WEB EXCLUSIVE

The stunning nature of Trump’s victory, along with negative baggage carried over from his campaign, has rendered many Americans unwilling to support President-elect Trump, and even more Americans nervous about his impending Presidency. On the night after the election, protests against Trump were held throughout the U.S. in seven different major cities.

His remarkable 500-plus day journey resulted in Trump defying all odds (and polling) and winning the presidency by winning several key swing/traditionally democratic states such as Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania–all of which voted for President Obama in both 2008 and 2012. This represents a shift in voter attitudes that is changing the nation.

President-elect Trump will take office with both chambers of Congress, the House and the Senate, in Republican control, along with the majority of the nation’s governorships being Republican as well. Issues such as Obamacare, illegal immigration, ISIS, the economy, and much more will all dominate the headlines beginning on inauguration day, with commentary from both the left and the right.

In Oviedo Journalism’s opinion, after such a long and divisive campaign season, it’s time for us all to come together as a nation and look forward in a positive manner towards Trump’s presidency. Regardless of whether you supported Trump prior to Election Night, he will be our next President. Hillary Clinton said in her concession speech that, “Donald Trump is going to be our President. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”

Giving President-elect Trump an open mind and the chance to lead, as Clinton puts it, is, in our view, the right kind of spirit to have as we enter 2017. We should all give Trump the chance to succeed as he takes over the incredible responsibility as the new leader of the free world, and judge his presidency by what he  accomplishes. The Trump presidency is currently a blank slate, a blank slate for which Trump has promised his priority will be on helping each and every one of us, the American people, to succeed.

The least we can do is give him a shot, so let’s enter the Trump presidency with an open mind and a positive attitude–as a nation. Let’s allow the man, the man that over 59 million Americans voted for, the chance at being successful.