The Perennial has chosen to keep every source anonymous, and their pseudonyms, Liam, Jackson, Mira, Noah, and Joe, are unrelated to their identities.
Strong emotions and controversy spark among Pinewood students following President-elect Donald Trump’s sweeping victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Last Tuesday night, Trump secured the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the election, triumphing over Vice President Kamala Harris by 69 votes and winning all seven battleground states. Students’ reactions range from optimistic to upset as they process the results of the election.
“I’m more disappointed than surprised that America elected Trump for president,” Liam said. “He is the obvious worse choice. Who would you pick, a two-time impeached felon who hid classified documents inside of his shower or the attorney general of California?”
Previously, Trump faced two impeachments during his presidency and is currently facing multiple felony charges related to business fraud, election interference, and classified documents. On May 30, he was convicted of 34 felony charges.
However, according to Pinewood student Noah, Trump’s policies take precedence over his legal battles at the stands.
Noah said he supports Trump’s plan for the economy, specifically to impose a 20% blanket tariff on imports and to cut business regulations. Additionally, Noah supports Trump’s foreign policies and believes that his immigration policies will help reduce crime and improve wages for the working class.
“I also believe that the health system needs some major changes, and I like that Trump is addressing that, though we’ll have to see how it goes,” Noah said. “Overall, I believe that he will be a good President for America.”
On the other hand, these same policies have drawn concerns among students, specifically the repercussions of American-centric politics.
“I voted for Harris because of Trump’s tariff policy, which will harm our relations with Mexico and China at a critical point in all of our country’s history,” Joe said.
Trump will revive his 2016 campaign promises to tighten security on the border and make it more difficult for immigrants to gain citizenship in the United States. His plan includes mass deportations, as well as limits on refugee and immigration programs. During this year’s election, however, Vice President Kamala Harris adopted a similar outlook, reflecting a growing national sentiment for a more secure border.
“Trump has some insane ideas especially about immigration, like ending birthright citizenship, that I can only hope to get checked in the House, Senate, or Supreme Court,” Jackson said.
Trump’s stance on abortion similarly stands out as a prominent issue among students. Currently, Trump plans to leave the issue up to individual states rather than a national ban. However, he has shown conditional support for a national ban at 15 weeks.
“I am concerned about Trump’s leadership of the country,” Mira said. “His strong anti-abortion and immigration policies only harm our country, and as a woman, I am worried for the future.”
In order to understand the impact the election has on their lives, students are engaging in conversations about how to navigate the political landscape going forward.
“I do love my country and want it to be better,” Jackson said. “For that reason, I’m looking forward to voting in the 2026 midterms so I can actually make my voice heard. I want to vote for the country to be better and a place where everyone of all backgrounds can thrive.”
