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Miami volleyball snaps winning streak after falling to No. 10 SMU on the road

Max Diaz
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Miami volleyball snaps winning streak after falling to No. 10 SMU on the road

Miami volleyball’s hot streak came to an end in Dallas, TX this past Friday after falling to the No. 10 Southern Methodist Mustangs, 3-1. The Hurricanes had won their previous four matches before the loss.

The final scores of the match were 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, and 25-20. Even though the overall match did not go in the ‘Canes’ favor, it was a career night for junior Flormarie Heredia Colon who tallied a career high 30 kills along with eight digs, two blocks, and two service aces. The match leaders for the victorious Mustangs were graduate student Maya Tabron who tallied 13 kills and 13 digs and graduate student Nnedi Okammor who notched 11 kills.

The first set started off well for the Hurricanes, obtaining an early 5-3 lead off of three straight points from Heredia Colon. The first being a kill and the following two being aces. The set was tied up later at 11 a piece for each side. Thanks to many kills by Heredia Colon, the ‘Canes were able to gain a steady lead and maintained it for the rest of the set and they ended up winning the set 25-20. 

After their set one win, things went downhill for Miami. The second set started out close with the score tied at seven. However, SMU then won the next three points to give themselves a 10-7 lead. The Mustangs never looked back after gaining the lead and they went on to win the second set with a flipped score from set one, 25-20.

The third set started out with a 5-3 lead for the Hurricanes after back-to-back kills by Heredia Colon and sophomore Grace Lopez. While the ‘Canes still had the lead later at 9-7, the Mustangs then went on a 5-0 run to obtain a 12-9 lead. Miami never regained the lead in set three and SMU finished off the set off a kill by senior Jamison Wheeler to give them a 25-18 set victory.

The fourth set started with a 9-8 Hurricanes lead off a kill by Heredia Colon. Unfortunately for the ‘Canes, the Mustangs went on a 5-0 run right after to gain a 13-9 lead. The Hurricanes managed to fight their way back late, tying the set at 20 a piece. However, SMU destroyed any hopes of a comeback victory, winning the next five points to get the 25-20 set win as well as the 3-1 match victory.

After the loss, the ‘Canes fall to 18-8 on the season with a record of 9-6 in the conference. As for SMU, they improved to an overall record of 20-6 with a conference record of 12-3. For their next match, the Hurricanes will hope to repeat what they accomplished against former No. 1 Texas, as they head up to Pittsburgh, PA to face the No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers (24-1, ACC 14-1) on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 pm. Miami will then head back to Coral Gables to face the Clemson Tigers (9-17, 1-14 ACC) on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 pm.

The Hurricanes lost to Georgia Tech

Emil Salgado Vazquez
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There’s no easy way to put it: Our winning streak is over, and Marcos is definitely not happy about it.

The impact of the student employee minimum wage raise

Sophia Metzner
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In this week’s podcast, Rad and Sophia discuss the recent increase in the minimum wage for student employees to $13, which follows Florida’s minimum wage raise.

Meet the newest Miami basketball additions

Brendan Cafferty
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Meet the newest Miami basketball additions

Introductions are in order for the newest Hurricanes on both Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams. 

Both teams have started hot, winning their first two games this season, and much of the success can be attributed to the play of transfers and freshman recruits.

Along with veteran returning guard Nijel Pack, Stetson transfer Jalen Blackmon and five-star freshman Jalil Bethea have assisted in the guard position as first-year Hurricanes.

Their transition to UM has been seamless, as both Blackmon and Bethea noted during Miami’s Media Day in October.

“Here we are just playing off each other. We still have great sets, but it’s really just making plays for your teammates and more free flowing, which I enjoy,” Blackmon said, comparing his time at Stetson to Miami.

Bethea reiterated this sentiment.

“I feel like in Miami the game fits me. [Head coach Jim Larrañaga] lets his players be free. He lets us be who we are.”

The team stats back up the statements of Miami’s stars, as Blackmon and Bethea are averaging the second and fifth highest amount of points on the team, at 16 and 11 points per game, respectively.

The production within this new class of ’Canes is not isolated to just Blackmon and Bethea. Transfers Lynn Kidd, Brandon Johnson, and A.J. Staton-McCray, along with freshman Divine Ugochukwu, have become weapons alongside Miami’s arsenal of veteran players.

