addition, decreasing taxes for the top 1% is something that I’m worried about, too. Shifting the taxes towards the middle class is bad because the rich and wealthy won’t have to contribute their fair part in society. I think that’s really alarming.”
Conversely, Barron Linnekens ’26 said he is in favor of Trump’s economic policies due to their potential to allow Americans to increase their personal wealth.
“What I’m most excited for in Trump’s presidency is how the stock market reacts to his administration,” Linnekens said. “In the day after the election, it jumped almost an entire percentage point, which is amazing. The average American net worth multiplied by 1.8 times during Trump’s first term from 2016 to 2020. I’m especially excited that his presidency will carry over into when I become an adult. Having the ability to easily build capital is going to be really beneficial in a world where inflation is such a big deal.”
Linnekens said he believes the reason many battleground states such as Michigan and Wisconsin flipped Republican is partly due to Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator and newly Vice President-elect J.D.
“I think it, in part, is because of J.D. Vance,” Linnekens said. “I think Vance did an incredible job with his debates, and whether you agree with his stances on certain policies or not, I think he argued them in a really clear and concise way. I also think that it’s just a matter of whose policies voters align more with. Harris didn’t run on the exact same platform that Biden ran on, so while voters may have aligned more closely to Biden’s policies than Trump’s, they might have been closer to Trump’s than Harris’. It’s all about that spectrum, so I think that’s why this election was different from last year’s.”
Cole Firshein ’26 said they are appalled at the immigration policies that Trump spoke of in his campaign.
“I think it’s crazy that he’s planning to deport 11 million people,” Firshein said. “And not just people trying to cross the border, but people who already have roots in America, people who have family, connections, businesses. People whose kids were born here and are citizens and have been living here for years and years. Yet, he still wants to deport them, even though they contribute greatly to the economy, which is what his issue was with immigrants in the first place, that they took away from the economy.”
The 48 million immigrants who reside in the U.S. generated $1.6 trillion in 2022, according to an analysis of census data by the American Immigration Council. Additionally, it is projected by the Congressional Budget Office that increased immigration could reduce the U.S. federal budget deficit by $897 billion over the next decade. Undocumented immigrants contributed $96.7 billion to the economy via federal, state and local taxes in 2022, and a study from the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy found that providing these immigrants with work permits would cause their yearly tax contributions to rise to $136.9 billion.
Graham Ross ’26 said while he does not foresee Trump’s victory drastically impacting his daily life, he is worried about possible repercussions on other groups.
“I’m privileged to be a white male, a group which isn’t targeted in the U.S.,” Ross said. “My rights aren’t the ones at stake, but that doesn’t mean Trump isn’t a threat. I’m worried about many of his policies, especially regarding abortion. Trump has various loopholes, such as enforcing the Comstock Act, that he could use to enforce a [de facto] nationwide abortion ban. I think Trump is a danger to the health of our democracy as well as the rights of many Americans.”
Jim Jameson • Dec 2, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Morons.
Don • Dec 1, 2024 at 2:36 pm
Seems these teachers have many loose nuts in their heads. Probably should not be teaching.
R. Bacon • Dec 1, 2024 at 2:12 pm
The indoctrination of student thinking by left wing academia has been successful.
They actually really believe in the misinformation they have been fed.
Lynda • Dec 1, 2024 at 1:39 pm
these students need to return to the study room and review the facts…how about reading & studying the constitution
joe • Dec 1, 2024 at 12:28 pm
40k per year tuition gets you this?!
RealmanPwns • Dec 1, 2024 at 2:05 am
The students are brainwashed. It’s pathetic.
john844 • Nov 30, 2024 at 10:02 pm
What a bunch of morons! And people wonder why I have no hope for the future…
Sara • Nov 30, 2024 at 9:34 pm
The people interviewed appear to be repeating the talking points of the media. They should educate themselves on the Trump policies before commenting. For example, abortion is legal in almost all states. Trump is not in favor of a ban on all abortion.
Zeke • Nov 30, 2024 at 9:31 pm
Wow totally anti trump article.
Maybe the people that voted for him actually think he will make the world MORE stable. The only proficient in decades that didn’t start a war while in office.
