Along with other colleges across the country, Clemson participated in the highly contested presidential election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
A team of individuals at Clemson’s Social Media Listening Center utilized technology to gather information from hundreds of sources regarding conversations occurring during the election.
They “found that conversation around early voting was substantially higher during this election cycle as compared to 2020. And we found that issues of immigration and the economy were the most frequently mentioned in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia,” Brandon Boatwright, director of the Social Media Listening Center, told The Tiger in an interview.
The Tiger reached the Clemson College Republicans and the Clemson College Democrats for statements on the election’s outcome.
“Donald Trump’s triumph, in both the electoral college and popular vote, is a rejection of the current Democrat party and all it stands for. The American people have given a resounding ‘no’ to progressivism, open borders, and unending foreign aid. We’re hopeful for the future of this country and are relieved to see that our generation is waking up,” Jane Kihne told The Tiger on behalf of the Clemson College Republicans.
“While the results of the 2024 Presidential election are disheartening, the Clemson College Democrats respect and revere the democratic process, regardless of the outcome. To the communities who may be feeling scared and vulnerable right now – women, minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and many others – know that the Clemson College Democrats will continue to fight for your voice to be heard and your seat at the table. Above all, we hope that the Trump administration finds its way past the motives of revenge and grievance expressed during the campaign and governs to help all Americans, rather than to hurt those they dislike,” Jordan Sylvester stated on behalf of the Clemson College Democrats.
During this election cycle, many states that leaned toward a Democratic standing or were called for President Joe Biden in 2020 switched to Republican this year. These states include Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
South Carolina saw a similar outcome in this election, when compared to the 2020 results. Only one county, Jasper County, ultimately changed from Democrat to Republican. This year, South Carolina saw a record-breaking 2.55 million voters, which is up from the 2.53 million votes cast in 2020, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
Republicans flipped the Senate by the morning of Nov. 6 and were projected to take control of the House of Representatives on Nov. 11. With the Republicans in unified control of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, the Trump administration will gain more effective opportunities to pursue legislation. The party will have fewer issues passing policies and laws, as they will not have to face a Democratic-controlled House or Senate.
The 2024 election has resulted in a nationwide divide, including the burning of ballot boxes in the states of Washington and Oregon.
“We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders, we’re going to fix everything about our country, and we’ve made history for a reason tonight,” Trump stated in a victory speech after being declared president-elect in the early morning of Nov. 6.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech in the afternoon on Nov. 6. In her speech, she focused on the younger generation.
“I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions and aspirations,” she said.
Trump’s election as the 47th president of the United States makes him only the second president in history to serve two nonconsecutive terms, after Grover Cleveland.
