Source: Editorial
By Jasmine Gailliard, Public Policy at UNC-Chapel Hill
On Election night, millions of Americans were glued to their screens as election polls poured in state by state. Many were left stunned early the following morning when it was announced that former President Donald Trump was elected to serve in office once again, with more than 70 million ballots cast in his favor and 295 electoral college votes (and counting).
Now that America has decided who should lead the country, what implications does this historic decision bring? Let’s break down the social, economic, and environmental impacts we can expect in the years ahead under Trump’s renewed leadership.
Trump supporters may be more affected by his policies than they realize. Trump and his administration have outlined multiple significant goals for his term: imposing unprecedented tariffs on foreign goods from all countries, especially China, trillions in cuts in government spending with help from Elon Musk, reversing regulations aimed at addressing climate change, possible abortion bans, and so much more.
Since the beginning of his campaign, Trump has acclaimed his plan for what he calls “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”—tariffs. His proposed international tax includes a sweeping 10% to 20% tariff on all imports entering the U.S., with tariffs on Chinese imports potentially exceeding 60%. While this policy aims to cut foreign competition, it protects less efficient industries, slows overall economic growth, and leaves consumers paying higher prices for everyday goods. Under Trump’s trade policy, material costs are set to rise, and everyday Americans will likely feel the pinch.
Tariffs are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Trump’s legislation. His administration’s approach to climate policy could bring lasting damage to our environment. Trump has openly called climate change a hoax and has pledged to expand fossil fuel production, roll back environmental protections, and cut federal support for clean energy. He has also vowed to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act, the most prominent climate investment in U.S. history and a significant achievement of the Biden administration. Such actions could add billions of tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, accelerating the impacts of climate change. With Gen Z facing an uncertain future, we cannot afford such environmentally harmful policies if we hope to secure long, fulfilling lives for future generations.
Trump has been outspoken about his anti-abortion stance, even taking credit for the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Trump has repeatedly refused to say if he would veto a national ban if it crossed his desk as President—a scenario becoming more likely as the Republicans earned majorities in both chambers of Congress. Trump’s connections to Project 2025, a conservative initiative proposed by the Heritage Project, also raise concerns among voters. The Project 2025 initiative could pave the way for Republicans to enforce the Comstock Act, a federal law that criminalizes the transportation of materials related to abortion—including contraceptives, information about contraceptives, and any item or medication that can be used to induce abortion.
This legislation could have far-reaching impacts, given that over 60% of abortions in 2023 were medication-based. The Comstock Act wouldn’t just limit access to abortion pills, effectively banning medication abortion; it would also cut off essential medical instruments and materials that healthcare providers need for procedural abortions. Without the ability to restock supplies from manufacturers, clinics would struggle to operate. In effect, enforcing the Comstock Act could bring abortion access to a halt across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
The policy implications of Trump’s presidency set up painful social consequences of polarization, betrayal, and mass horror. Political polarization has been consistently high since Trump’s first term, stretching the political spectrum beyond what many have seen before. In a disturbing display of racial hostility, African Americans across 20 states, including North Carolina, were left speechless when a mass text was sent the day after the election, instructing them to “pick cotton at the nearest plantation” with the threat that “executive slave catchers” will be there to pick recipients up in a brown van. Although directly unrelated to Trump’s campaign, his rhetoric sends a clear message to hate groups and racists that this behavior is acceptable in Trump’s new America.
Alongside Black and brown communities, women across the country–especially women of color, are grappling with the outcome of this election, as American voters have now chosen Donald Trump twice over two women who have come closest to the White House. Many women feel betrayed by their fellow Americans, as the choice seemed stark: a convicted felon and twice-impeached former president accused of sexual assault by over 25 women, or a highly educated woman with over 30 years of public service experience. The results have left many wondering: if Harris were a white man, would the polls have turned out differently?
The unexpected result has led many to share stories of cutting ties with lifelong friends and family members over their voting choices, with politics now seen by many as a matter of morals rather than opinions. The feelings of loneliness and hopelessness that have swept across the country are already having a heartbreaking impact. The Trevor Project, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth, reported a historic spike in crisis calls the day after the election, underscoring the severe mental toll the results have also taken on young queer voters.
It’s okay to feel upset about this election outcome—your feelings are valid. The anger, frustration, and sadness many of us are experiencing are real, and it’s important to honor those emotions. We don’t have to ignore or bury them; instead, we can channel them into meaningful action. Our work toward equity isn’t done yet. There’s still power in our voices, especially at the local level. Get involved by calling your senators and representatives to share your views on key legislation. Attend school board meetings, city halls, and town halls. Keep advocating and speaking out, we can push for a future rooted in the values we stand for.
