Jaime Hebel | Head of Illustration

At 7:30 p.m. on election night, the WashU College Republicans met in a modern off-campus apartment on Washington Avenue to prepare for a night that would test their hopes and principles. About 20 students were there, creating a lively scene filled with chatter, laughter, and the familiar smell of pizza. Some sat cross-legged in front of a flat-screen TV tuned into the Red Eagle Politics YouTube livestream; others stood around the kitchen island, alternately chatting and refreshing the New York Times election page on their laptops. The mood was buoyant, with food, drinks, and bursts of humor punctuating the tense watch.

Senior Mason Letteau Stallings, president of WashU College Republicans, stood nearby and projected a confident but pragmatic outlook.

“It looks like there’s been a swing towards Trump in many areas that would indicate a win,” he said with measured excitement. “There was a slight swing towards him in some rural areas of North Carolina. He won [those areas in NC] in 2020 … so if he does 5% better, it’s going to be a win.”

Small groups formed and re-formed as students bounced from the living room to the kitchen island, analyzing the numbers and discussing strategy. Some grabbed slices from a rapidly diminishing stack of pizza boxes, while others hovered near their laptops, eyes darting between maps and color-coded predictions.

Senior and College Republicans treasurer, Josh Warner, noted the closeness of the race, but maintained hope. 

“My thought process is at this point: it’s still anyone’s game. So far, most of the results have been somewhat predictable. He’s doing well where he needs to. She’s doing well where she needs to. It’s gonna be a long night, but hopefully a good one,” he said with a smile cracking through the tension.

By 8 p.m., the mood was hopeful, with tinges of nerves as more and more states began reporting. First-year Thomas McGowan had already assumed anxious anticipation.

“It’s crazy times we are in right now … [Trump] is up right now, but we still have the entire left half of the country to call in,” he said, eyeing the maps on the screen before him anxiously. “I’m apprehensive, but I’m hopeful.” 

Senior Joseph Sanok, however, was confident with no reservations.

“I don’t feel anxious or anything,” he said, matter-of-factly and composed. “I really, really think that I always believed that Trump was going to win … I feel pretty confident.” 

The energy in the room had shifted from focused, anticipatory energy to something more relaxed and festive. Pizza boxes were piled high, emptied, and ordered repeatedly to fuel everyone well into the night. Conversations meandered from election analysis to weekend plans, but eyes darted back to screens often. The air was filled with camaraderie and anticipation, with the smell of food and the clinking of beer bottles adding to the atmosphere.

Graduate student Alden Filko weighed in, optimism clipping into his voice. He smiled, sitting back.

“It’s just that it appears as though all the small-town votes are going for Republicans, so I’m hoping their voices finally get heard this election again,” he said.

Spirits were even higher at 9 p.m., with a wave of encouraging results. Clustered around laptops and the TV, students cheered as necessary battleground states seemed to cement for Trump. 

McGowan announced updates with continual enthusiasm. 

“Harris is at 99 [electoral votes]; Trump is at 198 right now … as of right now, it’s looking pretty good for Trump … The 80% reporting is killing me in Georgia, and Trump’s up by five,” he said, his voice filled with anticipation. “So they’re gonna call it soon.” 

With each new result, a high-five would erupt, and laughter burst around the room as students leaned into moments of celebration.

By 10 p.m., the night felt even more promising. Sanok had never been surer, his earlier confidence matching that now coming from his peers.

“I’m still very confident that Trump’s gonna win,” he said, beaming. “I just can’t see Kamala winning.” 

The crowd agreed, and chatter of crucial swing states like Pennsylvania started to rise. McGowan, smiling, continued to highlight big development after big development.

“The big one is Trump is now up by 0.5% in Pennsylvania … As those votes are coming in and the middle counties are sending Trump up through the roof … I’m feeling pretty darn good right now,” he said.

As the results poured in across the TV, the room erupted, and for a moment, the apartment felt more like a victory rally than a watch party.

The final hours brought elated exhaustion. The room went from tense anticipation to celebration as results trickled in, and the outcome seemed inevitable. As the night ended and the result officially came through the TV, Letteau Stallings, who started the night cautious but optimistic, summed up the group’s elation.

“Everybody was jubilant and is looking forward to what Donald Trump is able to do,” he said.