Trump won. How does that help the kids?

On November 5, I didn’t vote for Kamala Harris. I voted for the kids. No, I don’t have kids—I’m a 65-year-old lesbian dog mom. I didn’t vote for my brothers and sisters’ kids because they’re old enough to vote for themselves, and I hope they took the time to research what was best for their kids. I voted for the kids who couldn’t vote.

Donald Trump may have won the popular vote this time, but 73.6 million kids didn’t get to vote. Millions of people either didn’t vote (approximately 40% of eligible Americans do not vote) or couldn’t vote due to their immigration status (22 million) or state rules against felons voting (4.4 million). I’ve heard people say they voted for Trump because he’s going to keep trans kids out of women’s sports, keep LGBTQ+ folks and immigrants away from their kids, and keep books that tell the truth about our country’s history, including slavery and the marginalization of communities, away from their kids. Okay, so what are his plans to help the kids?

No, I didn’t vote for Donald Trump. I voted ?? up and down my ballot because I voted for the kids. When the election results were announced, America's top 10 richest men, especially Elon Musk, got much richer. How did that help the kids?

Speaking of Elon Musk, this is the guy they will put in charge of running the government. He’s already been on phone calls with the president-elect and foreign leaders and Trump's term has not started. He said we’re going to have a temporary hardship, that it’s going to be hard for people because they are going to burn it down so they can build it up, and it’s going to be awesome. I have three questions: What is temporary? What is the hardship? And how does this help the kids?

Trump is already making plans for the denaturalization of citizens and the deportation of immigrants. This will cause families to be separated, kids to go into foster care, and employers to lose workers who do the jobs that put products and food on our tables. How does that help the kids?

On day one, Trump said he is going to outlaw transgender folks from participating in kids’ sports. 520,000 athletes are competing at the collegiate level; of those, only 100 are transgender. How does this help your child when they come to you and tell you they are transgender, nonbinary or queer? Don’t say it won’t happen to you because many parents have told me it happened to them or someone in their family.

Trump has already announced plans to eliminate the Department of Education, cut SNAP benefits, and continue banning books that seem too “woke” for them. Many say that folks should work for benefits and get a job, but sometimes having kids prevents that. That’s when things like SNAP benefits and childcare credits come in handy. How does having hungry kids at schools without books help them?

As for child care, at The Economic Club of New York , Trump gave a word salad response about tariffs to a question on childcare, which he says is not very important. When the tariffs increase the costs of a typical American household, how does it help the kids?

Let’s talk about those unborn kids. Many people tell me they voted for Trump because they are pro-life and for the unborn child and they want the states to rule on abortion. But what happens now? It depends on your ZIP code. The repercussions have killed not only women but also their kids. Now many women will not have the financial resources or health to carry a pregnancy to term. Add to that the lack of SNAP benefits or childcare, and living in healthcare, food, and housing deserts when they try to raise those kids. How does that help the kids?

What happens when your kid faces an unwanted pregnancy they can’t afford or isn’t right for their health? What will you tell your son who got a girl pregnant? How does restricting women’s healthcare and reproductive rights help the kids?

Trump’s agenda also aims to deregulate climate initiatives and auto emissions and distribute emergency funds only to states that are nice to him. California, a state that finances much of the country, has been told it will get restricted emergency relief if it’s not nice to Trump. When there are fires in Idaho, should Oregon and Washington not send help because Idaho is a red state? Should other states not help during hurricanes in Texas and Florida unless they’re nice to Trump? Climate change and natural disasters don’t care about ZIP codes. When your family’s house is wiped out by fire or flood, how does that help the kids?

What if you’re my age, with or without kids, and need long-term care or a place to live because you can’t afford it? How does the burden of your care help the kids?

Some voters said they couldn’t vote for Kamala Harris because of Gaza or other geopolitical issues. Again, how does this help the kids? We have a responsibility to the world, but world leaders aren’t thinking about the kids. If they were, then we would not have the child welfare crisis in these areas.

When your kids ask why you didn’t help, what will you tell them? It’s too late to take back your vote. If you didn’t vote because you didn’t like Kamala, Trump, or Biden, why didn’t you vote for your kids?

So, what can you do? First, look at your kids and tell them you’re sorry. Educate them on what’s important for their future. As the new administration and Republican party start implementing Project 2025, research exactly how each proposal will affect your kids. If you don’t like what you find out, then reach out to your local legislators, senators, governors, and representatives. Let them know you care about your kids and their future.

And for God’s sake, in two years, when the midterm elections come around, do your research and vote for the candidates whose policies and plans will help kids. Because if it is good enough for the kids, it will be good for you, too!