Pathfinder: How did the media influence the result of the 2016 election?

Chris Bass, junior: Media played the role of the news messenger for providing more and more updates as the election went on.

Hannah Rushing, sophomore:The media helped to keep everyone informed, but it also created lots of bias towards the candidates.

Kate Goebel, sophomore: Almost everyone’s views have been shared through the media, this divides people and causes a lot of tension. Also a lot of media outlets are very liberal which is frustrating, it seems overly biased.

Brandon Eckhoff, senior: In my opinion the media played a huge role in this year’s election. For example, everyone projected Hillary to win, even the media, which gave Trump supporters more reason to make sure they voted.

Katie Spillman, junior: The media played a huge role in this election. They circulated all the information good and bad. Without the media, I think the election would have gone way differently. The media portrays their viewpoint- which can effect others.

Carly Anderson, freshman: I am shocked at the election’s results because of the way media covered the public’s opinions. It was made to seem like it was obvious that Hillary would win, and I am disgusted that people want someone so hateful running our country.

Anjali Shah, freshmen: The media helped spread the things that candidates said [or] did. For example, if significant events happened at a political rally.

Maya Hassan, freshmen: [The media] influenced other people’s decision. They also made tensions rise even higher between everyone.

Lance Griffith, junior: The media was great power to influence the popular opinion of voters and give people an idea who will most likely win.

What changes do you anticipate in America?

Bass: Trump might attempt to change, reverse or tweak laws already in practice.

Rushing: I think that Trump will create more cash flow within the government, but I don’t know if there will be as many civil rights movements as in Obama’s presidency.

Goebel: I anticipate a stronger, more militaristic government. I do not expect any changes on abortion.

Eckhoff: I expect a nicely built wall, and I also expect to see a positive impact in the economic growth in our country. Businesses should create more job opportunities.

Spillman: I’m scared. I’m worried that World War III will start or the stock market will crash. I’m worried Roe v. Wade will be overturned. I’m worried Latino and Latina people will get oppressed and stigmatized. I’m worried about the future for Muslim Americans. I’m worried America will become a fascist, militaristic country.

Anderson: I think immigration laws will be increased and enforced more heavily, and the one percent will be further unaffected by tables.

Shah: I expect there to be more focus on U.S. interests rather than foreign aid. I also expect more immigration and illegal immigrant control.

Hassan: I think he will not get rid of Obamacare and not [too many more] major changes. I just think he was dramatic.

Griffith: Stricter borders and better funded military.

How do you think tolerance and hate will be affected in America?

Bass: Not by much. If any, at this moment in time, there will be plenty of tolerance and hatred towards the man in office.

Goebel: I feel that even though Trump has said sexist and racist things, the world will continue to be progressive and more tolerant because the president is more of a figure head.

Eckhoff: I think the election may create more conflicts with racism within our country because we have a racist president.

Spillman: I think tolerance will go down. Trump’s big platforms are based on hate. He’s endorsed by the Klu Klux Klan. I think tolerance is a key value of America and that it will diminish under Donald Trump.

Anderson: I believe minorities will have to learn to accept and fight for each other while defending themselves against those whose hate has now been increased because of Trump’s public views and opinions.

Shah: Hatred will increase initially, but decrease as people get used to Trump’s campaign. [But] tolerance and hatred are individual and not based on the election.

Hassan: A lot of people were upset that Trump won. People were ranting. [It will] depend on what Trump does.

Griffith: I don’t think it will get any worse than it is now since the election made America a divided people.

Why do you think Clinton lost?

Bass: People didn’t believe her promises.

Rushing: I think more people voted for Trump’s views rather than his personality, so even though Clinton had a somewhat better personality than Trump, most people supported Trump’s views over hers.

Goebel: Clinton lost because she is a corrupt liar. The media allowed citizens to see how crooked she is and how she is manipulative.

Eckhoff:  I would say the main reason she lost was due to her lack of trust and lack of integrity because on certain topics, her stance would fluctuate just to please certain Americans.

Spillman: Hillary Clinton lost because of the media surrounding her emails. I think that’s stupid because she’s already been tried by a Federal Court, but I guess people were less comfortable with her in office than Trump.

Anderson: I think Hillary Clinton lost because [parts of] the media and those against her blew her one scandal out of proportion. In addition, multiple Republicans made claims that basically anything would be better than a Democrat or woman in office.

Shah: I think that Clinton lost because Trump’s voters consisted of white supremacists who didn’t want a woman as president since there was an African American president. Also the email scandal made people think that she was a liar. 

Hassan: She was considered a criminal and a liar by some people: people supported Trump more.

Griffith: People were unhappy with America, and they didn’t see Hillary bringing anything new to the table.