WASHINGTON — Young women from across the nation swarmed to Washington this weekend — but for very different reasons.
While many traveled to the capital to participate in Saturday’s Women’s March, many others were in town to celebrate the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Although Hillary Clinton, the first woman to secure a major party’s nomination, won majorities of the female and millennial vote, 42% of American women and about 37% of millennials cast their vote for Donald Trump in November.
I spoke to young women at Trump’s inauguration about how they believe Trump will fulfill his promise to “Make America Great Again,” and what that means to them. Here are some of their thoughts.
Brooke Cusack
Anchorage, AK
22
I love Trump. He’s going to do a lot of great things, he’s a businessman. He’s not exactly what you might call a politician and that’s what the country needs right now. I’m really excited to see what the future has in store.
He’s going to do a lot of different things that we’ve needed in the last eight years. The country has been really divided for the past eight years. I think he’s going to unite us. I want ISIS to end and I just want everyone to be happy.
Gillian Fahy
Long Valley, NJ
23
I voted for Barack Obama in 2012, but I supported Trump this time, mostly because I didn’t want Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president. I think she’s disgraceful and has done so many criminal things. I couldn’t see her as the first woman president.
I also feel there are a lot of issues with safety, and I think that Trump is going to be a stronger force against ISIS. I have a lot of family in the military and my dad is a police officer. I felt there was no respect on the Democratic side for military veterans, police officers and service men. Trump is a huge supporter of these people, and his support of all people will make America great again.
Sarah Lynch
Long Island, NY
21
I like to consider myself a Republican for certain beliefs. I’m pro-life, being a Catholic.
I actually didn’t vote for him because I don’t support the person he is, but I like what he stands for and I think he will make America great again. He has put smart people in his cabinet that will lead him to make good decisions. I believe that through God’s will he will make decisions for the good of humanity.
Tyler Rowson
Atlanta, GA
31
I think Trump will be a great president because he is a businessman and prioritizes making America strong again. He will be a great president for women, and I believe he supports women 100 percent. Just look at the group of powerful women behind him. I mean, his daughter Ivanka is incredible.
Trump was the only presidential candidate who has ever had a successful female campaign manager. Yes, there are those comments that he’s made that offended me and everyone else, but I think he overall is a great man and cares for women deeply.
Destinie Beach
Winchester, VA
21
I think if Trump succeeds at making America great again we’ll have more jobs and less people. He says he is going to get rid of the illegal immigrants. They honestly take over all the jobs, pay no taxes and are allowed to live with 20 people in a house at one time. That’s not right and it needs to change. Trump will change it.
Avalon Warren
Dallas, NC
17
I believe in conservative values. Trump is a businessman and will treat America like a successful business. He will do good things for our country.
I think making America great again means unifying our country and coming together as one. There has been a lot of division because of Barack Obama – he kind of stirred things up. Trump understands the people and believes we have the right to protest. He knows we have the right to free speech and we have the right to believe what we want.
Stavroula Horiates
Cherry Hill, NJ
19
The most important thing he can do to make America great again is to strengthen our border security. I’m Greek, and I know that bad things happen when you open your borders. Having stronger borders makes a country successful. That is something America needs to implement in order to make us great again.
Published in conjunction with 