Image Courtesy of BBC (2024)
On the 6th of November, 2024, convicted felon, reality TV star, and twice impeached Donald Trump was elected as the 47th president of the United States of America. His political resurrection not only jarred America, but also sent shockwaves across the Atlantic, all the way to IE University. This is what students have to say about it.
[DISCLAIMER: the opinions reported in this article are based on interviews with first and second year students across the Segovia campus of IE University]
Based on the conducted interviews, the majority of students are pessimistic about the outcomes of the recent US elections. Yet, most of the interviewees expected the victory of Donald Trump. However, some expressed astonishment at the resulting popular vote and majority of Republican seats in Congress.
Expectations of the New Administration
Some interviewees noted that the slamming victory of the Republican party now ensures Trump’s ability to fulfill his campaign promises. With a majority in the senate, house of representatives, and the Supreme Court, there are virtually no obstacles for Trump to enact his policies. However, students are divided on whether or not this entails positive or negative effects for the United States and for the international community.
“I would consider [November 6] one of the worst days of my life”, said a first year American BBA student. She raises issues regarding education and reproductive healthcare, claiming that it is now detrimental to her future if she were to return to the United States after university. Maya Menconi, first year American BBABHUM student, expressed similar sentiments regarding education, stating that the “US needs more education, and Trump uses undereducated communities to his advantage.” She noted that these systems will not improve as long as they benefit the authorities in power.
Another student noted that Trump will bring a “US centered approach to US problems”. He noted that policies will be directed towards what he believes would be more beneficial for the population– the population being solely the white middle class.
Meanwhile, according to a first year student from Mexico, the new administration can also prove to be beneficial for certain communities. She predicts that his regime will decrease the flow of narcotics in Mexico, and will “hopefully make things change for Mexicans”. She notes that his “explosive” personality will bring about extensive measures, such as strong tariffs on drug trade, which will become a real threat to crime in Mexico.
“He is explosive. I don’t know if he will kill someone, or something, but I think that’s
what we need…Mexico needs that stability in someone to be like ‘I’m so done with
this. Stop with your bullshit.’”
- Anonymous first year student from Mexico
However, she also emphasizes that Trump’s method of aiming to cut off suppliers is insufficient to tackle the entire drug problem, especially within the United States. While it is beneficial for Mexico, it fails to solve the root of the issue. Rather, she suggests, there should be a focus on education in order to cut off the demand for drugs in the first place.
Alternatively, other students expressed concern regarding Trump’s isolationist policies. A second year Filipino student described Trump as a “transactional” person, claiming that he will want something back from giving aid to other countries. She references the US-Philippine mutual defense treaty and NATO to illustrate how reliant the international community is on the United States in terms of military and trade. In the wake of the South China Sea dispute and Russia-Ukraine war, an isolationist United States will prove to be a heavy loss for many countries.
However, another popular view was that such anti-globalist policies will bring an end to these very conflicts, especially the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Interviewees speculated that the flow of aid to countries in need will halt, leading to a larger advantage for opposite sides and the eventual end of these disputes.
Meanwhile, other students also commented on the possible widespread negative effects on the environment as Trump has denied climate change and scientific advice in the past.
What the Elections Mean For IE
Much like their expectations of the new administration, students are split on what the election outcomes mean for IE.
“I think people are a bit overreacting”, said one student. Another expressed a more optimistic view, claiming that they have seen debates, but no stark divides. However, many claim that they have witnessed polarization within the IE student body.
“As there is a divide in the US, there is also a divide in IE”, said a second year Filipino student. She notes that there are winners and losers in this election, both within the US and within IE. She defines winners as the privileged elite who won’t feel the impacts of Trump’s policies, while the losers as those that will be impacted by them greatly. Another student supported this view, claiming that the degree the elections will impact you depends on one’s socio-economic status– the higher, the more beneficial, and the lower the more negative.
Notably, first year BCSAI student Miguel Chapero Berzi commented on the difference on how the elections will impact men and women. He believes that men will feel more empowered under a republican-led administration, as the democratic party is focused more on policies to uphold women’s rights. However, he notes that this will only affect American students in IE, and not international students as a whole.
On a more positive outlook, one student defended that such a divisive outcome will lead to productive discussion within the student body. He explained that through conversation and debate, students will be “exposed to both sides’ ideas, and that’s how you grow knowledge.”
The American majority called for a republican administration led by Donald Trump. Now that their wish was granted, only time can tell if the expectations and predictions of IE students will ring true, both for within the IE student body and for the rest of the world.
