Why I'm Mad at You

I. More Than Politics—A Question of Values

The morning after the election, I stared blankly at the news updates on my phone: Donald J. Trump would be the next President of the United States. I didn't just feel disappointment, I felt fear, anger, and disbelief.

What upsets me isn’t just that my candidate lost—it’s the precedent this sets. Enough people were willing to overlook Trump’s criminal record and questionable moral background to put him back into the white house.

This goes beyond politics. It’s about the unsettling message that choice sends about our values and priorities as a country.

II. Moral and Ethical Concerns

A. Trump’s Criminal Background

Trump is the first U.S. president, former or sitting, to face criminal indictments, including 34 felony convictions for falsifying business records, with over 50 additional charges pending. This unprecedented record alone should raise serious concerns.

Alongside these convictions, Trump has been accused by at least 26 women of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape. While Trump denies the allegations, as a survivor myself, I choose to believe these women.

For those who rely on evidence over empathy, note that only 2-10% of sexual assault claims are estimated to be false or unfounded. Meanwhile, according to the NSVRC, 63% of sexual assaults are never reported. These numbers paint a bleak reality: survivors are often silenced, discredited, or dismissed, something I've experienced myself.

Lastly, Trump's refusal to sign the ethics agreement required by law for the presidential transition raises further questions about his respect for legal norms and ethical accountability.

B. Concerns for Women and Survivors

Trump’s treatment of women goes beyond the allegations outlined above; it reflects a broader culture of undermining survivors’ experiences.

Consider the real-life implications of electing someone accused of such misconduct. Imagine being a survivor watching your abuser rise to the presidency. Your pain is dismissed, your experience trivialized—all in favor of political allegiance. This isn’t just a matter of policy; it's a visceral blow to you and anyone who has fought to overcome similar trauma.

His personal accusations are troubling enough, but his policies—like restricting reproductive rights—show a pattern of disregarding women’s autonomy and safety. I believe we owe it to ourselves and to future generations to elect leaders who demonstrate respect and integrity toward women and all marginalized groups.

C. Shift in Voter Priorities

Personally, I believe that everything we've discussed up until now makes Trump unfit to be President. As a nation, we decided to overlook the following disqualifiers:

• Felon
• Rapist
• Misogynist
• Racist
• Transphobe
• Homophobe

Somehow, these weren’t dealbreakers; instead, party loyalty and campaign promises outweighed these alarming attributes. What does it say about our collective values when these attributes are overlooked in favor of political allegiance?

III. Immigration

Immigration is a hot-button issue for many conservatives, and it’s clear Trump used it effectively to rally support. But let’s take a closer look. The truth is, undocumented immigrants often become scapegoats, portrayed as criminals or freeloaders. In reality, they are vital to our economy and communities. To understand their real impact, let's break down the facts.

A. Economic Impact of Mass Deportation

One of Trump’s campaign promises has been a mass deportation of the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. But have you considered what that would actually cost us? The estimated financial burden is $88 billion per year to deport one million immigrants. That's $967.9 billion over more than a decade.

Additionally, undocumented immigrants make up more than 5% of the labor force, with significant representation in critical industries like construction, restaurants, agriculture, and manufacturing. Mass deportations would lead to severe labor shortages and economic disruption.

B. Immigrant Contributions

Many people believe undocumented immigrants drain social services and don’t pay taxes, but the numbers tell a different story. In 2022, undocumented immigrants paid an estimated $96.7 billion in total taxes—federal, state, and local.

Despite these contributions, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for most federal benefits like Medicaid and SNAP. This creates a situation where people who help fund our systems are excluded from them. These are families who work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the same communities they’re often shut out of.

C. Influence of Media Bias on Public Perception

One of the fear tactics pushed by Trump and the media is that undocumented immigrants commit crimes at a higher rate. According to the National Institute of Justice, this isn't true:

An NIJ-funded study examining data from the Texas Department of Public Safety estimated the rate at which undocumented immigrants are arrested for committing crimes. The study found that undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes and a quarter the rate of native-born citizens for property crimes.

Fear-mongering thrives on misinformation, which makes fact-checking more important than ever. Tools like this interactive media bias map and AllSides’ Media Bias Chart offer insights into the leanings and reliability of popular news outlets, helping you critically evaluate sources.

