The election results are clear: Donald Trump won the presidency, Republicans held the Senate, and they might keep the House. I voted for Kamala Harris and Democrats across the ballot, so this wasn’t my preferred outcome. But I get why most Americans made this choice. In this post, I’ll break down the key reasons that resonated deeply with voters — and why, at one point, I nearly considered voting Republican myself.
Why I Nearly Voted Republican
Before Biden stepped down, I was genuinely on the verge of voting Republican. Had Trump not been the candidate, I’m almost certain I would have. Here’s what drove me — and likely many others — toward the Republican ticket.
1. Ideology Overload
I respect individual freedom and people’s right to choose their gender, religion, race — you name it. But respect goes both ways. Supporting individual choice shouldn’t mean pushing ideology onto those who may not agree. Take Pride Month, for example. Imagine if there were a “Straight Catholic Month” everywhere — in stores, on TV screens, in schools. For many people, an over-saturation of any agenda starts to feel intrusive, and that’s exactly how I feel about Pride Month. It’s not about disrespect; it’s about wanting the choice to live without a constant push toward a specific narrative. People don’t want to impose their beliefs on others, and they don’t want others’ beliefs imposed on them.
2. Men Feeling Pushed Away
I’m pro-woman. I have a wife and daughter, and I want the world for them. I was ready for a female president. But at times, it felt like Democrats were saying that simply being a man made me part of the problem. The message was relentless: Trump (and men by association) were painted as what’s “wrong,” while Kamala represented what’s “right.” For men across racial groups — white, Black, and Hispanic alike — this message felt exclusionary. I also noticed a strong pro-choice focus in the Democrats’ messaging, which I support, but it often came across as sidelining pro-family views, a stance that many family men felt was essential.
3. Concerns Over Crime and Law Enforcement
The Democrats’ softer approach on crime makes a lot of people uneasy, myself included. Sure, it’s ironic to talk about Trump as the “law and order” choice given his own issues, but many Americans still see Republicans as tougher on crime. People want accountability and support for police to enforce the law. For example, in California, voters who backed Kamala also voted to roll back several “soft on crime” laws. People want to feel secure, and for many, Democrats failed to provide reassurance on this front.
4. Immigration Policy
As a legal immigrant, I know firsthand the effort, time, and money it takes to come here the right way. But an open-border approach isn’t realistic. The Democrats’ handling of immigration often felt vague, without concrete policies or enforcement. Most people — including immigrants who respected the process — want secure borders and straightforward rules. Democrats seemed reluctant to confront these issues head-on, and that lack of accountability made it hard to trust they’d handle things differently this time.
5. Authenticity Matters, Vibes matter
Like it or not, Trump is who he is — unfiltered and raw. For many, that’s a refreshing change from polished, rehearsed candidates. People vote with their gut, and Trump’s unpolished style felt authentic to a lot of voters, while Kamala sometimes came across as scripted. People don’t just vote on policy; they vote on 'vibes', too. Millions of people, despite all of Trumps faults still favored his 'vibe' over Kamala's. I bet the campaign is now deeply regretting her not going to the Joe Rogan podcast.
Why We Can’t Ignore These Issues
If you’re still scratching your head about why most Americans chose Trump, maybe it’s time to take a closer look. There isn’t one reason; there are multiple: ideological pressure, concerns over crime, immigration, and a desire for authenticity. Writing off these voters as “misinformed” or “dumb” doesn’t help anyone. Real change begins by understanding why people feel the way they do.
If we want to move forward, we can’t just dismiss these concerns. Millions of Americans resonate with these issues, and addressing them is the only way to steer the country in a direction we can all support.
Comments