As we prepare for another Trump presidency, I’ve heard many of the same fears I did back in 2016. Many of my friends and family worry deeply about their futures—whether it’s immigration, the economy, gay rights, or even the possibility of a new war. I understand these concerns, and I understand why people feel unsettled. I, like every American, am always concerned when a new president takes office and hope that they will make America more free and prosperous for my family.
At the end of the day, Americans are resilient. We are patriotic. We are hard working. We just want a fair shot at achieving the American Dream. Our differences should not divide us.
But after living through the last Trump administration, I believe the most important message I can share is this – everything is going to be more than okay.
In 2016, many people feared that President Trump’s policies would bring hardship to minority communities, especially immigrants. But the actual record shows that many of these concerns were unfounded. For example, President Trump supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections even while advocating for border security. It was a proposal that was rejected by Democrats but which could have put the issue of immigration to bed for a generation.
I’m confident that President Trump will seek to make a fair deal that will protect the safety and security of Americans while also ensuring that justice is made for those immigrants who want to become American citizens.
Economic concerns were another significant source of fear. Some Americans were worried we’d see a downturn or even a repeat of the 2008 recession. Yet, Trump’s economic policies led to a remarkably strong economy before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tax reforms passed in 2017, which included lowering the corporate tax rate and doubling the standard deduction for individuals, benefited millions of working Americans and middle-class families. I still remember when I saw that my paycheck had grown when those tax cuts took effect. And by 2019, unemployment had reached a 50-year low, wages had grown, and Black unemployment rates had fallen to historic lows.
My hope is that President Trump’s policies can bring down mortgage rates, which are currently hovering at around 6.5%, so that more young Americans can buy their first home.
For those concerned about social policies, like my friends from the gay community, the Trump administration’s record was more moderate than many feared. In fact, President Trump appointed Richard Grenell the very first openly-gay person to a cabinet level position. President Trump also launched a global effort to end the criminalization of homosexuality.
One of the biggest fears during Trump’s first term was that his rhetoric would lead to an all out war. But instead of escalating, Trump’s approach led to diplomatic breakthroughs.
I had a libertarian friend, who in 2016, was certain that World War III would soon break out starting with North Korea. But a few years later, he shed a tear when President Trump stepped into North Korea with their leader Kim Jong-un. President Trump showed us that he is willing to engage with difficult leaders and open doors to reduce nuclear tensions. While North Korea remains a complex issue, Trump’s actions showed that engagement and diplomacy were possible without armed conflict.
Of course, not every policy or decision was perfect. It’s easy to point to an administration’s failures, every president has their fair share of scandals, without exception. But it’s crucial to look at the real impact and avoid letting fear override facts. We have an opportunity now, instead of panicking, to focus on the future.
President Trump made promises on the campaign trail. Among these were to bring down inflation, combat violent crime, secure the border, and protect the free speech and religious rights of all Americans. The best thing we can do is to hold him accountable, encouraging him to build on the areas where he made real progress and to improve on the issues where he fell short.
At the end of the day, Americans are resilient. We are patriotic. We are hard working. We just want a fair shot at achieving the American Dream. Our differences should not divide us. We are more united than the legacy media would have you believe. A new administration offers an opportunity for growth, debate, and progress. We’ve lived through a Trump presidency before, and not only was everything ok, it was far better than it is today.
I am hopeful that we will see a similar result this time around if we all remain engaged and work towards a future where every American feels heard and supported.
