Donald J. Trump won both the popular and electoral college votes in the 2024 presidential election to become the 47th President of the United States. Trump gave his victory speech in the early morning of Nov. 6, eager to start his term as president. Kamala Harris, the current vice president, stepped into the presidential race after President Joe Biden bowed out in late July. After losing the election, Harris gave a concession speech from Howard University the next day.
Some Lasell students held watch parties the night of the election, staying up till the early morning hours. Having been one of the many students to have done so, freshman biology major Liv Archer stated, “I felt like my heart was racing so fast all night because I knew that one state could change the outlook of my next four years drastically as a queer woman.”
Senior journalism major Malayna Jean Bizier said, “I was happy about the election results, but not in a boastful way. I knew people were hurting much like I would’ve been hurting had the results not been what I’d hoped for.”
Some students on campus have expressed concern for the next four years because of the election results.
“I am devastated by the outcome of the election. As a young woman, I think many of the policies of the Trump administration make me feel unsafe and uncertain,” Sophomore graphic design major Chloe Galipeau said. “Living in Massachusetts is a safety cushion, but I feel deeply for women and minority groups in other states that will be harmed while new legislation takes effect.”
Bizier also explained feelings of concern about the results.
“I’m worried that our culture will become more polarized in the next four years. The isolation of social media and the hatred being spread concerns me greatly,” Bizier said. “Regardless of ideological differences, most people don’t have malicious intent. Yet, people have lost sight of others’ humanity, and they’ve lost their faith.”
With the election now over, students are taking the time to process and talk. Many on campus events have been hosted in the wake of the election such as, “Coming Together & Moving Forward: A Post-Election Community Conversation,” which was held on Nov. 12 and provided a space to share intellectual and emotional reactions to the election outcomes.“Finding Connection Amidst Differing Political Viewpoints,” held on Nov. 7, focused on the election’s aftermath. “The Role of AI in the 2024 Elections” is part of the 2024 U.S. Election Webinar series sponsored by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, and was held on Nov. 20 from 2-3 p.m. via Zoom with three guest speakers.
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