Former President Donald Trump made a remarkable political comeback to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 presidential race.

At the time of publication, Trump had 295 electoral college votes, well over the needed 27o to become the 47th president of the United States. The twice-impeached Trump is the first convicted felon to be elected president, and only the second president to serve non-consecutive terms. 

Columbia students reacted with surprise and disappointment to the early morning news on Wednesday, Nov. 6  that Trump had clinched the race.

TRANSCRIPT

0:06

Former president, Republican Donald Trump was declared the 47th president of the United States early this morning in what some are calling a landslide victory against Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.

0:18

We’re outside the Student Center at Columbia College Chicago and we asked some of the students here how they’re feeling about this historic election.

0:27

I am feeling vastly disappointed. As a Mexican-American, I was really, really hoping for the results to come out Harris.

0:42

Waking up, I’m realizing now that my family is gonna have to deal with this,

0:49

and these results are a lot more than other people.

0:54

The results were really a surprise to me.

0:57

The turnout for the Kamala rallies were really different compared to Trump rallies.

1:02

So I assumed “Oh, she got this in the bag.” It was real surprising to see the numbers of real time just kind of swaying in the other direction.

1:09

And on the map, there was always like with the last election, there’s a big great Wall of Blue on the West Coast.

1:16

We didn’t get that this year.

1:17

So, yeah, I was a bit disappointed this morning.

1:22

But I think what’s important is just looking forward to the future and knowing that there is change and to just keep moving forward and stay positive because I think a lot of people have mixed feelings about how this election turned out.

1:36

But, like for me, I said, it’s just important to keep moving forward and just hope for the best.

1:42

Yeah, I guess I was surprised about Trump winning the election because I watched the debate, you know,I thought in terms of just intellect and coherence and logic,

2:00

Kamala trounced Trump.

2:03

I was surprised that another Trump won by such a large margin.

2:09

That was another thing.

2:12

Yeah, honestly, that, that was probably the most surprising thing.

2:15

I thought it would be like slightly closer. 

2:19

Although students might have been disappointed in the results, they are trying to remain positive.

2:24

I really hope that this doesn’t affect women’s rights.

2:26

I really hope that he is at least an OK president.

2:31

I don’t know, man.

2:33

One thing I like to say is just take care of your friends, especially your female friends just to make sure they’re in a good spot, make sure they have the resources they need.

2:41

Just because Trump won and project 2025 is probably going to come into effect.

2:49

It doesn’t mean that we have to give up hope and it doesn’t mean that we have to lose sight of the things that we’re fighting for.

2:58

They still matter, our voice still matters.

3:01

And as long as we stand united, I think that matters too.

3:07

President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

3:13

This is Ali Brenneman for Chronicle TV News.

Copy Edited by Manuel Nocera