On Tuesday, November 8, Donald Trump secured the more than 270 Electoral College votes necessary to win the presidency. Since the election, the country has been divided with some thrilled their candidate won, and others terrified about what this means for the future. We asked 23 college women to share what they think about Trump’s election — read their thoughts below!
“We could have made history. We could have elected the first female president of the United States. But instead, the America we are looking at now is one where the social change we have worked so hard for is in jeopardy. Trump’s America is one full of hatred, fear and bullying that only has room for one kind of American: the white male. With this future ahead o us, I worry not only for my fellow females, but also for the LGBT community, minority populations, refugee populations and quite honestly: the entire world.”
-Christina, Fordham University Class of 2018
“I'm so excited, but I have to tone it down because I know how upset everyone else it. I truly believe that his policies can build this country up. With Trump, we will have secure borders, jobs will come back to America, and Obamacare will be appealed. I don't believe that Hillary would have brought much change. Not only do her email scandals deter me, but I was not happy with her pay-to-play schemes, or how the Clinton Foundation funded Chelsea's $3 million wedding. A Clinton presidency would have been more of that.”
-Ingrid, Auburn University Class of 2018
“I don't think I've ever been so disappointed. It just shows how bigoted, misogynistic, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic this country is. A year ago, I laughed at Trump's candidacy because who could ever imagine that the population would think a reality star is qualified to be the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Now here we are, and I feel like the degree in Political Science I've worked so hard to earn these past four years means nothing.”
-Catherine, Boston College Class of 2017
“This was not the outcome I expected or wanted. I supported Hillary Clinton from the time of the primaries, even making my first, of many, political donations in her name. When she won the nomination, I was over the moon. When she campaigned against a man who goes against everything I believe in, I supported her. The truth is, I'm scared. As a woman, minority, Catholic, millennial American — I am scared. My worst fears came true. Our country elected a racist, sexist, xenophobic, sorry excuse for a man. Hate won, prejudice won, discrimination won, homophobia won, and sexism won. He says he wants to make our country great again. He says he wants to be a president for all Americans. But everything we have seen up to this point proves the opposite. He doesn’t want to be my president. Nothing in his past gives me confidence that he will speak for me, so don’t tell me otherwise. Don’t tell me I shouldn’t be scared for my future. Don’t tell me I’m overreacting. My feelings are justified.”
-Victoria, Texas A&M Class of 2016
“It's an interesting dynamic with this newly elected president. I see posts from friends and followers on social media saying how much they hate Trump for his actions and others who love his ideas, or love Hillary because she's female or want to send her to prison. This election is the first time I've seen such a divide. I'm worried more than anything of that divide causing harm to citizens of this country and an increase in violence and crime. I think the main reason for such harsh words and criticism is the extreme differences of the two candidates. I just don't want to live in a country with so much hatred.”
-Anne, West Virginia Wesleyan College Class of 2019
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“I am very, very scared. My queerness, woman-ness, person-of-color-ness will have no place in Trump's America, and I'm absolutely terrified to see and experience how exactly everything I am is going to be slowly obliterated from his vision for our country.”
-Nia, Rutgers University Class of 2020
“Donald Trump should be given a chance. Similar to the Brexit vote, this clearly shows that America is angry. Not only that, America is scared. War scares people. Unemployment scares people. A threat of another recession scares people. There are billions of Chinese but only half a billion Americans, that's terrifying. People are thinking big picture, and clearly they are scared of the same politics that plagued the last eight years going on for another term. With the Black Lives Matter movement, attacks on police officers, and mass shootings, America is scared, and they have elected who they believe can lead them better than anyone else. This country wasn't founded by politicians, it was founded by businessmen. Ronald Reagan was one of the best presidents this country has ever had. Therefore, Donald Trump deserves a chance to lead us through the fear. Regardless of who leads us, Americans need to remember that we live in the greatest country in the world. Russia can't say that. China can't say that. While they may scare us, we are America, and we will get through this.”
