American School of Paris students react to U.S. presidential results

By Tailor Liedtke
ASPire Staff Writer

It was a grey, rainy Wednesday morning in Paris by the time the U.S. presidential election results were announced, and the weather mirrored students’ reactions: Anger, disappointment and fear.

“I was shocked. I had a panic attack — I was just like what the hell is going on,” said Seung-Min Nam, a senior, describing how she felt when she woke up to the news that Trump was in the lead.

“I think Trump won because people are scared. He used their fear to win,” said Lizzy Furr, a senior who has lived in Utah and California.

Furr was one of several students who was old enough to vote but had not cast a ballot: “I thought Trump wasn’t going to win, so I didn’t need to vote,” she said, adding, “I feel guilty about it.”

While most students said they were devastated by news of Trump’s victory, there were those who were pleased.

“The people of America have spoken, and they have spoken correctly. They elected a complete baller,” said Sean Casari, a senior from Texas. “He told the Americans exactly what they wanted to hear… and in my opinion that was a very smart move and it obviously paid off for his campaign.”

Others said they had little skin in the game and found the election irrelevant.

“I don’t care, I have no reaction. I’m not American, I could care less,” said Chris Kumar, senior, when asked how he felt about the results.

Claire Sun, a senior from Beijing, summed up the feelings of many students, both pro- and anti-Trump: “It’s gonna be a tough four years.”