Mixed reactions to Trump victory among Jamaicans locally

Jamaicans in St Andrew were shocked, surprised and indifferent at former US president Donald Trump’s victory in the United States general election on Tuesday, and the implications it may have for Jamaicans locally and internationally.

Some reactions are captured here.

Andrew Bird

I expected that victory ... because America does not like females running the country. The Democrats were also talking about sex and rights for women and those things; they weren’t talking anything about the war. So as a result of that I expected that he would win. I think it’s more of the same for Jamaica...

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John O’Connor

Personally, because of sentiments I would have preferred Kamala to win, but I am really shocked that the American people chose a criminal. I know that couldn’t work in Jamaica. Another thing is that people are concerned about the bottom line; how much money is in their pockets when they go to the supermarket. Kamala was not saying anything about the “bread and butter”.

Anthony Pearson

I’m surprised that he won, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it is what the United States has gone to. A man with the antecedents of Trump, having won the presidency once, didn’t perform well as far as I’m concerned, and he comes back and wins again. It looks a way. I don’t know if it will mean anything special for us. The Democrats lost it; it’s not necessarily that Trump won. In addition to the Democrats losing it, for a man with Trump’s antecedents to come back and win again against a lady who would have been a better manager, I think it is an indication of where America has gone.

Denico Clarke

Trump is Republican and from the very beginning he has always been pushing the Christian perspective: pro life. There are some grey areas but I don’t believe he is a bad president in the grander scheme of things. So let’s see what he does, let’s see the changes. I’m not sure if it will affect us negatively. People are concerned about visas and believe this may clamp down on them, but let’s see what happens. Give him some time.

Dayna Wallace

I always had the question as to whether America was ready for a female president. It’s not to say that a woman cannot be competent but it was a question. So I do contemplate if that was one of the reasons she didn’t win. I sincerely believe in all things God is sovereign and so Trump has won the election. He is the first Republican president to win the popular vote, (since George Bush in 2004) that has to be acknowledged. It says America spoke.

Barbara Gingerich

I am elated and relieved because I think the county was really on a bad track. The things I love especially about him is that he didn’t start any wars and he really cares about the country. He doesn’t need to be doing this. He could be sitting on a beach somewhere. He is really brave to keep going after they tried to take him out twice. I think the country and the people are much better off while he was in office. People may not like him personally but you don’t hire people for their personality. I think the world will be much more peaceful because of him.