Montrealers, international visitors react to Trump winning U.S. election

Republican Donald Trump was elected as the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday.

Trump cleared the required 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency after claiming Wisconsin.

Vice-president Kamala Harris trailed throughout the night in the electoral college and popular vote.

Here’s what Montrealers and those visiting told CityNews about the new president elect.

Gabriel, Montrealer

What are your thoughts about Trump winning?

“I’m very disappointed. … I thought that Harris should win that. She’s a better person. I would say she’s so sophisticated, so educated. I am really upset how the people elect this now.”

How do you think this will affect Canada overall, especially with immigration?

“Canada has a much better relationship when it comes to Liberals and Democrats. Their views of Canada are much better than the Republicans. Well, it’s still there. Americans immigrate to Canada, Canadians immigrate to the States. But I think Trump might give us some problems. He’s a troubled man. To be honest, I mean, he’s been there for four years. What did he do? Nothing. In my opinion.”

Samuel, Montrealer

What are your thoughts about Trump winning?

“I’m thankful that Donald Trump won. And there was close call, but I always knew Donald Trump would win.”

How do you think this will affect Canada overall, especially with immigration?

“I think it will greatly impact our economy, especially with oil and everything. But I think it will have a negative impact on Canada. I don’t know. He’s more conservative. He wants everything to be in his own country, like everything made in America. So, I don’t think it will be favourable for the exchange between our countries. I’m happy for them. But personally, I don’t think it will have a good impact on us. But I love the guy. He’s entertaining. But economically speaking, I don’t think it’s a good thing.”

James and Annette, Canadians

What are your thoughts about Trump winning?

“I know I saw that, that was crazy. To be honest, American politics are more of entertainment for me. It’s like I’m watching SNL. It’s honestly kind of a joke. I’m not surprised Trump won, but I’m team Kamala. In general, well, I only paid attention to the one where he was talking about how they’re eating dogs. And he was kind of crazy. … I feel like Kamala, her campaign was too geared towards the young voters where people were probably getting the ick and cringe to this kind of thing.”

“Yeah, I was really hoping that Kamala would win this election even though I think in the back of my mind that I knew that Trump was going to pass. But it’s really sad. But she did a good job with her campaign. It’s just a lot of the points that he would talk about didn’t make sense and he wasn’t really taking it seriously. I feel like there’s so many problems in the U.S. regarding abortion, homelessness, police brutality. And it’s things that he should take in fact, but he doesn’t. He prefers to joke around about people eating cats and dogs, and to me, it shows how he cares about American people. I feel like a lot of the things that Kamala did during her campaign made her look less serious. She was so focused on getting young people to vote and getting the most votes possible from Gen Z that they kind of turn it into entertainment.”

How do you think this will affect Canada overall, especially with immigration?

“Oh, probably yeah, 1,000 per cent because they’re all going to come here. I don’t know, I’m not educated on American politics. Again, it’s like entertainment but from what I’ve heard him say regarding immigration, he’s very against it in America. So, we do accept a lot of immigrants here and I feel like they will be coming here.”

“I feel like not necessarily because I feel like Canada as well is trying to slow down on immigration. So, are they necessarily going to come to Canada? I don’t think so, but I feel like definitely maybe some people are going to move away. Or it’s just going to be less easy to go in the U.S.”

Ahmed, Visitor from Algeria

What are your thoughts about Trump winning?

“I don’t know which is better for U.S. Trump, he was already the president before. Now, if he makes some updates, hopefully it will be a positive thing, it will be better. Hopefully, yeah.”

Kane, Montrealer

What are your thoughts about Trump winning?

“Well, I think that it’s going to be quite an entertaining time for the next four years, if nothing else. You know, obviously here in Montreal, we’re not directly affected by it, but you know, it’s quite pertinent to all of us. I’m sure all of us here too are watching and excited and everything, but it’s that, I just thought, you know, if nothing else it’s going to be entertaining to see and I hope that everyone makes it out OK.”

How do you think this will affect Canada overall, especially with immigration?

“Yeah, it’ll definitely affect us. I think that that part is not really a question. You know, it’s unfortunate too because I’m not super, I’m not as well informed as I should be, right? So, I can’t say with the good faith that I know, but I just know that they’re our biggest trade partner so if anything, we’re going to feel a difference, at least from the last four years. So yeah, I hope everyone makes it out OK and we’re going to strap in and see what happens. I don’t think there’s going to be a mass influx of immigration. I mean, everyone says that every election year, even before, you know, 2016 when it was first heard, and everyone always says it. I can’t say I necessarily blame a lot of people for thinking about it, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. So, I think it’s going to be a tough adjustment, but I’m pretty sure we’ll make it out.”

Ali, visitor from West Africa

What are your thoughts about Trump winning?

“I’m a bit disappointed because I thought that Kamala would be elected because I don’t know what Trump will bring to not only the U.S. but the entire world. I’m a bit anxious to be honest with you. Let’s see how it goes. I just needed a break from politics and all. I didn’t even watch the news. I didn’t listen to the news today. I decided to just take a breath. I really don’t know what to think about it. I’m still processing.”

How do you think this will affect Canada overall, especially with immigration?

“Let’s see. I hope that we’ll be surprised positively. It’s not about Canada only. It’s about the entire world. We have some wars in Ukraine, in Gaza and everywhere. We don’t really know what we’ll do because it’s so unpredictable. That’s the thing. I have no idea of what will happen. The uncertainty is what really makes me anxious about the future. But I really hope that we try to change that. The system will be there to stop him if he wants to do anything that would be dangerous for all of us. I’m a bit speechless. I don’t know what to say. Let’s see how it goes with time. It’s too soon, but it’s unexpected. I’m very surprised that on Nov. 6, Trump is back in office.”