Concern grows among Scotland's US students as Trump nears win

Attendees began the night optimistic about a Democratic win. Kamala Harris, a career barrister and the former attorney general of California, stepped in for incumbent Joe Biden just 104 days before the vote. 

Her ‘can do’ attitude and general enthusiasm revitalised party members, who were all too familiar with Biden’s doddering persona. 

At American flag-festooned Dropkick Murphys, many revellers took to the dance floor, where a live band played country and folk tunes.

Lily and Hannah, students from America, said they hoped Harris would win.

“We’ve already seen what Trump can do in four years. We don’t need another term,” Hannah said.

“Especially with reproductive rights and the economy, she just has a plan. He doesn't have a plan,” Lily added.

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Tyler, a student from Longview, Texas, said the country couldn’t handle four more years of Trump’s “self-congratulating nonsense.”

“He’s not a person who listens to other people, he listens to what his gut says. He has horrible stances on women and the future of the country, which he views as big business.”

“I don’t think he has a good sense of what the American people want or the American people need.”

Scots Angus and John also attended the event. Middle aged Angus said a Trump win would have wide implications for Europe. He noted: “I worry he will cosy up to Putin and allow him to expand further into Ukraine and not support them.”

John added: “No one can really say what Trump will do in the next minute, never mind the next day or the next month. Harris and the cabinet she’ll bring with her will be much more reliable.”

As the clock turned to midnight, the atmosphere grew tense as votes began to be counted in key states. 

Supporters loudly booed as former President Donald Trump banked electoral victories in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida.

But the mood lightened as Harris secured solid blue states like Vermont and Massachusetts. 

Yet, as attendees began to trickle out of the venue in the early morning hours, Trump appeared to have a decided advantage. 

Amin, from Germany, said: “We Europeans are more in favour of Kamala, but right now it seems like Trump is going to win.”

Dylan Tierney added: “I have a sneaking suspicion Mr Trump will win.

“The amount of videos I've seen on Instagram and Tiktok, at least in Scotland, suggests he's very popular.”

George, an Austrian student, noted: “I think it's going to be a very close election. I think Pennsylvania, Michigan, and a few other swing states are very important.”

Gunther, who wore a MAGA hat and Trump-Vance t-shirt, added: “It is looking good for him, but time will tell. I think the momentum is on Trump’s side.”

However, some attendees continued to hold out hope that Kamala Harris would win the election.

Jake said: “I think Kamala will win because Trump’s voters are mostly young men, who are less activated to vote.”

Alex, an American student from Connecticut, added: “I think there's a red mirage, but I think Harris is going to pull through.

Some still held out hope for a Kamala Harris win (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco)

“I think she's going to get it but if she doesn't it's going to be a dark day for democracy, and a dark day for the US.”

Asked if she thought the night had gone well, one Harris supporter simply said: “If it did, would I still be here, drinking?”

As of 6 AM, millions of votes are still to be counted. 

Yet, according to the New York Times, Trump is “likely” to assume the presidency. His gains among rural voters in key states appear to be large enough to overcome Harris’s support in urban and suburban areas. 

Harris's sole path to victory requires her to secure the so-called “blue wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. 

Right now, the odds are not in her favour, with Trump leading in all three states.

A second Trump presidency, just four years after he attempted to subvert the processes of American democracy, would be unprecedented to say the least.

Yet, it wouldn't be surprising. Biden is an unpopular incumbent who held onto power for far too long, and was succeeded by a handpicked substitute at the last minute.

Throw in rising prices and an increase in illegal migration, and it's no surprise the Democrats appear to have faltered.

They have no one to blame but themselves.