-Cristina, Marist College Class of 2017
“I am not concerned about Trump. I am more concerned about the racism and sexism he is enabling in this country.”
-Lu, Augustana Class of 2018
“It shall be interesting.”
-Emily, UConn Class of 2017
“I am happy for America because I think Trump will do a fantastic job. I am scared for my community and school because many of my colleagues are not taking it well. There have been so many protests and I know people are not reacting well to the news. I just hope the violence stops.”
-Sara, UCLA Class of 2019
“Hillary's slogan that we are ‘Stronger Together’ still rings true. We need to come together as a nation and continue to stand up for what we believe in. We need to protect our rights and the rights of those who cannot protect themselves. It is our duty as citizens, now more than ever, to stay strong and continue to be powerful as a public. And if we do this, just maybe we can actually make America great again... after electing someone as terrible as Trump.”
-Emily, University of Michigan Class of 2018
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“My mind cannot even come close to understanding how this could have happened. I don't think it wants to, I don't think it wants to accept that this narcissistic, sexist, racist man is going to be our President. I think everyone can agree that neither one of the main party candidates were ideal but really? You claim that Hillary is corrupt because Trump said so but nobody seems to care to listen to what the FBI had to say each time they failed to find anything, when they told the public that nothing was there. You claim that you support Trump because he will make 'America Great Again' but can't you see that it already is great? Trump has done nothing but lie and you can't deny that because there is evidence of it in everything word that comes out of his mouth. We have just sentenced our country to 60 years because even though he may only be President for four years, he is sending us back to the times we fought so hard to push past. We had put in so much progress to get to where we are and now it has all gone to waste. I am deeply concerned for the future of our country, whether or not we will be able to recover from such a presidency.”
-Alejandra, Lone Star College Class of 2016
“It literally terrifies me, especially as a woman and a minority. The idea now that everything — the White House, the Senate, Congress and soon enough The Supreme Court — could be majority Republican makes me fear for the policy changes to come. What will happen to marriage equality and the standing of Roe. v. Wade? What will happen to the healthcare system and Planned Parenthood? What is our foreign policy going to look like with a president and cabinet that leaders across the world will undoubtedly see as a joke (minus Putin)? What about the economy? What about climate change? What about criminal justice reform? What about the war on terror? It's so scary. And to think his first year in office will also be my first year in the real world/workforce. I have no idea what's going to happen because nothing Trump has ever said in the election or debates has been based in truth and actual planning — only in the desire to win, no matter what cost. I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry myself to sleep election night. But it wasn't entirely because Hillary didn't win, but because I also now know how many people truly despise the 'others' in this country. And I never want to hear about how sexual assault and rape accusations can destroy a man's life again, when a chief example of this very thing just became the President of the United States.”
-Sarah, Montclair State University Class of 2017
“I think it shows there are far too many people willing to tolerate and accept, if not support, unacceptable behavior and opinions in our society.”
-Lindsay, Penn State Class of 2017
“If you have been preaching tolerance at everyone else for the last 8 years and now you're not tolerant of the results and those around you, reconsider those actions because fighting hate with more hate will not create positive change. It will not promote progress. If you have proudly carted around a sign that said, 'Love Trumps Hate' for the last year and a half, it's time to put that attitude into action and show the world how love trumps hate. 'When they go low, we go high' and now is that time; to go high. To promote love. To not stop fighting for what you believe in but to do so with humility, compassion, and an open heart. That's my American dream. I'm sad, I cried, I'm angry; but I'm not done fighting for what I believe in and I will do that by showing love to those who I don't agree with because I'm with her.”
-Julianne, University of Utah Class of 2018
“For the first time, I've never been so ashamed to be an American.”
