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Donald Trump won. Here’s how more than 650 readers reacted.
Trump’s win in the presidential election left Boston.com readers in a nearly 50-50 split between positive and negative feelings. Here’s why.
Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election on Tuesday to become the 47th president of the United States. In doing so, his win has left Boston.com readers feeling torn about what his forthcoming presidency means for themselves and the nation.
At around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Associated Press called Wisconsin for Trump. Trump’s win in Wisconsin put him over the 270 threshold needed to secure the presidency, giving him a projected 291 electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 224.
The former president and now president-elect became the first U.S. president with a felony conviction. His win exposed an increasingly divided America, a nation moving to the right as disenchantment under Democratic leadership grows. Even though here in Massachusetts, Democrats maintained their hold on the state’s congressional delegation, Republicans won a majority in the Senate last night (who will take control of the House is still to be determined).
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When we asked Boston.com readers how they felt about Trump’s win, we heard from more than 650 readers who were almost evenly divided; 52% said they had negative feelings about his victory, while 44% said they felt positively about it. Three percent said they felt neutral.
How do you feel about Donald Trump's victory?
I have positive feelings
44%
I have negative feelings
52%
I feel neutral
3%
Readers who said they felt negatively about Trump’s win expressed worries that Trump’s plans for his presidency (which include scaling back reproductive rights, mass deportations of immigrants, and expanding presidential powers, among others) could send the country backwards.
“I feel that every liberal cause I have ever believed in — women’s rights, environmental protection, civil rights, the rule of law, honesty in government — has been set back decades, if not obliterated entirely,” said reader Dianne T. from Mattapoisett.
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On the flip side, readers who said they feel positively about his win called Trump’s return to power a new beginning for the country to get back on track.
“This is an amazing day. Good has triumphed over evil. We will be back on track as a serious nation after being a complete joke the past few years,” reader Sparky from Needham said.
Below, Boston.com readers share their feelings about Trump’s 2024 presidential election win.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
How do you feel about Donald Trump’s victory?
I have negative feelings
“I am very worried for the US. How anyone can overlook Jan. 6, the indictments, his remarks on women, his views on admiring leaders like Putin? God help us.” – Neal, Pembroke
“2016 all over again, but with none of the guardrails we used to rely on (discerning Senate/House, Supreme Court, etc).” – Karen, Arlington
“It is an insult to women across the nation and I think we will become the laughing stock of the world once again.” – Allison L., Weymouth
“What happened to kindness and decorum? What examples are we setting for our children? As a survivor of sexual assault, I cannot believe we have elected two men who are misogynists. Many people voted against social security, education, and healthcare. When Republicans chip away at these essential programs, they will realize what they have done when it is too late. I worry for our democracy.” – Regina M., Brewster
“New tariffs on imported goods will be transferred to the consumers and increase inflation. Undocumented immigrants are part of the US economy, deportations for those people will mean shortages in the labor force.” – Nazario E., Lawrence
“[T]his ‘red wave’ should be a wake up call to Democrats. It’s clear that they are losing support everywhere, including right here in Massachusetts. Even as a Brookline Democrat I dabbled with voting for Deaton (I did not in the end).” – Mike, Brookline
“The country has voted and chosen a path that favors authoritarian rule, control of the Senate and House will allow the President to steamroll through the far right agenda. The next four years will reveal who Americans really are and what our role will be in the world.” – Bill D., Tiverton, Rhode Island
“It’s sad to see how far the country has fallen over my 70 plus years. It’s no longer a place I recognize. Despite all the progress made in the areas of equal rights and quality of life in many areas, it feels like we are at the beginning of the end of this great experiment in democracy. We’ve turned the reins over to a cult that values show over substance and lies over facts.” – Sim Z., Worcester County
I have positive feelings
“I think it’s great that he won. Now we all have to work together no matter what party to get this great country back on its feet. Let’s all work together and forget who is on what side. As I said before the elections, I will respect our President, regardless of which party won. We can all do this together.” – Linda L., South Boston
“It was not a great choice, but I think Trump gives us a better chance for prosperity, a secure border and peace through strength. The last four years have been difficult, and Harris’ inability or unwillingness to say what she would do differently or acknowledge any shortcomings hurt her a lot. I hope this election will encourage the Democrats to move back toward the middle.” – Jeff, Newton
“I am elated! Donald Trump loves his country – all Kamala Harris cared about was beating Trump. She had no plans to repair the economy and she was the reason why we have so many illegal immigrants in this country, sleeping in hotels. Many of us cannot afford to buy food and other necessary items. I hoped and prayed he would win. During his first term, there were no militant groups starting a war in Israel, Russia didn’t start a war against, and the economy was great.” – Beth R., Boston
“Great day for democracy and a great day for every American. No more inaction and no more excuses from Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.” – James O., Beverly
“I voted red down the line to preserve democracy and our borders and to bring back geo-political stability in the world with a strong leader like Donald Trump!” – Bob, Dorchester
“This is great news. To the Democrats: Your world did not end the last time Trump was in office and it will not end this time either.” – Carl, Cape Cod
“I like the democratic process and feel like it was in full swing this election. Large turnout is always great! I’m feeling hopeful and I am glad President Trump has been re-elected! Let’s get to work.” – Diane, Winthrop
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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