As Americans wake up to a new world with another Donald Trump administration on the horizon, there is a lot of fear, anxiety, blame, and rage percolating through social media. Between those, however, are some small victories, compassion and motivation for those who desperately need it.
When Trump allegedly attempted to bribe Ukraine, Alexander Vindman was one of those who purportedly heard it on the call. He became one of the people who was willing to come forward and sound the alarm about that incident. As a result, he was sent out of the National Security Council back to the Army. Despite not being involved, Vindman's twin brother, Eugene, was also shoved out.
On Tuesday night, Eugene Vindman was elected to be a member of Congress.
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There were also several ballot measures that won on Tuesday, NBC News tracked.
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and New York all ensured that abortion was enshrined in the state laws. Nebraska did limit it at 12 weeks, however. Florida also had a so-called "fetal viability" mandate that would have limited abortions after a certain timeline. It did not pass.
Years ago, California passed a marriage equality restriction. That has now been repealed, making it legal in the state for same-sex couples to marry, even if the Supreme Court rolls back marriage equality.
Arizona struck down a law that would have allowed paying tipped workers less per hour than the minimum wage. Massachusetts also increased the tipped minimum wage. Missouri increased the minimum wage to $13.75 by 2025 and $15 by 2026. It also passed a law requiring employers to provide sick leave for workers.
A former Trump staffer who turned into a Trump foe, A.J. Delgado, flagged, "At least Kari Lake lost. That makes me smile."
Glenn Kirschner, a former federal and state prosecutor, posted a reminder to Americans from President Abraham Lincoln: "Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life."
Kirschner told followers, "for now, find community and comfort in your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors. Support one another. Because the struggle for American democracy WILL continue."
Comedian Dana Goldberg posted a quote from Toni Morrison saying, "This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write ... That is how civilizations heal."
Former federal prosecutor Barb McQuade apologized to the world and the American future.
"But we can’t give up on the idea of America," she told followers on Wednesday morning. "In this country, we accept the results of elections, we move on and we work. Choose light over darkness, hope over fear, love over hate, unity over division."
"Make no mistake: you are not alone. Our ancestors taught us that resilience is our superpower. You are loved, and you have an entire community with you," said Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson.
"This is a time to reach for each other- and recommit to our values of justice, solidarity, and community care," wrote the organization Showing Up for Racial Justice.
