The 2024 electoral map as of 2 p.m. Nov. 6, 2024. Data compiled from the Associated Press.
BY DAVID SCIBILIA, MANAGING EDITOR
On the morning of Nov. 6, Matthew Nicolazzo woke up with a smile on his face. The Associated Press had called the 2024 presidential race in favor of Donald J. Trump. Invigorated with excitement, the junior political science major prepared for the day of classes ahead of him.
That same morning, Stephanie Karl woke up with tears in her eyes. Where Nicolazzo saw a bright future, Karl, a senior political science major, saw the death of American democracy. Yet she pulled herself together and walked into her 11:30 a.m. class.
She sat three rows in front of Nicolazzo.
“I feel scared and sick,” said Karl. “This is going to set our country back years. Now that Roe v. Wade is gone, women are dying from a lack of abortion access. Trump will not fix this and will further restrict care — especially if Republicans control the House and the Senate.”
But Nicolazzo said he’s ready for Trump to take action.
“I’m ready for Trump to get his immigration policies, tax policies and his theory to lead with a big stick back in the Oval Office,” said Nicolazzo. “I’m going to be graduating soon and Trump will create a better economy through his inflation control policies and hopefully will lower the cost of homes.”
Other students said they were afraid of the policies Trump may implement.
“I feel more scared than normal as a Black woman in America,” said Hailey Crawford, a freshman political science major. “I’m more scared because of the racist things that Trump says. And he’s trying to add more protection for the police and my group of Black Americans are constantly affected by police brutality.”
While some expressed disappointment, many students said they expected Trump to secure the win.
“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised,” said Crawford. “I had no hope that America would elect a woman — let alone a Black and Indian woman — to office.”
Others expressed anger at how Americans chose to vote.
“Trump is a threat to our democracy,” said Adrianna LaMarti, a senior political science major. “Uneducated people have too large of a voice in elections.”
While some saw democracy’s downfall, others saw opportunity.
“I’m happy Trump is giving decisions back to the states,” said Nicolazzo. “I’m a big 10th Amendment guy and Trump is too.”
Some students said the implications of Trump giving decisions back to the states are scary.
“I feel devastated,” said Helena Morgano, a freshman political science major. “My mom works with immigrants — she teaches them — I feel scared for them and their families. I’m afraid Trump’s immigration policies will hurt them.”
Students said Trump’s election told them how Americans felt.
“Trump’s election tells me that people would rather have a racist, rapist, convicted felon in office than a Black woman in office,” said LaMarti.
Other students saw it differently.
“Trump’s election says a lot about the attitude of the country,” said Nicolazzo. “Trump swept the swing states and won the popular vote; it shows American’s disapproval of the strong leftist policies we’ve seen passed during Biden’s presidency.”
As students look toward their futures, some see a setting sun.
“As a woman, I feel bad about my future,” said Keli Smith, a senior criminology and psychology double major. “I don’t agree with Trump or his views on reproductive rights.”
Other students see a rising sun.
“I feel hopeful,” said Abigail Docos, a junior political science major. “I haven’t felt safe from Biden’s policies and my beliefs align more with Trump’s. I think Americans are fed up with how the past four years have gone and are ready for change.”
Scibild22@bonaventure.edu
