A little over a week has passed since former President Donald Trump’s defeat. Vice President Kamala Harris to become the 47th President of the United States. This election undoubtedly illustrates the dissensions and disagreements of the nation as a whole. But, for some people, it also showed the disconnect in their own romantic relationships. Yes, some couples have discovered – or simply could no longer ignore – that one of them would vote for Trump and the other for Harris.

According to Washington Post exit polls53 percent of women voted for Harris and 55 percent of men voted for Trump nationwide. Of course, this ignores a lot of nuance, given that only 45% of white women voted for Harris, compared to 91% of black women and 60% of Hispanic and Latino women. Meanwhile, 77 percent of black men voted for Harris, compared to just 37 percent of white men and 43 percent of Hispanic and Latino men.

Social networks, Reddit has TikTokhas been populated in recent months with stories of individuals — mostly women — who were unsure how to proceed with a partner who decided to support Trump. Some vowed to “rescind” their husbands’ votes, while others ended their relationships because of their partners’ support for Trump.

PS spoke to several people expressing their frustration or inability to continue a relationship because of this choice. One remark as the polls closed came from a Harris voter with a Trump supporter boyfriend. She said: “It’s a real challenge and it definitely brings a new perspective to the relationship.”

Once the election results became clear, this feeling became even more acute. “I felt so much sadness in my heart today, but I broke up with my boyfriend over the phone because he voted for him,” another woman shared. “I feel numb.”

In one case, we spoke in depth with a woman facing this difficult dynamic. Megan, 35, lives in Indiana, just outside of Chicago. In the last election, she voted for Harris while her partner, 33, voted for Trump. Megan spent 10 years with her partner, but she didn’t realize how different her and her partner’s political views were until the last election. We first spoke with Megan about this experience and its impact before Election Day and again after the results were announced — and they have since had a conversation about the end of their relationship. Here is his view, in his own words, as told to PS.

I voted for Harris because I want to be able to live in America as a woman. That’s the long and the short of it. I want to know that another one of my rights will not be taken away to appeal to extremists. I want to move forward, not back an entire century. He voted for Trump because he believes women don’t have the ability to play these kinds of roles because they are “too emotional,” which is hilarious when you think about the many tantrums Trump has had. provoked for nothing. He wants a “better America” and doesn’t realize the damage Trump will continue to cause if he returns to power. He hears other opinions instead of stating his own, beyond “women are too emotional” and “abortion is wrong.”

This definitely caused a fracture that wasn’t as bad as before. The situation began to escalate when it was announced that Harris was succeeding Biden, and the situation has only gotten worse. He just can’t see a woman in this position of power and I can. It’s been difficult for him to not have his own thoughts, but rather regurgitate nonsense from extremely conservative friends.

This is a very contentious time for relationships if you are on opposing political camps. It’s one thing to disagree on something like what to eat for dinner. It’s another to disagree on important topics like women’s bodily autonomy, the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the genocide in Gaza.

I was devastated Wednesday morning. I almost didn’t go to work. When he asked me why I was upset, I couldn’t believe it. He said: “The right party won and that’s all that matters.”

The election results made me realize that there is a fundamental division in my relationship. There is no “we can still be together” when you are on opposite sides of human rights and morality. I would never say that my partner is a bad person, but I can say that we are fundamentally and diametrically different.

When I asked my partner what made him vote for someone who was – insert adjectives here – he asked me where the evidence for these things was. I was disconcerted. I couldn’t believe the lack of awareness of the blatant racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia and homophobia that this man spewed on national television and social media. It was scandalous.

Again, there is a difference of opinion on what to eat for dinner, but there is no agreement when you think disenfranchising people is okay. Just say you don’t like women and move on.

We are just too different and I couldn’t imagine moving forward or bringing children into the world with someone who doesn’t share the same values ​​as me.

Sarah Fielding is an acclaimed journalist with seven years of experience covering mental health, social issues and technology for publications including PS, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Insider and Engadget. She is also co-founder of Empire Coven, a space highlighting trailblazing women across the United States.