‘I was expecting more people to try and rein in the craziness, but it didn’t happen.’

Ronald Wielebski, 21, is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater majoring in cybersecurity. He is still processing the early stages of the new Trump administration, but he is not letting the new administration’s actions define how he and his friends live their lives. Stephen Wielebski: How has the new presidential administration affected your everyday […]

‘The new administration seems to be throwing a wrench into how the entire country and the rest of the world functions.’

Senior Owen Saiia is an urban planning major at UW-Milwaukee.  He intends to start graduate school in the fall, and wants to pursue a career in construction management or as a real estate development planner. Owen expressed his thoughts on the new political administration and how it is affecting the lives of citizens in America. […]

‘For the first time, I felt genuine fear of my family being taken away from me.’

Manuel Cuevas-Silva is the child of immigrants who has lived in Milwaukee his whole life and is studying film at UWM. His family history and his upbringing in Milwaukee have shaped his political views. Aj Dagnon: Have your anxieties surrounding yourself and your family increased in the wake of the new administration? Manuel Cuevas-Silva: Definitely, […]

‘I worry about whether I will even have a future as a teacher.’

Lauren Tracy, a 21-year-old junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is passionate about education and politically engaged in shaping the country’s future. Pursuing a double major in elementary and middle school education with concentrations in science and American Sign Language, she aspires to become a teacher. However, with the results of the 2024 election, she […]

‘I think it definitely has put a bad narrative on Christianity.’

Ana Cosme, 19, is a freshman majoring in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, she has witnessed the rise of racism in the aftermath of the new Trump inauguration. She reflects on her family and her faith during this new political era. What would you say your reaction […]

‘Students feel that the issues they care about are left out of government.’

Caleb Rose, 21, is a senior majoring in journalism and media studies at UW-Milwaukee. Rose has interned for NBC News and WisPolitics, covering the 2024 presidential election cycle. As a young journalist about to graduate and enter the field, Rose has concerns about freedom of the press in the current political climate. Ethan Ainley: What […]

‘I just want public schooling to stay kind of conservative and pure because I have little girls.’

Cameron Finney, 28, has a full-time job creating TikTok content and is raising two daughters with her husband. In the 2024 presidential election, Finney voted for President Donald Trump, citing her conservative values and the best interests of her daughters. Dorothy Carpenter: Why did you vote for President Trump in the 2024 election? Cameron Finney: […]

‘Change happens. You won’t always like the people who are in power.’

Akira Quinn is a 22-year-old junior who attends UW-Milwaukee. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies, with a concentration in Journalism. Her experience in the aftermath of the election was a unique one. Lasierra Flowers: Since the elections, how are you now? Akira Quinn: So far, I’m doing great. […]

‘I’m looking at 2026 midterms at a litmus test for oligarchy as a fundamental thing.’

Tony Mensah is a community resource advocate and American University graduate with a degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications. He and Charles Butler met for brunch at a local Black-owned cafe and talked about Mensah’s feelings following the 2024 election, his anxieties and hopes under the new administration and how the election has impacted […]