What do Bristol Uni students think about the US election results?

‘A harrowing day for everyone around the world’

Donald Trump will become the new president of the US for the second time after an exciting match with competitor Kamala Haris. These elections brought with them many controversial issues, including women’s reproductive rights, the protection of minorities, and the war in Gaza. We asked what Bristol Uni students thought of the election results.

As expected, the reactions were mainly negative.

Students, including many international students from the US, told us it is “a poignant day for everyone around the world.”

Women’s rights

One of Trump’s top ongoing issues is banning abortion. While his position on a nationwide abortion ban is unclear, one of his is unclear Project 2025 The policy is to use the 1873 Comstock Act to ban the shipment of abortion pills. Since two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. are performed via mailed abortion pills, this could harm reproductive rights, even for those in blue states.

Since the overturn of Row v Wade, access to abortion has been almost completely banned 17 states throughout the country. The overthrow of abortion as a constitutional right makes it easy for Trump to restrict access to abortions without support from the Senate or House of Representatives.

Annabelle, an American student at Vet Med in Bristol, told us: “As a woman, I fear losing some of my rights in America and worry about how much control Trump will have now that the Senate is now also majority Republican. Overall, I’m worried about the next four years and not sure if I’ll go back to the US after graduation because of the political situation.

Moreover, Trump has been accused of a slew of sexual misconduct and rape, in addition to misogyny comments like calling Nancy Pelosi a “sick crazy b…”

One student told us the results are “incredibly depressing for women and girls across America.”

Minorities

Trump promised to bring back his controversial Muslim travel ban and encourage mass deportations across the country. With these raids and deportations, Trump will pursue a dystopian reality comparable to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 when his administration rounded up and deported people of Mexican descent, including U.S. citizens.

This “despicable campaign of destruction” (third-year politics student) will also target LGBTQ+ people with a focus on attacking the rights of trans youth by banning schools from supporting gender transition. Trump also wants to repeal national protections against discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and promote an educational program of strictly heterosexual marriage, similar to Thatcher’s Section 28.

An anonymous student told us it is “a sad day for minorities.”

Genocide in Gaza

Another key issue that Bristol students highlighted was the “Democrat’s support for genocide.” An American international student studying in Bristol told us, “Her (Kamala’s) very pro-Israel stance put a lot of people off voting for her.” He added: “Kamala barely had time to prepare her campaign, announce her plans and shift her association with Biden and form an independent coalition.”

Harris, like current President Joe Biden, has repeatedly defended Israel’s right to defend itself when questioned about the suffering in Gaza. Some analysts believe that this issue has lost her the swing state. Michigan which has one of the highest Arab and Muslim populations in the country.

George, a committee member of the Bristol Socialist Student Union, said: “The Biden-Harris administration has disgusted much of the nation by continuing to arm and give carte blanche to Israel – a state that is conducting a live-streamed genocide of Palestinian people perform. ”

Economy

Trump’s new administration will attempt to overturn many of Biden’s economic policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act and cutting taxes. These rollbacks could increase further economic inequality and harm the American economy.

A member of Bristol’s Socialist Students’ Union said: “The old cliché is true: the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle is squeezed.” which explained how some voters felt Trump could be an alternative to this, as “the Democrats, by clinging to their corporate donors rather than any popular demands, have handed the United States over to the far right. ” George also added: “Trump is terrifying.”

This election has brought fear and sadness to students in Bristol as a convicted criminal and alleged rapist is set to become president of one of the world’s most powerful countries for a second time.

Louise, who studied childhood studies, told us: “My family is super liberal and we knew Biden would never have won, but Kamala gave us all hope. My community back home was excited about her and her campaign had so much energy and positivity. I can’t believe people chose Trump over her.”