JERSEY woke up this morning to the news that Donald Trump was almost certain to return to the White House – a likelihood which has now become fact.
Eight years since he first entered the Oval Office and four since he was evicted by Joe Biden, the 45th president will become the 47th in January after beating Democrat hopeful Kamala Harris.
Reporter Julien Morel spoke to Americans living in Jersey to get their reaction to the news.
TAYLOR Smyth, a native Virginian who advises businesses in Jersey on how they can become more sustainable, was clear in her views before the election that a Trump presidency would be disruptive and destabilising.
She said: “I am certainly disappointed, but as Thomas Jefferson wisely said: ‘The government you elect is the government you deserve.’”
She added: “After this election, there will be all kinds of grand statements about what the future holds for our country and the world. But the truth is, we won’t really have all the answers.
“Despite that, people will act like the results are the final verdict on our civilisation. The reality is, we’ll all wake up today and tomorrow and the next day … and have to work hard to shape the world the way we want it.
“The pundits who offer their ‘definitive’ conclusions based on the outcome will likely be wrong, and we have to keep that in mind.
“But remember, this isn’t the end; it’s not over.
“We must regroup, keep fighting, and keep working every single day to build the better society we know is possible – one that’s good for our children, our country, and the world.”
ACADEMIC and teacher Dr Sean Dettman said: “Last night’s election results did not materialise without warning: polls had indicated that it would be a tight race, and that a Trump victory was a real possibility. And, as unfortunate as this is for many people, we only have ourselves to blame. Why? Because the Democratic party has lost its way.
“Let’s examine the record: the Democratic Party has been trading off the presidencies of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama for years, moving further and further away from the party of a functioning social democracy.
“Instead, they pander to the notion that balanced budgets are more important than expanding public services; they agree that immigration is out of control and that something must be done about it, including detaining people at the border and mass deportations; and they cower against any attempt to reduce the one-trillion-dollar annual war chest that funds conflicts and death across the globe.
“The Democratic Party has become comfortable, and indeed dependent, on demonstrating their commitment to the status quo, and reduced to the lowest common denominator of risk.
“Where are their policies to retain the loyalty of the Dirt Road Democrat? Where are their promises to reinstate a proper social safety net, to defend the rights for working-class Americans to organise, and to stop demonising immigrants as a threat to the American way of life?”
He added: “Kamala Harris lost the election because she is not the leader of the Democratic Party. And until they find someone who can take control of the party – someone who can reconnect with everyday Americans, black and white, man and woman – they will struggle to overcome this new brand of conservative nationalism and fail to make America a social democracy again.”
A NATIVE New Yorker, Peter Funk has lived in Jersey since the early 80s and has played a significant role in the development of telecommunications in the Island.
Speaking yesterday from an aircraft about to leave the Airport after two days of being fog-bound in Jersey, Mr Funk said: “I did not call this election, and I expected Kamala Harris to have had a fighting chance to win. It is a huge surprise because I thought my compatriots had a better understanding of what Trump represents.
“How a man who was impeached twice when president and faced 34 charges for felony has been returned to office is beyond me; I do not understand it.
“In his dream world, whatever problem exists, he will fix it, just through his huge ability. But he has not a single policy or political agenda to progress.
“It is all bluster, confusion and disruption.”
He added: “Kamala Harris has done a good job in the three months she had to campaign. She and her team built up tremendous support in that time.
“But it appears that the Democrats have lost control of the Senate and the House may also go to the Republicans. If they get full control of Congress, Trump will be unbridled. You cannot run the world’s biggest economic, political and military power in a haphazard fashion, but now we have a leader who is chaotic, undisciplined and dishonest.
“He will not resolve Ukraine or the Middle East, he sees Europe and China as enemies and he has a long track record of lying. I’m sorry to be so negative.”
However, Mr Funk – who first voted in a US election in 1960, when Kennedy defeated Nixon – is able to take a long-term view.
“The United States has always been self-correcting; there is a natural rhythm within its government, systems and people,” he said.
“There will be a correction in time; the question is, what will happen between now and the next mid-term elections in two years’ time?
“Biden had vast experience and kept a steady hand on the tiller, but that ship has sailed. I have no idea where this new captain will take us.”
