Trump’s 2024 victory sparks ‘a lot of emotion’ among Louisville residents

Early morning during the 2024 general election Donald Trump is running for president.

Trump, who will become the 47th president of the United States, defeated incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris by at least 277 Electoral College votes as of mid-Wednesday.

In Louisville, where 57.4% of voters supported Harris, the victory evoked feelings ranging from numbness and devastation to excitement and hope.

Annabelle Chernow, who voted for the first time on her 18th birthday on November 1, said she felt a sense of “despondency”.

The daughter of an immigrant father, she remembers the joy she felt in 2010 when her father became a citizen, as she waved an American flag in a green dress. She worries about the future of people like him.

“The only difference between my father, a legal immigrant, and the thousands of illegal immigrants in this country is the paperwork,” she said.

Others share concerns about what the presidency could mean for the rights of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Sarah Saylor, CEO and founder of the company Nanny agency Hiveplanned to start a family with his wife.

“My wife and I were hopeful, but America has made it clear that misogyny and hatred are still rampant in this country,” Saylor said.

Jim Higdon, a leader in the hemp and cannabis industry, said he was surprised by the result, but he looks forward to the industry’s support along with the Trump administration.

“President-elect Trump has indicated that he supports many of these initiatives, so we look forward to working with his team to implement them,” Higdon said of the proposed hemp and cannabis legislation.

After historic political comeback Trump, a man who won a 45th presidential term, lost his first bid for re-election, was found guilty of felony charges in a hush-money trial and faced two attempted murders, is how people around him feel. Louisville.

“Full of emotions”

Chernov, a student at Atherton High School, said, “Today is a difficult day with a lot of emotions.”

But while the teenager may be upset, he is also determined and believes there is a way forward. She said citizens like her still have ample opportunities to participate in government, including protesting, going to Congress and voting in future local elections.

As a public school student, one of the biggest joys of Tuesday’s election for her was Kentucky. vote against amendment 2.

Looking ahead, she is concerned about abortion rights, gun rights, immigration rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

“The issues that concern me most are the ones that concern many Americans right now,” she said.

“Freedom has won”

“I feel very good today because freedom has won,” Greg Alvey said after Trump’s victory.

A Louisville native who works as a professional truck driver, Alvey said Democrats were spying on Trump to create false accusations against him and they didn’t think about American citizens.

“They would rather continue to flood our borders with illegals and drugs,” he said.

Alvey said he was glad to see Trump working to lower energy prices to help lower the prices of all goods; lower taxes on overtime and tips to keep money in citizens’ pockets; and close the southern border.

“Wound in My Heart”

Kathy Delahunty, executive director of the Portland Museum, said it was “impossible to put into words” how she felt about Trump’s re-election.

Despite the feeling of loss, which she called “a hole in my heart,” Delahanty remains hopeful.

“This is a time when our work is necessary, important and urgent,” Delahanty said. “Overcoming these divisions is our only path to healing our polarized nation.”

Delahanty said her biggest concerns are Trump’s plans for “reproductive rights, government reform (such as dismantling departments like the Department of Education) and a reassessment of the country’s foreign policy.”

“Happy for our country”

Jonaiah Taylor, a senior business major at a psychiatric hospital who has lived in Louisville for 20 years, expressed enthusiasm for Trump’s victory.

“As a Christian, I feel like this is the best thing America needs for grace and repentance,” she said. “I am thrilled that our country will recover spiritually, financially, and also recover from the economic downturn we have experienced as a nation and family.”

“Have Faith”

For Stuart Ungar, executive director of the Louisville Sustainability Council, the presidential election results have left him worried about the things he cares about, which are “the environment, equality, caring for others,” he told the Courier Journal.

“It can feel like we’re entering a dark age, and in some ways we are,” Ungar said. “But we must believe that humanity and justice will prevail.”

Going forward, Ungar fears that gains on the environment and health could be rolled back and the policy focus could shift to “making the rich richer.”

“We have to think about future generations and the world and community we leave for them,” Ungar said. “We need empathy and compassion, and this must come from within ourselves and our local communities in a meaningful way.”

‘Numb’

Local business owner Jodi Dahmer worries about the future of minorities across the country, especially “blacks, gays and transgender people,” noting that these people could face “undue hardships,” they said.

“I’m completely numb right now,” Dahmer said.

“Surprise”

For much of this year, the cannabis industry has been in the spotlight as Congress grapples with the issue. delayed farm billwhich strictly regulates the industry.

Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread Hemp, said he looks forward to arguing with the Trump administration on legislation “needed to make the promise of hemp a reality.”

“While last night’s results were a surprise, we look forward to working with the new administration to improve the hemp industry for the benefit of farmers and small businesses across Kentucky,” Higdon said.

“Completely devastated”

Atherton senior Stella Keaton said she felt a sense of false hope that Harris would win, noting that many people in her life share her view.

“I feel absolutely devastated by the results of the election,” Keaton said. “I wasn’t completely blindsided because I knew Kentucky was going to be a red state, but after seeing how many people changed their minds after the last election, I was shocked by the outcome.”

“Looking for the positive”

In 2016, Rachel Schwartz, a banking investigator, recalled taking the day off after Trump’s first presidential victory and crying in bed.

As a result, Schwartz, still hurt by Trump’s re-election, is “looking for the positives in the election” rather than crying. She pointed to what she sees as successes on Election Day, such as the defeat of the Second Amendment.

“I’m going to continue to focus on making my community a better place,” Schwartz said.

“I’m disappointed”

Local real estate agent Sarah Nicholson said Trump was not her choice for president. She believed Harris was the more qualified candidate and believes many voters were preoccupied with issues such as gas prices, immigration and inflation, but did not consider the bigger picture when voting.

“Of course, I’m disappointed not so much that he won, but that most people don’t have solid facts about why they voted for him,” she said in a message to the Courier Journal.

Nicholson said she and President-elect Trump have two concerns: his policies on deportations and human rights. She said she is concerned about the consequences marginalized communities may face.

“I think a lot of people just don’t realize how much these communities have been affected because they’re not part of them,” Nicholson said.

“Deeply afraid”

Debra Harlan, a self-described retired “good trouble maker,” said she felt “lost, defeated and deeply afraid.”

As a first-generation American and the granddaughter of survivors of Nazi Germany, Harlan said she can hear her grandmother telling her, “Find your hiding place.”

“This country has no idea what it has done,” Harlan said in a Facebook message to the Courier Journal.

Contact reporter Olivia Evans at [email protected].