That Putin didn’t invade another country don’t and including Clinton.
That North Korea stopped shooting missiles.
Used fake stats. Using IMMIGRANTS, instead of those that crossed the border illegally gives false data. Immigrants that come here with an education and job prospects are going to benefit the economy. Those across the border with the clothes on their back, and no real job skills that will benefit the economy do not boost the economy.
Let’s look at real numbers.
In the big cities typically now it averages over $20,000 a year per student. Since most of those crossing the border are going to go to the big cities is bwhere there is the most help we can figure that that’s where most of them are going. Ignoring the fact that many of them are not proficient English speakers, it actually cost more to educate them. But we will ignore that for this.
If out of the 15 million people that cross the border illegally were children
So 1 million students times $20,000 =
$20,000,000,000.
Please don’t expect us to believe that people that are crossing the border with the clothes on their back are going to be able to pay $20,000 a year to educate their child. Then families often have more than one so then you’re talking 40 60 80,000 a year.
If you don’t cut off the illegal immigration that number is just going to skyrocket. It won’t be 1 million it’ll be two three four five million students or more.
That does not include housing food utilities medical and any other expenses. Illegal immigration is bankrupting the USA
Men who pee standing up. • Nov 30, 2024 at 9:25 pm
What a collection of dimwits, except for the one pro Trump person interviewed.
Nobody gives a damn what these morons think or worry about. Good grief. Get a grip.
Phergus • Nov 30, 2024 at 9:04 pm
The absolute shallowness of these millennial and gen Z cogs is off the charts ignorant.
Bryan Ditman • Nov 30, 2024 at 8:52 pm
I don’t think it’s possible to underestimate how much people value safe communities, a good paying job and a government that has their prosperity as its Number One priority. Failure to deport violent illegal alien criminals is inexcusable and stupidly dangerous. Failure to secure the border and protect our children from gangs and fentanyl is a guarantee that tens of thousands of people will die. Avoiding war as a solution for world problems is the avenue to peace. A lot of the fears voiced here are unfounded. I understand, these are just kids. I’m an old man, I have seen this world. You are never better off with incompetent leadership. Kamala wasn’t the person we needed. After you kids have grown and become parents too, you’ll understand why safety, prosperity and world peace are the most essential goals.
Dan • Nov 30, 2024 at 8:50 pm
Truth only comes to individuals through immense honesty and objectivity to the cognitive rationale of one’s surroundings.
We always need to subject our mind in the reality of now, unless we are clinically not available to do that.
All the thinking and no action is a delusion. Laziness kills.
John Eckstrom • Nov 30, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Programed students already into group think most will become journalist
Bill • Nov 30, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Who is teaching you students all this garbage? 80% of what I just read is untrue.
Al • Nov 30, 2024 at 8:42 pm
What a bunch of simps you all are. Once you leave your parents basement, you will encounter a different world NOT attached to your pathetic viewpoints.
clint • Nov 30, 2024 at 8:21 pm
25, 26, & 27 year old students comments at top hi-school, duh
Carl Tuckerson • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:25 pm
A whole lot of snow flakes.
Sweettea • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:21 pm
Frightening to think this is our future. Hopefully they learn to separate the psychological effects of Trump from the practical results of his actions. I’m certain they’ve grown up in a dystopian echo chamber.
richard yett • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:13 pm
There are over 11 million illegals that have crossed in the last 4 years and those illegals do not have roots here so send them back. Then start sending back the millions that have come over in the 8 years before that. Stop the phony birthright citizenship for tourists and illegals. Stop counting illegals in the census.
Unknown • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Oh, and we all know the felony conviction won’t hold up to an appeal.
Barry Bakerstanowiz • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:07 pm
There students, they have a very myopic view of reality, probably watching mainstream media , CNN MSNBC CNBC NY TIMES WASH POST ETc. LOL there still learning .
Unknown • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:05 pm
“ I’m worried about what will happen to the rights of women…”.
What about the rights of women to not be forced to compete directly against biological males? What about their right to have women’s bathrooms free from biological males?
Larry Kerns • Nov 30, 2024 at 7:04 pm
What a load of crap
shady dave • Nov 30, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Cheese logs.