It’s Been a Year Since the Election—What Did It Motivate You to Do?

We want to hear your stories about life after Nov. 8, 2016.

Denisfilm/iStock/Getty

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

Trump made me do it. 

On the night of Nov. 8, 2016, when it became clear that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was going to win the presidency, I felt this need to do something—take some kind of action to combat the collective numbness that was unfolding around me. I took a break from the makeshift “war room” my newsroom had erected and took a walk. That was just the first step.

Once the initial feelings of surprise wore off, it seemed like everyone I knew did something they wouldn’t have otherwise done if Hillary Clinton had won that night. One colleague told me he immediately subscribed to National Review so he could gain some insight into what conservatives were thinking. Another coworker “finally subscribed to the New York Times.” Friends on Facebook announced that they were donating to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. And me? I clicked on over to The News Literacy Project and inquired about volunteering. 

So, now a year later, our question for you is: What did you do after the election? Is it something you kept doing throughout the year? Or maybe you didn’t do anything at all—and if so, why? 

Mother Jones reporter Kanyakrit Vongkiatkajorn and I want to start collecting your stories. We may follow up with you to find out more about how the election affected you and what it inspired you to do—or not do. Share your stories here.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨












We may share your message with our reporters. By providing your email address, you agree to let us contact you regarding your response. We respect your privacy and will not use your email address for any other purpose.

We don't answer to billionaires. We answer to you.

You've watched it happen in real time: corporate media cutting staff, killing stories, and bending to power. The giants of American media have owners to protect, and the truth pays the price.

None of it should surprise us. The problem with American journalism has always been that we entrusted this vital public service to for-profit companies whose allegiance could shift with the political winds and the bottom line.

That is why Mother Jones is independent from billionaires, corporations, and any other deep-pockets owner—and has been since we were founded 50 years ago. We’re only answering to our readers. To you.

We’re funded by our readers too. This week, we have a generous $50,000 match for all donations, meaning that your donation—and your impact—will be doubled. Gifts from readers like you help keep us fiercely independent and telling the truth about those in power.

We don't answer to billionaires. We answer to you.

You've watched it happen in real time: corporate media cutting staff, killing stories, and bending to power. The giants of American media have owners to protect, and the truth pays the price.

None of it should surprise us. The problem with American journalism has always been that we entrusted this vital public service to for-profit companies whose allegiance could shift with the political winds and the bottom line.

That is why Mother Jones is independent from billionaires, corporations, and any other deep-pockets owner—and has been since we were founded 50 years ago. We’re only answering to our readers. To you.

We’re funded by our readers too. This week, we have a generous $50,000 match for all donations, meaning that your donation—and your impact—will be doubled. Gifts from readers like you help keep us fiercely independent and telling the truth about those in power.

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate