Couples Who Cannot Agree on Politics Break Up After the Election

It’s been just over a week since former president Donald Trump’s defeat Vice President Kamala Harris He will be the 47th president of the United States. This election undoubtedly exemplified the strife and disagreement of the nation as a whole. But for some people, it also showed a disconnect in their own romantic relationships. Yes, some couples discovered — or they could no longer ignore — that one would vote for Trump and the other would vote for Harris.

Accordingly The Washington Post’s exit pollsNationwide, 53 percent of women voted for Harris and 55 percent of men voted for Trump. Of course, this ignores some nuance, considering that only 45 percent of white women voted for Harris, whereas 91 percent of Black women and 60 percent of Hispanic and Latina women voted for Harris . Meanwhile, 77 percent of black men voted for Harris, while only 37 percent of white men and 43 percent of Hispanic and Latino men did.

social media, reddit with tiktokThe last few months have been filled with stories of individuals (mostly women) unsure of how to proceed with a partner who has decided to support Trump. Some vowed to “cancel” their husbands’ votes, while others ended relationships because of their partners’ support for Trump.

PS spoke to more than one person expressing their disappointment or not being able to continue a relationship because of this choice. As the polls were closing, a statement came from Harris voters who have a Trump supporter boyfriend. “It’s very challenging and definitely puts a new perspective on the relationship,” he said.

This feeling became even sharper after the election results became clear. “I felt such sadness in my heart today, but I broke up with my boyfriend over the phone because he voted for him,” another woman said. “I feel numb.”

In one case, we spoke in depth with a woman who was facing this challenging dynamic. Megan, 35, lives in Indiana, just outside Chicago. In the last elections, he voted for Harris and his 33-year-old partner voted for Trump. Megan spent 10 years with her partner but didn’t realize how different he and their political views were until the last election. Megan and I first spoke about this experience and its impact before election day and after the results were in, and they have since opened up about ending their relationship. Here’s his perspective, in his own words, as he told PS.

I voted for Harris because I want to be able to live as a woman in America. That’s the long and short of it. I want to know that I will not have another right taken away for the sake of calling out extremists. I want to go forward, not a century back. She voted for Trump because she believes women are not capable of taking on this type of role because they are “too emotional”; It’s funny when you consider how many tantrums Trump throws over nothing. He wants a “better America” ​​and doesn’t realize the damage Trump will do if he comes back to power. She listens to other ideas rather than formulating her own ideas beyond statements like “women are too emotional” and “abortion is wrong.”

It caused a split that is definitely not as bad as it was before. It started to deepen when Harris was announced as Biden’s replacement and continued to get worse. He can’t see a woman in that place of power and I can. It was hard for him not to have his own opinions, but instead to have nonsense from his wildly conservative friends.

This is a very divisive time for relationships if you are on the opposing political side. It’s one thing to differ on something like what to have for dinner. It’s one thing to have completely different views on important issues like women’s bodily autonomy, the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the genocide in Gaza.

Wednesday morning I was devastated. I almost didn’t go to work. I couldn’t believe it when he asked me why I was sad. “The right party won, that’s what matters,” he said.

The election results made me realize there was a fundamental divide in my relationship. There’s no such thing as “we can still be together” when you’re on opposing sides on human rights and moral issues. I can never say that my partner is a bad person, but I can say that we are fundamentally and diametrically different.

When I asked my partner what made him vote for someone – insert adjectives here – he asked me where there was any evidence of any of this. I was surprised. I could not believe the lack of awareness of the blatant racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia and homophobia this man was spreading on national television and social media. It was very ugly.

Again, there is disagreement about what to have for dinner, but you disagree when you believe it is acceptable to usurp people’s rights. Just say you don’t like women and move on.

We are so different and I couldn’t imagine moving forward or bringing a child into this world with someone who didn’t share the same values ​​as me.

Sarah Fielding PS is an acclaimed journalist with seven years of experience covering mental health, social issues, and technology for publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times, Insider, and Engadget. She is also the co-founder of Empire Coven, a space highlighting trailblazing women in the United States.