Twitter users come to terms with the election #TheMorningAfter
In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory speech Wednesday morning, Twitter stood divided. In a hall-of-mirrors world where social media reflects a polarized America, dueling hashtags — #ImStillWithHer and #NotMyPresident for Clinton supporters; #MAGA for Trump fans — trended for hours among very different populations of Twitter users.
Then, something happened on the social media platform that neither candidate could achieve with a single political message, despite months and months of campaigning. Twitter nation rallied behind a single hashtag: #TheMorningAfter.
It was not so much political as it was factual... something Trump supporters and Clinton supporters, Americans and foreigners alike, could tailor to their own sentiments.
Clinton supporters utilized the hashtag to articulate their feelings in the sobering aftermath of Trump’s win...
I feel like The Joker was just elected Mayor of Gotham. #TheMorningAfter
— Lucas Flanagan (@lucas_flanagan) November 9, 2016
Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by the American people 🖑 #themorningafter #election #stillwithher
— Helena Rose (@HelenabadgerDGF) November 9, 2016
Is it too late to call in to work for a bereavement day? I am mourning the death of my faith in America #ElectionNight #themorningafter
— ibuybadhouses.com (@ibuybadhouses) November 9, 2016
Worst day in America
— BensonDunhamPope (@BensonDPope) November 9, 2016
9/11
2nd worst day
11/9#themorningafter
Good morning, I had the worst dream last nigh... What do you mean it wasn't a dream! #Elections2016 #TheMorningAfter pic.twitter.com/iBg76bHYz7
— Barry Keegan (@Barry_Keegan) November 9, 2016
Never willing to be outdone...#themorningafter pic.twitter.com/zDtNnAnkPU
— Amy O'Brien (@DeaconBlues16) November 9, 2016
On the other hand, Trump supporters utilized the hashtag as a sort of nail-in-the-coffin “I told you so.”
Sounds like the electoral college is the only thing preventing CA & NY from running our country. #themorningafter
— Jeff (@Jeff_Hybiak) November 9, 2016
I see many people are having a plate of crow this morning. #themorningafter
— Allison Reece (@AllisonReeceART) November 9, 2016
Is that rain or the tears of millions of Hillary supporters? #USElection2016 #themorningafter
— Amber Mace (@ambermmace) November 9, 2016
God heard the millions of prayers.
— Deplorable Jim (@SaveUSA1776) November 9, 2016
To the millions who prayed, "Thank You"
President-elect Trump#themorningafter
How Trump Won pic.twitter.com/w9joRgezJ8
The American people spoke loud and clear last night. Our #2A rights are not for sale! #themorningafter pic.twitter.com/JwHNClmcAy
— NRA (@NRA) November 9, 2016
Good morning Americans,
— Voice of Europe (@V_of_Europe) November 9, 2016
The future looks bright. #TheMorningAfter pic.twitter.com/OY7OLela5Y
Still other Twitter users brushed off the stress of election night and picked themselves up by utilizing the hashtag to focus on other things...
Lots of change coming, either embrace it or be engulfed by it... #themorningafter
— Kris (@twinks1886) November 9, 2016
One thing to celebrate: historic wins of @PramilaJayapal & @Ilha. Two smart, dedicated women who will make things better #TheMorningAfter
— Neena Prasad (@Neena_P) November 9, 2016
Well. The sun still came up this morning. So, you know, there's that. #TheMorningAfter
— Julie Weisberg (@JulieWeisberg) November 9, 2016
If the viral hashtag #TheMorningAfter has a lesson for us, perhaps it’s that success occurs — on social media or otherwise — when people unite behind a common cause. What remains to be seen is whether any issue — or any president, for that matter — will be able to do that as successfully as a hashtag.