-Cassie, Towson University Class of 2017
"I feel that Donald Trump being elected President puts a number of ethnic groups in harmful positions. His presidency will damage our economy and do nothing for the working class. Each policy he introduced was vague and flawed; he cannot be trusted as President of the United States. As a person, Donald Trump is a superficial, womanizing racist. The fact that he was allowed to become President, given the criminality of his financial history, is mind-boggling. He does not have any political background, and has no reason to be accepted as our president."
-Caitlyn, Buffalo State Class of 2020
“I am devastated by Hillary Clinton's loss, and am still reeling from the fact that the glass ceiling has become even thicker. I mourn the loss that the young girls and women of this country are feeling, and I am very much feeling it with them. At the end of the day, I have to continue to hope for the best, and continue to look for the light, so along with every other person in this country who is devastated, angered and has been awakened by this outcome: we will endure, and someday soon, we will be okay again.”
-Liv, UConn Class of 2017
“I am studying in Sweden so I have been following the election from here and sent in an absentee ballot for Clinton. As an American abroad I was almost embarrassed to face my European peers. Here is a man who made a mockery of what it means to run a politics campaign, degrading minorities, immigrants, women, the disabled, etc. at every opportunity, and we elected him to arguably the most powerful position in the world. What's even more devastating and disappointing is that we had this highly qualified, experienced, passionate candidate in Hillary Clinton, but we as a country voted to keep that glass ceiling in place. I am ashamed in my fellow Americans who still can't fathom the idea of a woman president. And now I am fearful for what the future holds in regards to women's rights, my right to an abortion, to free birth control, my right to receive the same pay as a male colleague. I only hope the foolish and radical statements Trump made during his campaign were just for attention, just extremely offensive campaign strategy, and that moving forward he will not follow through with these threats to our country's wellbeing.”
-Karolina, Lund University Class of 2018
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“Donald Trump's victory is the collective middle finger of 60 million Americans to the establishment on both sides of the aisle. It feels like a personal victory for me because I have made mistakes, been ridiculed, been counted out, publicly humiliated and absolutely socially destroyed — but here I stand. It is not the end for me. I am not a deplorable. I have been waiting my entire life to give the establishment, the 'cool kids', with whom I have never fit in and who run this dense world that is so hard to break in to, the middle finger that Donald Trump has just delivered on an enormous scale. Donald Trump has overcome an unbelievable opposition and is now the leader of the free world. He is proof that we are capable of personal change and of the importance of frank admittance of folly, and of forgiveness. He is proof that nay-sayers, the incumbent 'cool kids' cannot rule you forever, and that institutionalized mob-mentality of condescension and imperialism can be beat with a genuine, honest, raw and so real passion for and confidence in yourself and in this country. I will never be the same.”
-Sydnie, University of Florida Class of 2017
“Excited!! Everyone has focused on non-issues thus far: his comments, comments from 20 years ago, his hair, his adjectives ('racist', etc.). Once we ACTUALLY take a look at substance and his proposed policies, he has some really great ideas. His economic plan is strong, and I know he will surround himself with brilliant policymakers and leaders to guide him. As a businessman, he knows how to create jobs and is not some corrupt power-hungry insider. I am really excited to see where his ideas and love for America bring us because Donald Trump offers REAL change and has solid policy ideas to make America great again!!!!”
-Laura, UConn Class of 2018
"Even though the results were upsetting for some of us, I do think it will give us an even more urgent reason and motive to fight. Our eyes have been opened to the cold, biting reality of America and what the majority of us stand for — we need to fight together. We also need to break away from complacency, a trait I see in many younger individuals. We need to wake up, and I do think that Trump's presidency will wake us up, kindling the lukewarm fire into a fierce, red-hot inferno."
-Grace, New York University Class of 2016
"The fact that Trump got elected is concerning, but what's more concerning is his VP, Mike Pence. Together they will likely quiet the voices of marginalized groups. That in itself is an issue that then relates to how people will be treated. I think by electing Trump and Pence, as a country, the USA has taken many steps backwards. We no longer are pursuing progress as a society because our leaders don't appear to value progress."
-Emily, University of Wisconsin Class of 2017