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    • What will a Trump presidency bring? Rhode Island voters ask questions after election
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    What will a Trump presidency bring? Rhode Island voters ask questions after election

    Umito Posted on

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    PROVIDENCE – Macy Brammer and Sarah Hodgman, Brown University graduate students, everyone took their quiche at The Artisan Café out on Wednesday to enjoy what would otherwise be a glorious November morning for them.

    But both were so stunned and demoralized by former president Donald Trump When they returned to the White House, they had lost their appetite.

    “I think our plates speak to it,” said Hodgman, 27, pointing to the barely touched quiche. “We have a little stomach ache. We are trying to understand what this means.

    Hours later Trump’s unprecedented victoryRhode Island voters either mourned or celebrated the outcome of the most important vote. Controversial presidential campaign for generations.

    “I think a lot of people who supported Trump said they knew he was a bad person, but it was all about the economy. I struggle with that,” Hodgman said. “I just don’t think we have any evidence that supports that claim. Additionally, Trump has no real plans to improve the economy, while Kamala has given very detailed plans. So it’s frustrating to me that people make decisions based on their feelings.

    Brammer, 23, says she now worries whether Trump’s perceived authoritarian tendencies could come to fruition.

    “A lot of people who were on his team in 2016 said they thought he was a fascist. I think he’s bad for the country and I think we’re going to see that.

    Trump Rotary supporters rejoice in victory

    Ten miles away in Johnston, an entirely different perspective on the election was being sung around a sunny table outside Brewed Awakenings on Atwood Avenue.

    “We were just singing!” said Ray Branco, 89, as he launched into another rendition of “Happy Days are here Again,” the 1932 campaign song of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat.

    “Our man is back and he is going to repair what they (the Democrats) destroyed,” Branco said.

    Branco holds court most mornings at the coffee shop with his friends Mike Storti, 87, John DeRensis, 85, and John Mancini, 78. Everyone proudly voted for Trump.

    Trump “is going to get to work and strengthen our country, and he’s not going to take revenge on anyone,” Branco said, rejecting allegations that Trump is seeking revenge on his opponents. “I actually think (President Joe) Biden and his team should apologize to Trump for calling him a fascist and all that.”

    “I just think he’s a low-level human being.”

    Dan Steiner, 47, a Wisconsin businessman, spoke on the phone with his wife, Karen, about the election as he walked past the Providence train station early Wednesday morning.

    He voted for Harris and was surprised by Trump’s return. “I didn’t think he would ever be able to come back from January 6,” the Capitol insurrection sparked by Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 defeat. “But I probably should be beyond d ‘be surprised. He defies all the rules of politics.

    “It wasn’t like I was a big Kamala Harris fan. I just don’t think he’s an honest person. I just think he’s a low level human being. There is no decency about him. Leadership comes with certain core values, including integrity. I think he misses it considerably.

    Steiner said he was less concerned about Trump destabilizing American life than about upending world events in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    America must support Ukraine, “because I don’t think (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin will stop” his invasion. “People like him don’t stop. I have a 16 year old son and these are the things that worry me.

    “It’s crazy to see how people react”

    Kayla Ruano, 30, of Pawtucket, got up at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning to hit the gym before leaving for work. Shortly after, her phone blew up with what she described as great news.

    “Oh my God, I felt so much relief.”

    Ruano is a security guard and also serves in the Air National Guard military police.

    “I’m in the military, so obviously I’m going to vote for Trump. Kamala doesn’t even care about the army.”

    Ruano said she was harshly criticized by people because of her support for Trump.

    “I had so many people insulting me yesterday, all night. It’s crazy to see how people react.

    “All over social media I see so much hate from people who support Kamala. I think everyone should be able to vote for whoever they want. But the hatred I’ve seen from this (Democratic) side is concerning. The way people are acting reminds me of January 6th. I’m not saying this will happen, but it is worrying.

    Ruano said she is a devout Christian who follows the Bible. “I’m not saying Trump is a perfect man. No, but if you follow the Bible, there is only one side that supports the Bible, and that is Trump.

    “We are still holding our breath”

    Laura Jaworski, executive director of the nonprofit House of Hope, said: “Collectively, we are still holding our breath and trying to absorb the reality of what another Trump administration will look like. »

    His group serves the unhoused population, establishes a pallet village and manages low-income housing.

    How did your municipality vote? Here’s a look at RI’s presidential results and how they’ve changed

    Jaworski said the U.S. Supreme Court, aided by Trump appointees, allowed cities and towns to criminalize homelessness, validating a ban on outdoor sleeping in one city in the Oregon.

    This decision and Trump’s intolerant rhetoric “encourage other communities to take actions that further marginalize unhoused people,” Jaworski said. “The fear is: Will this be a leader who doesn’t address issues or topics and instead allows it to be covered up in rhetoric?

    “Just do his job and shut up.”

    Paul and Julie Zito, former Rhode Islanders who now live near Sarasota, Fla., were in town Wednesday to finalize the sale of their Warwick home.

    Paul, 61, voted for Trump. Julie, 59, voted for Harris.

    “We had a divided family,” he said. “The girls voted Democratic and the guys voted Republican. »

    But they’re getting over it now, as everyone must.

    Paul said he didn’t know who to vote for until he heard someone ask the question: Are you in a better situation today than you were four years ago? For economic reasons, he opted for Trump; the couple owns two drug testing labs in Rhode Island and a hair salon in Florida.

    More: A Different Kind of Rhode Island Red, Plus a Few Surprises: Election Night Takeout

    “But we’ll see,” Paul said, laughing nervously. “He could destroy us.”

    Julie, who supported Harris, said, “I just hope it’s a lot less controversial than last time,” when Trump fought to overturn his defeat in 2020. “He incited a lot of violence. Let’s hope that’s not the case this time. His ego is a little less tender now. He has all the (necessary) voices. Now do the right thing.

    Paul can agree with this:

    “Just do his job and shut up.”

    With reports from Wheeler Cowperthwaite staff

    Umito
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