The women’s team had its roster revamped by the transfer portal as well.

Natalija Marshall, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, has made her presence known in this stacked Miami lineup at the forward spot, averaging the most points on the team with 14.

Marshall spoke on the team’s bonding strategy prior to the season.

“I think that chemistry is building and it will continue to grow,” Marshall said. “There’s only so much you can do in a few months, but I think we’ve made a lot of progress just kind of building that and gelling that culture and dynamic with each other.”

Along with leading the team in points per game, Marshall averages the highest number of rebounds, with nine per contest – a testament to her play on the boards.

With the addition of seniors Darrione Rogers and Cameron Williams and freshman Ahnay Adams on Miami’s roster for head coach Tricia Cullop’s first year, the Hurricanes have crafted themselves into a potentially dangerous basketball team.

With both teams off to an early fast start in the ACC, fans can expect each squad to improve throughout the season, becoming a looming presence for rival opponents.

Danny Ocean closed tour with Venezuelan-spirited Miami Homecoming

Gabriel Mena
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Danny Ocean closed tour with Venezuelan-spirited Miami Homecoming

Anticipation grew among a sold-out crowd as they waited for Danny Ocean to take the stage at FPL Solar Amphitheater on Nov. 2. The stage, adorned with satellite-like mirrors and silver balls, set the scene for the Venezuelan star. 

After lights and music began to ramp up, Ocean skipped onto stage sporting a black wife beater and long silver pants. Ocean left his heart on stage with a performance dedicated to his love for Miami.  

The show kicked off with “Monaco,” where the full band transformed the track into an epic instrumental showcase that set the tone for the night.

The show continued with “Epa Wei” and “Volare,” with the latter turning into a massive singalong that unified the crowd. The show reached its peak during “AMOR,” as a colorful screen called for the audience to wave their hands. 

During his first break, Danny shared a touching moment with the audience, revealing why this show is particularly special – it’s not just the tour’s final stop, but a return to the city where his artistic career began. 

The connection with the audience grew stronger as he performed “Miedito o Qué?,” followed by a crowd favorite “Ley Universal,” which created an intimate atmosphere amidst a black-out stage.

The production value shined throughout the night, with thoughtful lighting choices enhancing each song’s mood – orange lights illuminated “Baila,” while purple backdrops accented “Idea de Amarme.” 

The crowd’s energy reached new heights during “Fuera del Mercado,” as Ocean stopped the music, allowing the audience to fill in the chorus.An image of the moon eclipsing the sun appeared on screen during “Credo Condiciones,” creating a powerful moment.

The black and white aesthetic, coupled with precisely timed fire effects, created a dramatic backdrop for Danny’s message about living life on one’s own terms. 

The show’s musical prowess peaked during “Veneno,” featuring his saxophonist, who delivered a mind-blowing solo that had the crowd in awe.

The evening took an even more special turn as Danny acknowledged his Venezuelan fans, who made up nearly 90% of the audience. The recognition led into an emotional performance of “Por la pequeña Venecia.” 

The night’s biggest surprise was Elena Rose and Jerry Di coming on stage to perform “CARACAS EN EL 2000.” It was the first time all three artists performed the song together. 

As the show approached its finale, the energy continued to build. “Bikini,” featuring a guest appearance by Beto from RAWAYANA, had the crowd swaying in unison. 

“Dembow” turned the venue into a dance party, with Danny playfully suggesting it’s a good excuse to kiss someone.

Fittingly, Danny closed the night with “Me Rehúso,” a song he composed in Miami that changed his life. The performance was nothing short of magical, as the crowd sang the chorus acapella twice before a spectacular fireworks display brought the show to a close. 

The party continued as “Veneca” played while crowds left the venue. Fans raised their hands in celebration of a memorable night. 

The concert wasn’t just a performance; it was a homecoming celebration that showcased Danny Ocean’s evolution as an artist and his deep connection with his fans.

The combination of his stage presence, the band’s musicianship and the carefully crafted production elements demonstrated why Venezuelan fans hold such a special place in their hearts for Danny Ocean. The overwhelming Venezuelan turnout transformed this Miami show into a passionate celebration of their culture and music.