IV. Inflation and Economic Policies

The economy remains a top priority for many Americans. After speaking with Trump voters and observing discussions among conservatives, it's clear the high cost of living is a major driver of support for his policies. Trump's campaign promises a stronger economy, but how would his proposals affect Americans' wallets?

A. Tariffs

Trump has proposed 20% general tariffs on all imported goods, as well as a steep 60% tariff on imports from China.

When tariffs are imposed, the cost doesn’t disappear—it’s passed on to us, the consumers. That means higher prices for everything from electronics to clothing. Trump’s proposed tariffs could cost households thousands annually.

Economists, like those at The Wall Street Journal and Moody's Analytics, warn these proposals could worsen inflation, increase deficits, and slow economic growth—leading to higher costs for everyday Americans.

B. Tax Cuts

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced individual and estate tax cuts, but many provisions are set to expire in 2025 unless extended—a move Trump has expressed interest in pursuing.

Who benefits most from the TCJA?

• The highest-income households (earning $450,000 or more) receive over 45% of the benefits, with their after-tax income increasing by 3.2%.
• In contrast, middle-income households (earning $65,000–$116,000) see a smaller gain, with a tax cut of about 1.3%.

Beyond tax cuts, Trump has promised to lower costs for essentials like groceries and healthcare. However, no concrete policies have been presented to support these claims.

While low and middle-class families may see some savings under an extended TCJA, these benefits are dwarfed by the gains of the top 5%. Combined with Trump’s tariff policies, the average American is likely to face higher overall costs, raising questions about who truly benefits from these economic strategies.

V. Project 2025 – The Future of American "Rights" and "Freedoms"

Project 2025, a 900-page manifesto from the Heritage Foundation, outlines an ambitious and deeply conservative vision for our future. While Trump denies direct knowledge of the document, at least 140 of his associates contributed to its development, according to CNN.

The proposals include:

• Reproductive Rights: Reversing FDA approval of the abortion medication
• Government Overhauls: Eliminating the Department of Education and dismantling the Department of Homeland Security.
• Family and Gender Policies: Mandating "traditional family structures" and defining gender as strictly biological.
• Military Exclusion: Banning transgender individuals from military service.
• Expanded Executive Power: Centralizing control of federal agencies under the president, adopting the controversial "unitary executive theory."
• Social and Cultural Restrictions: Rolling back progress on diversity, media freedom, and “woke” policies.
• Environmental and Financial Cuts: Slashing renewable energy funding and abolishing the Federal Reserve.
• Erasure of Key Terms: Removing words like “sexual orientation,” “gender equality,” and “reproductive rights” from federal laws and regulations.

If put into action, Project 2025 could reshape the country in ways that roll back individual freedoms, weaken checks and balances, and undo decades of progress on equality and justice.

VI. Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility and a Call to Awareness

These challenges are not just political—they are about the kind of country we want to build together. These policies and proposals directly impact human rights, economic stability, and the well-being of marginalized communities.

What can we do?

1. Learn about Project 2025 and Trump’s policies to understand their far-reaching impacts.
2. Fact-check the information you share and ensure accuracy and reliability.
3. Think about how policies will affect human rights, the economy, and the environment when you vote.

America’s strength lies in its diversity and resilience. By staying informed and holding leaders accountable, we can make choices that bring us together instead of driving us apart.

We may not agree on everything, but we all have a shared stake in this nation’s future. Together, we can strive for a country that honors justice, equality, and human dignity.

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Reflections on the Title:

Frankly, I am mad. Mad about the outcome of this election, but I'm also mad at myself for not having this conversation with you sooner. This anger is more than just frustration—it's a call to action.

Personally, I think we let our nation down. While the next four years may be hard, it's more important than ever to stay educated, stay involved, and vote during mid-terms and local elections. We have a responsibility to rebuild, together, and to hold our leaders accountable.

Thank you for reading. This article represents roughly 15 hours of researching, writing, and workshopping. While my personal views lean left, I consulted a mix of sources, including central and left-leaning outlets. Central sources are limited, but I sought to verify claims across multiple perspectives where possible.

I encourage thought-provoking discussions, constructive feedback, and differing perspectives in the comments. However, hate towards any group or person will not be tolerated.