Here’s what American students in NTU think about President Trump

By Jasmine Koh

President Trump faces the difficult task of uniting a nation divided by a fiercely fought election. GRAPHIC: TAN ZHUO HUI

America has decided: Republican nominee Donald Trump will be its next President.

Emerging as the winner of a fiercely-fought election, Mr Trump promised during his victory speech that he would be “a president for all Americans.”

“Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of decision,” Mr Trump said. “I say it’s time for us to come together as one united people.”

But while his opponent, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, has already congratulated him over the phone, Mr Trump faces the difficult task of uniting a deeply divided nation.

The Nanyang Chronicle spoke to American students currently here at NTU to find out what they think about their new commander-in-chief.

“I did not think that any living human being would think that Trump was good. It is not that Hillary is a gem, but I never thought it would be this way. I am very disappointed in America in general. I did not think that they were that stupid.”

Zachary Ip, 21
School of Biological Sciences, Year 4
From California

“Trump is what Americans need right now. I think that the economic policies in America will benefit, since Trump is a businessman. I had already expected him to win.”

Ben Hynes, 21 
Mechanical Engineering, Exchange Student, Year 3 
From California

“I do not think anyone really knows the true character of Trump, but what I do know is that he chose to run his campaigns on fear, untruths and racist language. We will get another chance in four years. It’s not the end of the world.”

Michael Kelly, 48
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Graduate Student
From South Carolina 

“Initially, the results would be shocking to many. But eventually, it will be a good thing. I say this because he was not a part of the political situation that America used to be a part of, so his governing may work. Once Trump learns the ropes of managing the country, he will be okay.”

John Nganga, 21
Mechanical Engineering, Exchange Student, Year 3
From Missouri

With additional reporting by Prisca Lim