2016 was one of the most divisive election years in American history, and also the one most impacted by social media to date. In the end, the next U.S. president is the one who began his campaign with the biggest Twitter following, however many have used the platform to express their contempt for the president-elect. #NotMyPresident was trending on Twitter for day’s after Trump’s election, and Americans used the hashtag both to protest Trump and to combat the protests.
A few depicted scenes of protest
I just got CHILLS…kids leave school in DC to do #TrumpProtest and they are filling Penn Ave #dcpswalkout #NotMyPresident pic.twitter.com/cXfCge1OK2
— GirlsReallyRule-Grr (@girlsreallyrule) November 15, 2016
"Love Trumps Hate" Happening now in Clinton, NY. #NotMyPresident Peaceful Protest Rally #StopTheHate #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/mjwPMUZlu8
— Ron Klopfanstein (@RonKlopfanstein) November 15, 2016
Including this particularly poignant sign
"Maybe we should add pumpkin spice to racism so white women will care" #notmypresident https://t.co/uooMdPyeot pic.twitter.com/crLNmyxMiO
— Eric Grant (@ericgrant) November 14, 2016
Others used Twitter as a platform for personal protest
I repudiated #Trump during the campaign for his bigotry, sexism, etc. I'm not going to accept him because he was elected. #NotMyPresident
— Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) November 15, 2016
Protestors aren't claiming the election was illegitimate. They're protesting over who #DonaldTrump is and all he represents. #NotMyPresident
— James F. Haning II (@jameshaning) November 14, 2016
Not all Trump supporters are racist. However, all of them decided that racism isn't a deal breaker. #NotMyPresident #ImWithHer
— Tim Hess (@EsKaLiDiNg) November 15, 2016
Trump supporters had various reactions to the protests around the country
#NotMyPresident–And you are NOT my voice–both candidates knew the rules and have accepted the outcome–you should, too. Rise above this.
— Robert Duplease (@duplease_robert) November 15, 2016
NOT. MY. PRESIDENT.#NotMyPresident #PresidentTrump #TrumpRiots #MAGA pic.twitter.com/lfXzcMwxFg
— Lori Hendry (@Lrihendry) November 15, 2016
Common thread among coalition of #NotMyPresident protesters: they are either rich white kids or descendants of illegal immigrants mostly.
— Hector Morenco (@hectormorenco) November 14, 2016
Rioters act like #trump is going to change his mind and say, "lol welp, I guess I won't be president anymore."#trumpriot #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/zl4AhGIwJD
— Kathy Zhu (@PoliticalKathy) November 14, 2016
This election has shown how divided we are, especially in social media. One of my personal hopes for the Trump administration is that social platforms will become less sheltered and different opinions will be expressed peacefully.