In a recent interview with NBC News, President-elect Donald Trump addressed the segment of the American population that did not cast their votes in his favor in the recent election.
Trump's victory in the November elections marked a historic return to the White House, overcoming Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to lead a major party's ticket. This victory is the second time Trump has triumphed over a female contender in a presidential race, having previously defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016.
According to Newsweek, Harris' rise to the Democratic nomination was unexpected, following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race due to concerns about his age and a poor debate performance against Trump. However, at 78, Trump now holds the record as the oldest person elected president. His victory was marked by an improved performance across most demographics, enabling him to reclaim key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia, which he had lost to Biden four years prior.
During his first major interview since the election, Trump was asked by host Kristen Welker about his message to those Americans who did not vote for him. The President-elect responded, "I'm going to treat you every bit as well as I have treated the greatest MAGA [Make America Great Again] supporters." He further emphasized his commitment to treating all citizens equally, prioritizing the safety and success of the nation, and reducing crime rates.
Trump also revealed that his inaugural address would center on a message of unity, stating, "It's going to be a message of unity, and I think success brings unity. And I've experienced that. I've experienced it in my first term, as I've said. We're going to be talking about unity, and we're going to be talking about success. Making our country safe. Keeping people that shouldn't be in our country out, we have to do that. I know it doesn't sound nice, but we have to do that. Basically, it's going to be about bringing our country together."
Despite his message of unity, concerns persist about Trump's upcoming presidency, particularly regarding issues such as abortion and immigration. A CNN exit poll revealed that a majority of women voted for Harris, indicating a national divide on women's reproductive health. During his campaign, Trump stated that abortion was a state issue and that he would not sign a national abortion ban. However, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, conservatives have sought to restrict abortion access in many states, leading to increased public concern.
The aftermath of Trump's victory has also seen a surge in online misogyny, with the phrase "your body, my choice" seeing a 5,150 percent increase in mentions from November 5 to 9. In response, many women have voiced their concerns about the future of abortion rights and women's health under Trump's second administration. Some women have even joined the 4B movement, abstaining from romantic and sexual relationships with men and shaving their heads.
As the incoming administration prepares to take office, there are divided concerns about its promise of mass deportations for illegal immigrants. In response, California lawmakers are taking proactive steps to protect the state's values and its immigrant community. The California legislature has initiated a special session to provide additional resources for legal action if needed. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who represents the San Fernando Valley and chairs the Assembly Budget Committee, stated, "We need to be prepared, and while we hope to collaborate and avoid litigation, we have a responsibility to California residents and taxpayers to make sure we're not caught flat-footed."
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