By Richard Cotto ’19
Republican Donald J. Trump shocked the entire world on Nov. 8 by winning the 2016 presidential election, beating out the Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton with 62 more electoral votes.
President-Elect Trump won the Electoral College and thus the election, coming in with 290 votes compared to Clinton’s 228. Clinton won the popular vote, and while votes are still being tallied, The New York Times predicts Clinton will have more than 2 million votes more than Trump. Only four presidents in American history have won the presidency without winning the popular vote, the most recent of which being former President George W. Bush, who beat Democratic nominee Al Gore in 2000.
Voters and the majority of the media consistently underestimated Trump’s campaign for the presidency. Early Tuesday morning, the odds that Trump would become president were slim to none and most media outlets predicted an 8 to 24 percent chance he would win the election. Trump defied those odds and passed the 270 mark in electoral votes early into Wednesday morning despite Clinton having a narrow edge in the popular vote.
Trump stunned voters and pundits alike when he came away with victories in many battleground states, including Pennsylvania, which has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
Chestnut Hill Students expected Trump’s presidency to shake things up.
“There will definitely be change,” said senior Devan Martinez. “I think with the help of a Republican majority in Congress, Trump will have an easier transition into office and he will be able to implement some of the ideas he stands for.”
“I think Trump will most definitely cut taxes for the middle class along with lowering corporate taxes,” said sophomore Jackie Rhodes. “I think he’ll be able to give corporations the opportunity to offer more jobs, inevitably shrinking the amount of people below the poverty line and unemployment rate.”
For Clinton supporters, disbelief quickly turned to anger and overwhelming fear, especially for women, members of the LGBTQ community and those of color who feel threatened by Trump’s actions and comments on the campaign trail.
Chestnut Hill College officials sought to address students’ concerns after the election. President Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, sent an email to students reaffirming the school’s dedication to inclusivity and commitment to minorities and women.
“At this moment in United States history, as move forward from this presidential election, let us be more kind, more thoughtful, more generous, more sensitive, and more respectful, mindful that we are all God’s children, equal and precious in God’s sight,” wrote Vale, later urging students to report cases of discrimination to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
In his acceptance speech in the early morning hours, Trump praised and acknowledged Clinton on a hard fought campaign and said he wanted to be a president for “all Americans,” including those who did not vote for him and even those who vigorously opposed him.
Trump spoke about rebuilding infrastructure and improving care of veterans. He appeared extremely diplomatic and calm, and seemed to want to appeal to Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
Later that day, Clinton gave her concession speech and urged her supporters to give the president-elect a chance to lead. She also explained the importance of a peaceful transition of power.
Despite Clinton’s conciliatory tone, protests have erupted in cities across the U.S., and the hashtag #NotMyPresident has been trending on multiple social media sites. The day after the election, hundreds of people gathered on Broad Street in front of City Hall in Philadelphia to protest a Trump administration.
“I expect President-Elect Donald Trump to do the best he can despite not being a popular choice,” said Rhodes. “Let’s hope for a prosperous four years.”