Winter Baking 101: Easy must try recipes to warm up the cold months

Gray Gerber
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Winter Baking 101: Easy must try recipes to warm up the cold months

No matter where you are from or where you live, there is something about fall and winter that makes everyone crave some sweet treats. Whether it be the holiday season or not, some fall treats are too good not to be made year round. 

Here are some projects to try out with your friends and family during a winter break or if you are just in the mood for some seasonal favorites. 

Whether you’ve been baking with your family since you were a toddler, or have only watched the Great British Baking Show, each one of these is sure to be a showstopper for any holiday event. 

Xmas Cookies

A holiday staple, these soft and buttery sugar cookies are one of the oldest Christmas time traditions. The use of cookie cutters to make fun festive shapes makes them a creative and engaging bake. 

The icing for these cookies is also simple to make, and can be dyed with food dye to make whatever colors you wish to decorate with. 

Find the recipe here: Christmas Cookies – Sally’s 

Pumpkin Pie

There’s no  better Thanksgiving staple dessert than pumpkin pie. The recipe here calls for making the pie dough by scratch, however, don’t be afraid to use a store bought crust. Pilsbury makes the best for this type of pie. 

Great Pumpkin Pie – Sally’s 

Cinnamon Rolls

Nothing gets me out of bed quicker than knowing that there’s a soft cinnamon-spiced sugary roll waiting for me. Why stop at normal sized cinnamon rolls, when you can make mega cinnamon rolls like the ones from Cinnabon. 

A tip I have to add to how yummy these are is to add in just a touch of pumpkin pie spice to the cream cheese frosting. Orange extract makes a lighter flavor for those wanting a touch of citrus. 

Giant Cinnamon Rolls – Sally’s 

Apple Bread

A buttery and moist cake-like loaf with cinnamon apple chunks spread out, apple bread is a heavily underrated treat to bake. 

A tip:instead of using granny smith apples or red delicious like many recipes will call for, use honeycrisps. They are much sweeter which makes them pair well with cinnamon flavor. They also don’t have the same kind of tart aftertaste that grannys do, and reds will end up making your batter overly moist. Make sure to refrigerate them before prepping as well. 

Apple Cinnamon Bread – Sally’s

Tiramisu

If you’ve gone down this list and haven’t found anything that seems to grab your attention, consider this one a showstopper. A classic Italian sweet treat, this recipe actually calls for no actual baking. 

This combination of espresso, ladyfingers and mascarpone is a rich dish too good to wait until after dinner. Adding rum into the mascarpone makes for a delicious combination of spice and sweet. 

While there is no baking involved with this dish it will have to chill in the fridge for several hours, so plan ahead.

Tiramisu – Sally’s

Check out the Sally’s Baking Addiction website for more delicious recipes.Other classic holiday treats that are a step above the beginner level that are good to mention are peanut brittle, macarons and buckeyes. 

Baking, like any type of cooking, is a trial and error process. Don’t get discouraged if something goes wrong or your bake doesn’t turn out the final product you were imagining. 

Take a breath, try again, and laugh it off. For my bakers that tend to be a bit messy with decorating, you are not alone. 

Just know that no matter what it looks like, following these recipes will ensure a tasty treat nonetheless. Happy Holidays, happy baking and may your pie dough never crack.

How Canes and Noles felt about the UM vs. FSU game

Emil Salgado Vazquez
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Mark managed to interview a few students at the homecoming game. Disclaimer: these opinions are of individual students, not The Miami Hurricane.

The ‘SNL’ sketches that turned candidates into punchlines

Brendan Cafferty
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The ‘SNL’ sketches that turned candidates into punchlines

If “Saturday Night Live” can do one thing well, it’s poking fun at the nation’s political climate.

With the 2024 election season behind us, it is time to reflect on this and previous years’ elections. What better way to do that than rewatch old “SNL” political sketches?

With outlandish depictions of national leaders, such as Jim Carrey’s Joe Biden as the fly on Mike Pence’s head in the “VP Fly Debate Cold Open” (2020), “SNL” has been able to find humor in the political process.

Take a look back at some of the best skits that have defined presidential campaigns:

“President Reagan, Mastermind” – 1986

Phil Hartman’s performance as former President Ronald Reagan opens with an reporting interviewing him acting clueless to the controversies within his administration.

