Photo courtesy of CNN

Trump triumphs

0 0
Read Time3 Minute, 10 Second

Republican Donald John Trump stunned the world as he pulled an upset win against his heavily favored rival, Democratic Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, in the presidential election.

He won 279 electoral votes, satisfying the 270 vote requirement to clinch the presidency. In his victory speech, Trump thanked all his supporters and emphasized the importance of unity for the nation.

“To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said. “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans.”

Trump’s victory marks the historic end of Clinton’s second bid for the presidency. In her concession speech, Clinton stated that her loss was painful and “will be for a long time,” but also wanted to remind her supporters of the importance of a “peaceful transfer of power.”

“Donald Trump is going to be our president,” Clinton said. “We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”

Trump’s political campaign began in June 2015 when he announced his bid for the White House and emerged as the front-runner for the Republican Party’s nomination. He won the official Republican presidential nomination against 11 other Republican party presidential candidates in the primary election. His platform focused on tax cuts, stricter enforcement of immigration laws, and the renegotiation of trade deals.

The election divided the nation as it had to choose between Trump and Clinton, two candidates whom both had historically low popularity ratings. On Election Day, Trump pulled out crucial victories in the battleground states of Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics teacher Raymond Gin stated that “the feeling of part of the population being ignored” played a role in the election results.

“White America felt that they were not being heard or serviced anymore,” Gin said. “Certain gender gaps, educational gaps, and the gaps between rural and urban [voters] had a hand in his victory.”

Despite these results, Gin stated that Trump’s victory will probably not bring many effects to California, the San Gabriel Valley, and San Gabriel High School, and that the “four years will go by very quickly.”

Senior Bhone Thiha stated that he was surprised by the results, but was “glad [the election] went the way it did.”

“We have an outsider who will fight for American lives,” Thiha said. “[Trump] is an actual man who knows what he’s doing and who’s gonna fight for you.”

Junior Christina Yuan was “very disappointed about the results” and does not approve of Trump’s political views.

“It means that a lot of people are angry,” Yuan said. “I just feel like there is going to be a lot of turmoil.”

English teacher Valerie Larson felt “shocked and mortified” by the turnout.

“I think our country will go backwards in terms of civil rights,” Larson said. “I think [life] will be harder for college students, women, and people of color in this country.”

Trump’s unlikely victory shocked not only the American people and San Gabriel students, but also investors around the world, causing global stock markets to plunge temporarily.

In addition to its victory in the executive branch, the Republican party secured a majority in both the US Senate and House of Representatives. With his lack of diplomatic, political, or military executive experience, it is unknown how Trump will act as president, setting America on an uncertain path.

“Everything has to be aligned for things to happen,” Gin said. “Whether they will happen or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Trump will be sworn into office on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2017.

Average Rating

5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *