“I’m not afraid of you, I’m not afraid of white supremacy, I’m not buying a gun, I will still continue my fight for justice”

The bitterly contested November 2016 election is over. President-elect Donald Trump and President Obama tomorrow will be meeting at the White House.

Today, the Millennial Influx staff all asked millennials and others the same question:

If you could ask a direct question to Donald Trump about his election, what would you say?

Here’s what we heard from millennials and a few others:

Woman student, Wheaton College (Illinois)

Who did you vote for, and why?

“I voted for Hillary Clinton for a host of reasons but chief among them is that I felt like she had more of an awareness, respect and understanding for immigrant populations. That is an issue very close to my heart and something I felt I could trust her with the lives of people I grew up with that are in my community.”

“I would say [to Trump] I hope and pray that you just have an understanding and seek to know immigrant populations and non-citizens so that they may still feel welcome here. And that there can be an acceptance here when it comes to people who are not natural-born citizens.”

Woman student, Wheaton College

Who did you vote for, and why?

“I voted for Trump. I don’t think that his character is 100 percent, but I don’t think that that should be the biggest consideration when it comes to policies in a political environment. Partial abortion and the practice of abortion in general is abhorrent and I can not condone it so I will never vote for it.

“It is essential that we get the Supreme Court justices to be more conservative in order that they [the Democratic party] do not have a majority for multiple years. [Clinton] is also a liar. So those are just a few reasons but I could go on and on.”

“[To Trump] I would say surround yourself with good, wise people and get to know Jesus, because you’ll need it.”

Wheaton College student:

Voted for Hillary Clinton

To Donald Trump: “Maybe something along the lines of like, it doesn’t matter that you please people. You should hold yourself to a different standard.”

TWITTER POLL:

Alexandra Riviera (sophomore at Wheaton from Florida)

“I didn’t vote.”

“I don’t want to talk to him…yeah, I don’t want to tell him anything.”

Cindy Hu (sophomore at Wheaton from China/Tanzania)

“I don’t have the right to vote.”

To Donald Trump: “Don’t make America great again. Of course, the U.S. is still a leading power but I feel that if it just considers itself … it’s being really selfish and trying to leave out countries and people groups who are minorities and suffering from a lot of things.”

Lilly Clark (freshman, at Mary Hardin Baylor in Texas)

Who did you vote for?

“I voted for Donald Trump because, after reading Clinton’s policies specifically on education, immigration and treatment of veterans as opposed to Trump’s, I couldn’t vote Hillary. As an American woman, I didn’t see Hillary fit to run our country. Not that [T]rump is, but as a lot have said, he’s the lesser of two evils in my eyes.”

“Mr. Trump,I congratulate you and thank you in advance for the next four years. My prayer is that you receive the guidance you need to effectively and responsibly and I pray that you can continue to honestly run our country and make us into a land our forefathers and more importantly, our Heavenly Father would be happy about. Thank you and God bless you.”

Luis Cadena, Colorado resident:

Who did you vote for? “Hillary Clinton, and although I wasn’t terribly excited about it, I believed that she was qualified for the job, and could not stomach the idea of a Trump presidency. I would vote third party if a) there were viable candidates and b) if the system wasn’t rigged against them”

To Donald Trump: “I’m not afraid of you, I’m not afraid of white supremacy, I’m not buying a gun, I will still continue my fight for justice”

Anonymous student, Wheaton College, from Texas

Didn’t vote

“I would tell him to be the president that America deserves and that he should be humble and listen to his advisers who are actually qualified for politics.”

A woman from Massachusetts

Who did you vote for?

“I voted for Donald Trump”

To Trump: “I would say, um, I hope that you keep to your promises about who you would appoint to the court, and I hope that you are willing to work with all sides of the table, hear what other people have to say not just the people who voted for you, but listen to the concerns of the other side as well, and to be as patient and thoughtful as possible with that.”

Edwin Chung, college senior:

Who did you vote for?

“Clinton because she’s less stupid than Trump.”

Message to Trump:

“This is the same feeling you get when you have terminal cancer. Trump is HIV, …, and cerebral palsy all in one, dude. With Clinton, you just get cancer. You could live from cancer, you could die. It’s shady. With Trump, you’re dying, dude. It’s over – like this guy’s pretty stupid. Well, we look like a joke to the rest of the world now. We went from “oh, well, America is like a bunch of rich idiots to we’re borderline retarded…”

Allison Cho, college senior:

Who did you vote for?

“I voted for Hillary Clinton. I voted for her because I really did not approve of Trump. Even though Hillary has done things in the past to lose the country’s trust while she was in other political roles. I think that her commitment to the country is undeniable and just the amount that she wants to serve for our country, and yeah that commitment and dedication is something that I was hoping would bring about hope. I mean, it wasn’t for our country like change for our country while none of these two candidates were very ideal. And I was also just really scared that Trump would win president so I really wanted to make sure that my vote would be casted against that to try to prevent that from happening.”

To Trump: “I would say that it’s going to be- like I don’t know what to expect from you. It’s going to be a rough four years because there already a lot of people hating on you. And there is a lot of division. And I know that you say that you want unity within the country, but you haven’t done anything to prove that. And you have a lot to make up for. And you have a lot to prove of yourself. If you can prove yourself and actually believe in the United States of America and what our country stands for, um, I want to believe that you can do a good job, or even just a decent job, but you have a lot to prove. Please just don’t make a fool out of our country.”

Nathan Harkins, freshman studying Hotel Management at Cornell University

“I voted for Secretary Clinton because she is the most qualified candidate ever to aspire to this office, because she would have been a President for us all and because she shares my beliefs on several issues including foreign policy and taxes. Secretary Clinton has given the better part of her life to this country fighting for issues that she knew wouldn’t make headlines like the SCHIP or her advocating for foster children and issues she knew wouldn’t make her friends, like healthcare. I voted for her because she takes a hard line against Russia and promises to uphold our promises throughout the world. I voted for her because she recognizes the importance of working together and compromising. Finally, of course I voted for her because I believe she has the ability and judgement to govern – something I doubt about her opponent.”

To Trump: “Listen to your advisers and the generals. Listen to Congress and Paul Ryan. Listen to America. If you humble yourself and listen you will have the policy and ability to effect positive change for this country and truly make America great again.”

Benjamin Seward, junior studying Youth Ministry at Cornerstone University

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t vote this year even though I’m a citizen and everything. The way my fall break happened and some other issues I wasn’t able to register in time. I was in support of third party, I was not going to vote for either camp. I think the bipartisan system is broken because it drives both wings to go further and further in the extreme to secure support, and I don’t think that issues today are as black and white as politics and the media make it sound. I think we need more parties and more ways to break the system.”

To Trump: “The race is not over, it’s just the beginning. All the promises you made and all the arguments you used to get voters need to be followed through. You need to show commitment, to your promises and to not just your voters but everyone now. I know many are concerned about the minorities in our country, and the fear that their marginalization and alienation will take place, and you need to defend them and show your anti-supporters that they are wrong. The ball is in your court. You can be an example of redemption and prove your doubters wrong by turning a new leaf, or you can become the monster of all America’s fears and cement yesterday as the historical victory of a monster.”

Alyssa Poer, Junior at Wheaton College

“I voted for Trump for many reasons, but the main one was probably the Supreme Court decision and how he would have to appoint the new justices during his term. And one thing that I would say to President Trump, would be.. just to make sure that you surround yourself with people who know what they’re doing and will be able to help you during your term.”

Lincoln Carper, Junior at Wheaton College

“The reason why I voted for Donald Trump was the Supreme Court Decision–that was the major deciding factor for me. If I could tell him one thing right now it would be … [in Donald Trump voice] win bigly … do it … bigly.”

Luis Gonzalez, Texas resident, Dedicated to the Republican Party

“I voted for Trump because he represents the closest thing to conservatism, a political philosophy that believes in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense.

I would say to Trump – you’ve been given an opportunity to make a difference so don’t blow it. Tough and difficult decisions need to be made so surround yourself with wise counsel. I would ask him to live up to Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of us; but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”

Madeline Allen

“Michelle Obama/Bernie Sanders ticket 2020”

Matt LeGrande

To Trump: “How does it feel to know that no one cool will ever want you at their birthday party?”

Zach Erwin

“Other than that I hope he gets impeached, I’d say, ‘Take a deep breath and consider those who differ from you.’”

Zach Peterson

To Trump: “I never thought someone with less political experience than the average clerk in D.C. could be elected president so here’s to hoping you keep proving me wrong.”

Wheaton College female student

Voted for Hillary Clinton

“Congratulations, and I hope…I hope the next four years are a learning experience that makes you a better person.”

Wheaton College sophomore male:

“Did not vote: reason is he did not see a candidate that would have made a statement in this election; both were bad choices

“Don’t profess Christ to get a vote, profess Him because He is your treasure and strive to see Him as your treasure.”

Wheaton College freshman female

To Trump: “Be careful to represent the entire population instead of just the one percent.”

DeeDee Gonzalez, Texan Republican Voter

“Trump-stay humble and work harder at gaining support and trust of more than half of the voting population that did not vote for you. Also-being president isn’t about you and your ego, It’s about serving the Americans and ALL Americans. No more tweeting. Keep your promises/especially to the pro-life voters who are expecting you to appoint pro life justices. Do not take any criticism personally President Trump. It comes with the job. Please don’t react to negative comments as you’ve done in the past. Surround yourself with wise and patient people. Look for the best in developing your cabinet-even if that means finding peeps outside your party.”

Elise Sampson

  1. I did not vote due to complications with registration, but if I did I would have written in third party
  2. Please measure your words and actions in a way that cares for all Americans, especially those who are minorities within this country.  You speak of greatness, but one person’s great can be, and often is another’s burden.  As president, you have the capacity to lift the burden or make it unbearable.  What greatness will you choose? My hope is that you will choose “to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free and break every yoke” Isaiah 58:6

Millennial Influx contributors:

Sarah Holcomb, McKenzie Gallagher, Sophie Clarke, Victoria Greenwald, Danielle Ely, Aaron Hanes, Audrey Gross, Bianca Wooden, Esther Kao, Jonathan Gonzales, Gabrielle DeMerritt, and Isaac Green.

Producers: Allison Steinke, Timothy C. Morgan

 

Image credit: screen shot, CSPAN