Vol. XXV • Edition 6
November 2016
New Journalism Professor
Drug & Alcohol Awareness Week
World-Class Cormican
UL Reacts to President Trump
By Nicole Glennon
When Donald Trump formally announced his candidacy on the June 26th 2015, politicians, journalists and many American citizens, were convinced it was a joke. Last week, the billionaire businessman shocked the world, including the students and staff of UL, when he won the US Presidential Election. “When I woke up and saw on my phone that he had won I genuinely couldn’t believe it,” first year Law Plus student Shannon Freaney said. “The fact that so many people could vote for a man who incites so much hate. Up until then it had been a joke because I never thought he’d win, but it’s just not funny anymore.” Fourth year student Seamus Toomey said he was disappointed in the American people for electing Mr. Trump. “America will survive but social issues, environmental issues and foreign relations will suffer for the next four years. “I can’t imagine that this is the best American has to offer or anywhere within the realm of close,” he added. Many American students in the University were equally horrified
to wake up to the news that Mr Trump had succeeded in his campaign for the United States presidency. Hannah Nelson, an international student from Boston, said she would have been onboard with the president-elect’s take on economics but his “outrageous comments” about women, homosexuals, Mexicans, immigrants and other candidates made it “harder to see him as President.” “I am worried about what he will attempt to do with our civil rights,” Hannah said. “I am worried to see what our foreign affairs will turn into, and
I am worried about the general welfare and happiness of my fellow Americans.” Maddie Ybarra, a student from California, believes the election has finally shown “all the hate that has been brewing in America.” “This election season really showed the worst of people on both sides,” she said. “In my opinion, America elected hate and ignorance to be president. There are definitely many people in the US who are racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic - you name it. “But there are so many other people who are afraid after this election
because these hateful beings finally feel like they have validation to be truly awful people.” “This entire election season felt like a joke and now we have a joke as a president,” the Californian added. The outrage expressed by many after Tuesday’s election was widespread, but Trump has clearly got many supporters, both in the US and even in UL. Music, Media and Performance Technology student Tadhg O’Connor here in UL believes America got the candidate “that actually cares about the country and cares about the people.” “To the people that are worried – don’t be,”
he said. “If you’re not a terrorist and if you’re not in the country illegally then don’t be, if you’re not a dirty politician don’t be. But if you are, be worried. Be very worried. The day of reckoning is coming and trumps about to clean house.” First year student Ryan Hanton believes people are reacting emotionally to Trump but it is essential for people to be “pragmatic.” Mr Hanton wouldn’t label himself a Trump supporter but argues that there could be positives to his victory. “Americans can’t get jobs and services as a
result of immigrants and a sizeable amount of them are illegal. He’s talking about getting companies to stay in America. Globalization is a major problem these days. That makes economic sense for America.. He also added that he doesn’t think Trump supporters should be vilified. “Brexit and now Trump - It’s not an effort to be bigoted, it’s an effort by people to change things. And things need changing.” International Relations lecturer Scott Fitzsimmons said this election was “extraordinary.” “American’s were asked to choose between a highly experienced, if uninspiring, woman, and a man who had not only never held political office but also repeatedly demonstrated that he lacked the intelligence and moral character to lead the most powerful country on Earth.” Dr Fitzsimmons believes that the “shocking outcome” signals a need for both the Democratic and Republican parties to “reform their candidate selection process to ensure that no one as unqualified as Donald Trump ever gets close to the White House again.”