By Alexis Mohammed, Kayleen Lopez, Jailyn Marte, Randy Roque, Chuk Michael Onwuamaegbu, Jerina Forbes, Marcel Cole
The results of the 2024 election have been officially announced, confirming Donald J. Trump as the new and returning President of the United States and James David Vance as the Vice President. Despite facing numerous scandals and legal challenges, Trump has emerged victorious in the eyes of the American electorate.
The election, marked by controversy, anxiety, and intense distrust, has left many individuals feeling uncertain about the direction of the country.
In the wake of the election results, York College students were asked to think about the implications and outcomes of this pivotal moment. The campus also reflected on the significant political, social, and economic repercussions of this decision.
For many at York College, who are low-income families, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, women, and people of color, these results pose a great risk to their human rights.
Here’s what they have to say on the aftermath of the electoral debate between Kamala Harris v. Donald J Trump:
Gupreet Singh, 20
Queens, NY
What do you think about Trump coming into office?
“Well, initially, I didn’t really care. So it’s just I’ll see what he does in office first, and then I’ll think about it. “
How do you feel about the election as a whole?
“Yesterday, I saw on the news that some ballots weren’t working. And they said they were supposed to be counted. I’m pretty sure it was kind of rigged because how do I know if those votes were counted or not?”
Do you think the next four years of President Donald Trump will be different from his first four years?
“Yes, because he should learn from his mistakes. Because his first four years were a trial run, and his second four years, he should know better. I’m in student government, and in my 1st year, I was making all my mistakes. And in my second year, I learned to make less mistakes.”
What messages do these results send to America from your point of view?
Might makes right.
Rebecca Hirsch, 25
Long Island, New York
How do you feel about Donald Trump being president again?
Not great. I kind of expected it, but it’s still disappointing. Not looking forward to the next four years, it’s going to be tough.
Describe how you feel about the election as a whole.
Also, not too many positive feelings. I don’t think the Democratic Party did a really great job with their platforming. They were leaning a lot on rightwing platforms and I think that isolated a lot of their voter base.
Do you think the next four years of President Donald Trump will be different from his first four years?
Different in the sense that I think they’re going to be a lot worse. Like with Project 2025 I think they’re going to be a lot more extreme with their fascist policies and stuff. I think it’s going to be a little worse than the first four years. Especially with the Senate also and the Supreme Court also being red, you know, majority read, it’s not gonna be great things happening.
Lastly, what message do you think the results send to America?
That they don’t care about minorities and women and that you know, white Christian values are what is important. That is what’s going to be prioritized.
Janelle Sinclair, 23
Hometown: Jamaica, West-Indies
To be honest, I don’t think he’s the best option. I don’t have like facts to back up my statement, but based on his previous presidency and just overall opinions about him, he doesn’t seem like the best choice. And heard a few things like he might be a felon, multiple felonies, it’s pretty interesting that they will let someone like him become president when there are so many other options with people who maybe have more character, but hey, we got who we got, and hopefully God is going to make sure he doesn’t screw the country over too much. Well, I think having elections is very important because you get to exercise your right to democracy, you get to use your voice, and you get to speak on the changes that you would like to see. I think having an election is awesome, even if the candidates are not very good picks, it still gives us an opportunity to maybe grow as a nation, so hopefully we can experience growth from this election. Being that, I’m not fully sure what he did in his first four years. I can’t really say too much. I do have some hope, though, that maybe the economy will become better. Also maybe crime might drop a little. We’ll see. I’m not 100% sure. We might have some riots and just a little bit of, you know, chaos from the results, but after that, hopefully we’ll just have growth and peace and like changes. But I’m not too hopeful.
Gustavo Villalva, 20
Hometown: Mexico
Describe how you feel about Donald Trump being president again?
I guess I don’t feel great because as an immigrant, coming from immigrant parents, just hearing the statements that he says, it doesn’t feel right. I guess I don’t feel represented as well as I want.
How do you feel about the election as a whole?
I think the candidates weren’t the greatest. But considering I do lean more towards the Democrat side, I think it would have been better. I would have seen it better if a Democrat would’ve won.
Do you think the next four years of Donald Trump’s presidency would be better than the last four that he served or potentially the same?
I think it’ll probably be the same. I think maybe for the economy, it’ll be a little better, but still just more of the same.
What message do you think these results send to America, the people? I think we should be more united. I believe more people should vote. I think, as many people voted because they didn’t think it mattered, they should take their vote more seriously and have the courage to take a stand to let their voice be heard..
Prabheep Singh, 19
How do you feel being that Donald Trump was elected president?
Man, This is the first time I’m kind of scared, not going to hold you because knowing that he might eliminate the Department of Education, women’s rights, and birthright citizenship, it’s kinda scary not going to hold you.
How do you feel about the election as a whole?
At least it was fair but I thought Kamala was gonna win in my opinion. I honestly had hopes for her.
How do you think the next 4 years are gonna be, being that he already served the past 4 years? Do you think it’s going to be better, the same, or worst?
I feel like it might be. Here’s the thing, I talked to some people who are Trump supporters, but they don’t know who we’re living under, if we’re living under his tax laws. When he’s gonna be president in 2026, we’re going to live under Joe Biden’s tax plan that’ll benefit the working class. But he’s gonna take all the credit so I feel like it might be the same or I hope not for the worst.
Lastly, what message do you think these results sent to Americans?
If I had to say like— if there’s a takeaway I guess hate triumphs over hope, unfortunately.
