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Posts tagged as “Trump”

President Trump Addresses Congress and the Nation

By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer

President Trump’s official 2025 portrait
Image from whitehouse.gov

On March 4, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of congress in the Capitol Building. The speech started at 9:14. P.M. and the gathering resembled a pep rally with chants of “USA” coming from the Republican section of the room as the president appeared, exclaiming, “America is Back!”

The Democrats also showed camaraderie amongst themselves, with most of the women wearing shades of pink to express concern over the new administration’s policies concerning women. Many of the Democrats also held paddles bearing phrases like “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid,” and “Protect Veterans” in silent protest of the Trump Administration and its policies.  read more

Zelenskyy’s White House Visit in Context

By Holden Baird | Observer Contributor

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance clash with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during meeting in Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025.

You may have seen coverage of the recent meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which has since drawn intense reactions from both sides of the political aisle. The controversial meeting and the wider conflict between Ukraine and Russia encompass one of the most consequential of ongoing world affairs, and it could have significant future ramifications.

What is happening in Ukraine?

The Russo-Ukrainian War initially began in February of 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. At the time, Ukraine was experiencing intense political upheaval that resulted in the ousting of Viktor Yanukovych, their then pro-Russian president. Russia defended their action as one taken to support the region’s pro-Russia separatists; Western powers viewed the occupation as an effort to maintain Russia’s influence within the Ukrainian government. read more

(Archive November 2017) Opinions Revisited: Iheb Klai Interviews Professors on Their Past and Future Thoughts

Three MWCC professors, who provided their opinions to The Observer right after the Nov. 2016 elections, offer their opinions about how the presidency is going one year later. 

Professor James Korman has been practicing law in Massachusetts since 1992 and  is a Political Science professor: “In term of outcome, the president was unpredictable“

How do you feel after one year from the elections?

“The vision and the plans are not clear; I do not know what he is going to do. Replacing Obama care was totally unsuccessful. The Congress did not pass any major laws and that was due to the goals and objectives of the president. Also, the idea of immigration reform is not successful at all.” read more

(Archive November 2017) Dr. John Fielding’s Thoughts and Advice for Millennials One Year After the Election

By Kelly Cacciolfi | Assistant Editor

Doctor John Fielding, who teaches History and Human Resources Management at Mount Wachusett Community College, said his advice for Millennials would be basically the same advice he gave in the Observer last year right after the Presidential election. Fielding said, “in some situations, it has gotten worse, a year after the election.”  

Last year Fielding was quoted saying, “You should not attack a man (or woman), but attack the content of their argument: understand your opponent’s argument, as by doing so you will be better able to counter that argument. Bottom line to everyone, whether a young Democrat or Republican, don’t despair. There’s another election in four years. Stick by your principles and hone your argument and stay away from personal attacks. Live to fight another day. The country won’t disappear despite who is elected”.   read more

(Archive November 2017) Reflections

Professor Elmer Eubanks’ Thoughts About One Year After the Election

By Kelly Cacciolfi | Assistant Editor

One year later after the presidential election, Elmer Eubanks, Business Professor, said that “Trump was trying to keep up the election promise but I don’t think everyone thought he would do what he said since all candidates promise one thing and do another”. However, Eubanks said the Presidency overall “is in disarray”.   

Eubanks predicts that in the 2020 elections that “there is no good candidate on the democratic side so unless someone comes on the scene that can give Trump a run for his money we may end up with another 4 years of Trump. Would like to see Marco Rubio run but I don’t think he would challenge Trump”. read more

(Archive November 2017) 2016 Presidential Election: One Year Later – Candace Shivers’ Addresses

By Kelly Cacciolfi | Assistant Editor

Candace Shivers, Associate Professor of Sociology and Human Services reflects on her thoughts from the November 2016 issue of the Observer where she was quoted saying this about Trump “I’ll be honest. I’m not sure what he could have said that would have made me vote for him”.   

A year later nothing has changed in her thoughts of how she voted in last November’s election. Shivers said, “it has confirmed people’s angst about Trump”.  read more

(Archive November 2017) 2016 Presidential Election: One Year Later – Maldonado’s Take

By Kelly Cacciolfi | Assistant Editor

Geraldo “Jerry” Maldonado, MBA, Assistant Professor of Business said “I do believe that President Trump is working to fulfill all of his campaign promises. This is somewhat unusual. Most Presidents promise A, B, and C. They deliver B, Y, and Z” a year after the election. 

With it being a year after the election Maldonado said this about how he feels the presidency is going to date: “I think President Trump is doing well. Unemployment in 2009 was about 10% in the United States and 9% in Massachusetts. Today, the unemployment rate is below 5% and below 4%, respectively. In 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was about 6,600. Today, the DJIA is over 23,000. Consumer Confidence Index is also very high, along with the Business Confidence Index”. read more

(Archive December 2016) United We Stand

By Kelly Cacciolfi | Observer Contributor

United we stand, divided we fall. This is how I feel about what has transpired since this historical election. It’s my opinion that we need to raise our voices, let them be heard, and march in solidarity… peacefully. 

Our young children are watching every move, protest, and bad word said. This is not what I choose for my children. I believe we should rise together and make this a cry to our young adults and children to be the change.

I took part in the Post Election Dialog two days after the election in the North Café on the Gardner campus, where what was shared in the circle stayed in the circle. Thoughts that were expressed were ones of fear, anger, helplessness, and happiness. This is a wonderful safe place where on campus, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to come together and share their thoughts, feelings, and how they will pull through a tough time.  read more

(Archive December 2016) Post-Election

By Scott Mellecker | Observer Contributor

It was undoubtedly a heated election. Some people were surprised, and even more people were shocked. It didn’t matter who a person voted for, all were stunned to find out who the winner was.

The recent days following the election have been hectic. Some people are scared, others are protesting, and students are being handed teddy-bears to cuddle. There has never been so much up-heave over an election. 

The halls of Mount Wachusett Community College seemed grim. It didn’t seem as if your favorite candidate lost the election, but instead seemed like there was a massive terrorist attack that took out half the country. A look of sadness covered the faces of students at the school. read more

(Archive December 2016) How Mainstream Media Created the Silent Voter

By Rebekah Chiasson | Assistant Editor

Being a communication major and taking multiple journalism classes throughout the 2016 presidential election has been invigorating as well as infuriating. Watching the mainstream media I once aspired to be part of fail to expertly, fairly, and justly report the news on this election was heartbreaking. While learning how to avoid media bias in journalism class, myself and the nation watched national news leaders sway opinions and skew facts.

It culminated to news anchors from channels including CNN, MSNBC, and Fox being forced to admit, “We were wrong.” The day after the election, these networks asked, “Who is the ‘silent voter?’” Where did these Trump supporters come from because mainstream media was oblivious to their existence? The answer – Mainstream media created the silent voter. read more