Eight years ago, Donald Trump’s supporters woke to a stunning victory; this time, his supporters found themselves in something closer to disbelief.
On Election Day 2024, President-elect Trump’s overwhelming win came as a shock, especially as many had braced for a Democratic victory.
In 2016, Trump’s win was razor-thin. This year, despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds—fallout from the January 6 Capitol riot, multiple felony charges, assassination attempts, and a last-minute change in his opponent—Trump managed to trounce his opponents, defying predictions that leaned toward a Democratic win.
Online, a mix of disbelief and euphoria dominated forums. One user on Patriots.win joked about “rethinking my whole life” after expecting a loss, posting a Pepe the Frog meme deep in thought.
Others shared relief: “Feel a huge weight lifted,” one wrote, admitting they’d stayed up most of the night dreading another loss.
For many Trump supporters, the joy of this victory was underscored by months of pessimism.
In a place known for grim outlooks, celebratory messages of “Good Morning From a Surprised Doomer” were echoed by posters thrilled by a brighter political dawn. “Never doom again with Jesus in your heart!” responded one user.
Some, however, expressed frustration at the pessimism they’d seen on the forums all season.
“I wish I could updoot this post more than once! No more DOOMING!” wrote one user, calling out the doubters. But a few defended the skepticism, arguing it motivated everyone to stay vigilant and work harder.
While Trump’s victory brought temporary relief, many on the forums warned against complacency.
“It’s a never-ending fight,” read one post, urging others to keep the victory short-lived and prepare for challenges to come. As one commenter put it, “I’m not unclenching until 1/20 and he’s in the White House.”
In the meantime, the mood was buoyant: “Operation Feel Good is a go … Let’s never give up again.”
