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Like many Americans across the country, I woke up this morning in profound disbelief following this year’s presidential election results. It was unthinkable that Donald Trump — a twice-impeached former president and convicted felon — had not only secured a second presidential victory, but won both the Electoral College and the popular vote. For many, this outcome was unexpected and draws questions of what his looming term will mean for our generation.

This outcome represents more than an unexpected result for young people across the country, particularly college students. It highlights a deep divide between our vision of progress and the appeal that Trump’s message still holds for millions of voters. Many Americans, whether motivated by loyalty, disillusionment or fear of the unknown, still place their trust in Trump.

His appeal spans demographics once considered progressive strongholds; exit polls reveal surprising support among Latino voters, unexpected gains in urban areas and a marked increase in young voters compared to previous elections.

For those who wanted the 2024 election to be a turning point in politics, these results feel like a bitter reversal, underscoring the fact that political change is never as straightforward or inevitable as it might seem.
This outcome forces us to confront difficult truths, including the role that sexism plays in the rejection of a vision championed by women leaders within the Democratic Party. Despite an intense focus on issues like reproductive rights, Trump’s appeal, especially to men, remained strong. This persistence prompts difficult questions about how deeply-ingrained gender biases shape perceptions of Democratic candidates and their policies.

But, the blame doesn’t rest solely with social biases or voter shifts. Much of this result reflects shortcomings within Kamala Harris’ abbreviated campaign. Their failure to connect with key demographics, address economic anxieties and counter Trump’s populist appeal contributed to a sense of detachment among voters.

While both Joe Biden and Harris campaigned to preserve institutions, many Americans viewed them as out of touch with the everyday person’s urgent challenges. Their campaign often came across as reactive and defensive, failing to inspire the broad coalition needed to sustain support.

Biden and Harris’ missteps left an opening for Trump, especially for those who feel unheard or skeptical of political elites. For those who believed in a different path, this election serves as a sobering reminder of the amount of work still ahead.

Change won’t come from assumptions or complacency; it requires understanding the diverse concerns of voters across the spectrum and building a movement that transcends echo chambers, biases and party miscalculations.
Young people today are navigating a political landscape that feels unrecognizable from what they were promised — a society where their voices matter and progress aligns with their values.

Instead, the continued rise of figures like Trump signals a harsh truth: there is a widening disconnect between centrist liberalism and the realities of many Americans. This isn’t just about Trump’s appeal; it’s about recognizing the systemic issues that have fueled his brand of populism.

For our generation, the discontent isn’t simply about policy, but stems from a profound sense of betrayal. Centrist liberalism, with its promises of stability and incremental progress, has often failed to address the urgent challenges of our generation — from economic insecurity and climate change to systemic inequality.

In the eyes of many young voters, this approach hasn’t stopped figures like Trump, but has fostered the conditions that allow such leaders to thrive. His victory in the 2016 presidential election was not an anomaly, but an early signal of a shift that will continue. Centrist politics losing to “Trumpism” isn’t over; it’s just beginning, as new forms of disciplined, right-wing populism emerge.

Alex Levy | Contributing Designer

But why do so many Americans feel disempowered and distrustful of the current political system? A strong sense of alienation drives many voters, especially young people, to engage with politics in ways that go beyond traditional party lines. Instead of supporting leaders for specific policies, they often back figures like Trump as an act of defiance against a system they see as broken, inaccessible and indifferent to their struggles. Many feel disillusioned with traditional institutions — government, media, corporations, and educational systems — which they believe serve elites while ignoring the desperation needs of ordinary citizens.

For young people in particular, this disillusionment runs deep. We confront mounting student debt, limited job opportunities and skyrocketing living costs, all while political responses feel out of touch with our daily struggles. Supporting Trump’s reckless and polarizing rhetoric, becomes, for some, a form of protest against a system they perceive as rigged. To these young voters, Trump represents a disruptor — someone seemingly willing to challenge the establishment, even if his policies and actions might, in the end, benefit those same elites.
This phenomenon highlights a shift in political engagement, where voters may prioritize symbolic gestures over concrete policy outcomes. For some, supporting Trump is a statement against a political landscape that feels inaccessible, where their voices go unheard unless channeled through someone willing to break the mold. It’s not so much about expecting Trump to resolve grievances as it is about signaling a refusal to conform to a system that seems hopelessly rigged and unresponsive to real change. In this sense, Trump’s appeal among disillusioned young people speaks to a deeper, underlying desire for transformation – a desire that mainstream liberal politics has struggled to address or even fully acknowledge.

The popularity of figures like Trump shows a significant change in how many Americans, especially young people, think about politics. This shift isn’t just about wanting certain policies; it’s about rejecting the moderate, slow-moving approach that has defined centrist liberalism. Many young people feel frustrated with a political system they see as outdated and unresponsive to their needs. They’re not just looking for small adjustments — they want a complete overhaul of how politics works to make it truly serve the people.

This growing wave of discontent calls for bold leaders with a clear vision to address critical issues like student debt, housing costs, stagnant wages and inflation. Young voters are tired of empty promises; they want leaders who will challenge powerful interests and build a political system that genuinely supports their values and aspirations. Democrats, in particular, face a crucial choice: they risk continued losses unless they prioritize campaigning on and improving voters’ material conditions — a challenge that current centrist liberal ideals can’t meet. Without a drastic shift in approach, their connection with younger generations and disillusioned voters will only weaken.

Whether the political establishment is ready to embrace this sweeping demand for change remains uncertain. But, one thing is clear: America’s future will be defined by those willing to break from the conventions of the past and create a system that fully supports the next generation’s drive for a more equitable, responsive and transformative approach to governance.

Dennis DiSantis is a junior majoring in political science. His column appears bi-weekly. He can be reached at dadisant@syr.edu.

Published on November 7, 2024 at 12:39 am