The votes are in. Following an incredibly close and dramatic election cycle, Donald Trump has been elected as the 45th president of the United States.
After months of Twitter drama, heated debates and overwhelming displays of particularly party-dividing campaigning, the results arrived early Wednesday morning, shocking North Carolina, America and the world. When the Republican nominee picked up swing states Florida and North Carolina on Tuesday night, the road to the Oval Office seemed a bit more clear, but it wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning Wednesday that the final decision was called at last.
This will go down in the books as perhaps one of the most turbulent, unpredictable and unprecedented in the history of our country. Regardless of the win, the most important thing is to remember this: yes, respect the decisions of your fellow Americans. But first and foremost, respect, protect and love your fellow Americans. Period.
— Tiana
QUICK HITS (OF WINNERS)
- A clear result won't be known in North Carolina's gubernatorial debate for several days. Stay tuned for updates.
- North Carolinians elected incumbent Sen. Richard Burr to his third term on the U.S. Senate.
- Voters in Orange County passed two important bonds: one to improve the capacity and safety of Orange County schools and another to construct affordable housing units.
IN ALL THAT WE’VE BEEN THROUGH
The past year has been an absolute rollercoaster in the world of politics. Donald Trump contributed to the ride in particular, defying all expectations by unabashedly speaking his mind and delivering opinions once considered taboo. "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters," Trump once said. And given the results of last night’s election, his voters’ support proved to be true.
IN GETTING WHAT WE NEED
Chapel Hill might be getting its first winery. Cheers. Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm might soon expand to include Botanist and Barrel, a project dreamed up by siblings Kether and Lyndon Smith. Despite running into several bumps in the road, the siblings’ dream may come to fruition in July 2017. After raising $12,750 toward opening the winery, the siblings hope to provide Chapel Hill with wine suited to individuals’ tastes.
IN MAKING LIGHT OF THE SITUATION
Political memes kept us alive this election cycle. After nights of staying up late in deep contemplation of aimless debates and Twitter beef of presidential proportions, nothing better kept our political spirit alive than memes like red sweater-wearing Ken Bone and Hillary Clinton channeling her inner Jim Halpert from "The Office." Political memes, we thank you. We thank you so much.
IN SMALLER-SCALE INSANITY
Kyle Meade really loves sharing his opinion. Inundating the UNC Class of 2019 Facebook page with posts about why people who lose their belongings aren’t “real adults,” the sophomore’s social media presence can be called nothing less than iconic. After a firestorm of annoyed responses, some students even voted to have Meade banned from the paged completely.
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