Emerson community members woke up Wednesday to the news that former President Donald Trump had won the 2024 presidential election and would hold office for the next four years. 

In the hours following the news, the sentiment from students, faculty, and staff was emotional, with many expressing fear for the future and disbelief at the results. 

Omar Bican, a junior visual media arts major, said he woke up feeling hopeful.

“I woke up this morning thinking ‘Okay I’m gonna see that she won,’ and I was just disappointed,” he said. 

Emerson can be an echo chamber, he said, especially when discussing politics. 

“I don’t think we’re exposed to a lot of Republicans, or a lot of Trump supporters at this school and the thing is, that’s the majority of this country,” Bican said. 

Referencing the former president’s 34 felony convictions and numerous sexual assault allegations, Bican said that he was surprised that people still support Trump. 

“And that’s what’s scary,” he said, “I don’t realize, and a lot of Emersonians didn’t realize that he’ll always have supporters, no matter what.”

Frankie Mendez, a junior comedic arts major, said that he also felt devastated upon learning that Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election. 

“It felt like the entire United States turned on her and just wanted somebody who is so corrupted and so twisted,” Mendez said.

Mendez said that he is afraid of what policies Trump might implement once in office.

“It’s such a reality check on what kind of country we live in, and what they deem important. [Trump] can do whatever he wants, and that’s what’s scary,” he said.

Mendez says he is often able to find humor, even in tense situations, but was unable to find anything funny while listening to Trump’s speech Tuesday night.

Mia Cassidy, a junior writing, literature, and publishing major, said she was fearful for the next four years and the various policies that Trump may try to implement once in office. 

“A lot of the people in my class circle are really heartbroken and sad to see who we have elected to make our decisions for the next four years, [especially] knowing what his plans are and what he proposes to do,” Cassidy said.

While she said disappointment and sadness were valid, the Emerson community should be motivated by their strong emotions following the results. 

“Sit in that hurt and let it guide you, and just don’t be taken down by it,” Cassidy said. 

Referring to those who were happy with the election results and voted for Trump, Cassidy expressed a desire to understand why they voted for Trump. 

“I think there’s a lot of space for us to try and understand why they made those decisions and what those values are that are leading people to vote for Trump and how they feel that he’s going to represent them and their morals,” she said. 

The election outcome felt targeted, especially for minorities, according to Christopher Wilson, the administration associate to the chair of Emerson’s journalism department. 

“This was a revenge vote. There are many people in this country who will vote against their own self-interest to make a trans person sad or to make an immigrant sad,” Wilson said.

Along with his sadness at the results, Wilson sees the election results as a call to get involved with civil service, something he plans to do upon leaving Emerson this Friday.

“This is definitely the moment to go join a civic organization, to go join a political movement,” Wilson said. “I’m probably going to go try to save some wetlands instead of what I was planning on doing because the way we fight fascism is through community and being organized.”

Despite the initial disappointment upon hearing the election results, some students expressed gratitude for the Emerson community and the resources available. 

Maddie Cohen said she was grateful for the sense of community and togetherness on campus. 

“I feel like overhearing conversations in the elevator or in the dining hall, it’s nice to hear that everyone’s feeling the same way,” the freshman VMA major said. “Everyone’s processing it differently, but, there’s a sense of solidarity.” 

In addition to a Nov. 5 email that listed walk-in counseling hours across Emerson’s three campuses, EmersonTogether sent another email on Wednesday afternoon with both student-specific and employee-specific counseling resources. 

“Please remember that times like these call on our collective empathy and strength—not just as a community but as a nation and world,” the email said. 

“We are confident in our community and encourage you to lean on the support systems around you while offering that support to one another.”

Additionally, President Jay Bernhardt sent an email Wednesday morning, acknowledging the election results and the response from the Emerson community. 

“Many may be asking what this means for the future of our country and our roles and rights in society,” Bernhardt wrote. “Together, we will continue to create a foundation for moving forward that is resilient, compassionate, and steeped in our educational priorities. This will never change.”

At the Kasteel Well Program, many students stayed up all night watching the election from abroad. A little over one-third of the student population was at a watch party hosted by the Office of Student Affairs until 6 a.m. while others waited until they woke up to look at the news.

When Pennsylvania was called for Trump, most of the Castle dwellers were getting ready to go to breakfast. The time difference meant that the students abroad heard the election results before many of their friends in Boston.

Penelope Buckingham, a sophomore theater and performance major, described how the typically joyful energy of the campus quickly dissipated.

“The vibe here is very grim, it feels like a ghost castle, people are there but they don’t seem like people … It’s very empty,” said Buckingham.

Beacon Staff Bryan Hecht contributed to this report