Editors’ note: This story was updated on Nov. 18 to clarify a student’s opinion on the election of Donald Trump.
Students have mixed reactions following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election.
Many Democrats were shocked by the results of the presidential election after top party strategists predicted a win for Kamala Harris, according to CNN. Prominent figures in the party said Democrats will have to reevaluate their mission and message. But local Democrats are still hopeful.
“Although the election did not go as I had hoped, I don’t see it as an outright rejection of Democratic ideals,” wrote Brady Madden, ’26, the president of the College Democrats chapter on campus, in an email to the Phi.
Madden added that he was excited to be a part of the next chapter of the Democratic party. He was hopeful that America will reject Trump’s “extremism” in the coming midterm elections.
Henry Haden, ’25, the president of the College Republicans chapter on campus, celebrated the Trump win.
“Ultimately, I am confident that those who voted otherwise will come to appreciate the improved standing made possible by a second Trump administration,” Haden said.
Charlie Mlcek, ’25, said he voted for Trump because of his stance on several issues including immigration, the economy and foreign policy. Trump will stem the tide of illegal immigration, he said.
“We have seen rampant inflation under Joe Biden. People are just tired of that,” said Mlcek. “We’ve already seen the market skyrocket since Trump’s been elected.”
While Madden was being interviewed on the Rockbridge Report on election night, the College Republicans hosted a watch party on campus. Neither group was able to learn the results of the election until the next morning.
Students and faculty discussed the results of the election at a panel hosted by the provost’s office on Nov. 12. The panel, featuring Professor Kevin Finch of the department of journalism and mass communications, Professor Lucas Morel of the politics department, and Professor Maureen Edobor of the law school, was moderated by Professor Bob Strong, an emeritus professor of politics.
When students who attended the panel were asked how they thought their fellow W&L students voted, an overwhelming majority thought that men voted for Trump and women voted for Kamala Harris.
This represents a national trend of young men turning towards Trump and young women staying with the Democrats, according to NPR. Though young people are more likely to vote for Democrats, some voted on the pocketbook issues that Trump emphasized in his campaign.
Edobor discussed the potential ramifications of a future Trump presidency during the panel. She cited claims that have been echoed by news outlets of Republicans potentially calling a constitutional convention to change America’s founding document.
“Over 75 million Americans voted for the grand disruptor…Donald Trump,” Morel said. “He stood as a rejection, in my mind, of elite opinion and elite control of political and social institutions.”
However, Morel and Edobor disagreed on how disruptive the next Trump presidency will be. When Edobor brought up how Republicans had campaigned on privatizing K-12 education, for example, Morel said that it will be hard to get rid of existing bureaucracy.
Strong said during the panel that victories for progressive ballot measures could represent a lessening of partisanship in the country. Morel praised pollsters for accurately predicting the closeness of the race.
For those who are unhappy with the election results, Morel urged further participation in state and local government.
