17 Americans Were Asked What They Don't Believe In Anymore After The Election, And They Have A Lot To Say
Since it was announced that former president Donald Trump won the 2024 US election last night, people on the internet have been sharing their thoughts and feelings about the news. So when Reddit user Lilyana0999 asked: "What is one thing you no longer believe in?" after the election, people had a lot to say. Here are some of their answers below.
1."I'm starting to lose the belief that people generally do what they consider to be the right thing. I've always felt that even if someone's beliefs may be abhorrent to me, they were at least acting in what they considered to be good faith. But at this point, I'm starting to think that there are a very large number of people who value the feeling they get from hurting other people or seeing them suffer more than the concepts of right/wrong."
2."America."
"Global relations are about to get really fucked up. I think everyone will be worse off.
Climate change policies will probably grind to a halt everywhere, and NATO will be as weak as ever before.
We are completely fucked. My doomer mindset has never been this bad. Is there really anything positive to consider in global politics at the moment?"
3."People, justice, and common sense."
4."That facts matter; narrative is more important."
"This isn’t talked about nearly enough, and it’s massive. It’s MASSIVELY important and explains so damn much. Large, large amounts of people care about narrative, not fact."
5."Right now? On election night? I've stopped believing in America. The dream of America that was drilled into me as a child of the '70s and '80s. That all people actually had an equal voice. That justice ruled the land, and we were the UNITED States. That's all gone. It's every man for himself and 'fuck you, I've got mine.' Maybe my blinders are finally off. Maybe it's always been that way. In any case, my belief in the 'Shining City on the Hill' is dead. It's all over, and I will mourn its loss."
6."People's ability to find common ground. I want the best for my fellow humans, and if they feel the same, then we can move forward."
7."Hope for the future."
"Yup. I have young kids and am not optimistic of the future they'll be left with. Humanity is doomed."
8."The belief that people can influence others. I've learned that people must want to improve themselves; you cannot do it for them."
"I like the saying, 'It’s hard to change yourself, and even harder to change others' since it’s a reminder that the most direct way I can improve the world is to be a good example of a decent and compassionate person."
9."I no longer believe in the idea that 'everything happens for a reason.' Sometimes, things just happen — random, unplanned, and without deeper meaning. I've found it more comforting to focus on making the best of what life throws my way rather than trying to search for some cosmic justification behind every tough moment. Sometimes, life is chaotic and unpredictable, and that’s okay. It’s what we do with it that matters most."
10."Karma. Bad people do bad things and get away with it."
11."I no longer believe that integrity matters, or that laws have meaning, or that the truth is important."
12."The intelligence of the average American voter."
"The thing that disappoints me is the level of apathy from all those who didn't vote."
13."That people are inherently kind because if they were, America wouldn’t have voted for a fascist felon."
14."That hard work alone ensures success. I've seen too many cases when the appropriate timing and connectivity are required."
15."That my country spending money on climate change mitigation makes any sense at all now that the USA just decided for all earthlings that those efforts would be meaningless."
16."The thought of 'I am a good person, and good things will happen to me.' Life's unfair."
17."The future of the US."
Is there something you no longer believe in after the election? Tell us your thoughts (or your feelings about the election in general) in the comments below.
Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