However, once the reporter leaves, with a clap of excitement, Reagan calls in his administration, showing a heavy involvement in the controversies, such as the Iran Contra Affair.

Playing into the evil-genius archetype, Hartman spins Reagan’s wholesome image into a conniving leader.

“First Presidential Debate: Al Gore and George W. Bush” – 2000

Starring Darrell Hammond as Al Gore and a young Will Ferrell as Bush, the sketch plays on Bush’s knack for mispronouncing words in his debates.

Hammond’s slow southern drawl and Ferrell’s simple responses with his refusal to pronounce certain names of foreign leaders parody the election’s vice presidential nominees.

Ferrell’s inability to pronounce “strategy” took on a life of its own. “Strategery,” as it was pronounced, became a phrase embraced by the Bush administration in a lighthearted manner.

“Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Address the Nation” – 2008

Comedic forces Tina Fey (Sarah Palin) and Amy Poehler (Hillary Clinton) took on the roles of the two drastically different political figures.

Responding to sexism, the 2008 election, and global warming, the two actors give exaggerated responses that amplify their differences. 

Clinton’s maniac laughter as Palin speaks on her intent to “make it to the White House” sums up the hilarity of the episode’s cold-open. Fey’s portrayal of Palin would go on to be one of her most popular characters.

Palin later appeared in the audience of the show’s 40th anniversary show to poke fun at the cold opens about her.

“Michael Cohen Wiretap Cold Open” – 2018

Featuring Ben Stiller as Cohen and Baldwin as Trump, the scene depicts a call between Cohen and Trump as the FBI taps in during the Stormy Daniels affair.

The erratic performance by Stiller as he desperately tries to reach Trump, while accidentally dialing more political caricatures, cements this skit in “SNL” history.

“2024 Pre-Election Cold Open” – 2024

Featuring Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, this skit surprised viewers when the actual Harris actually joined her Rudolph on stage.

Opening with a comedic representation of a Trump rally, Rudolph’s Harris reflects on the election with her mirror reflection, which is actually Harris on stage with her.

Rudolph’s impression of Harris’ laugh and plays on Kamala’s name made the real Harris break character and chuckle along, opening the show in an unseen way.

Certainly in this year’s election, “SNL” has proven it’s a one of a kind show that can turn political turmoil into a joke.

So, in the wake of the results, regardless of opinion, turn to these skits in search of a good laugh.

Where the lines crossed between politics and pop culture in the 2024 election

Jenna Simone
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Where the lines crossed between politics and pop culture in the 2024 election

Blurring the lines between entertainment and politics, celebrity endorsements and influencers have been more prominent this election cycle. Presidential candidates used their influence to target young voters, help increase overall turnout, and take advantage of social media this election season. 

Let’s dive into some examples of this strategy and how it could have turned the tables, from Kamala Harris’s appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast to Donald Trump’s feature on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” 

Alex Cooper, a well-known American podcaster and host of “Call Her Daddy,” brought Harris onto her podcast, which caters towards a younger female audience. The two then talked about laws regarding reproductive rights. 

“The government shouldn’t be telling [a pregnant woman] what to do. If she chooses, she’ll talk to her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her mom, but not the government telling you what to do. And that’s what’s so outrageous about it,” Harris said.

Viewers from both political parties voiced their opinions on Harris’s appearance on this podcast, known  for its conversations about gossip, relationships and sex. 

“I think going on podcasts can be fine, but when it’s taken to the scale of something like ‘Call Her Daddy,’ it can seem unprofessional, ” Emma Paccione, a freshman finance student at UM, said.  “Politicians should be going on true educational outlets because it seems ingenuine when they use very Gen Z influences.” 

Some viewers stated it was an inappropriate setting for a presidential candidate, while others argued Trump had used the same strategy. 

Trump was featured on the “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, with his episode garnering over 45 million views on YouTube. American podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan discussed topics like inflation, election fraud, political polls, the environment and his opponent, Harris.

“It’s honestly scary how our presidential candidates are playing around on social media,” Jason Hugh, freshman computer science major, said. 

Harris has used Gen Z appeals by having famous female rappers such as Megan Thee Stallion and Glorilla perform at her rallies.These appearances made fans question how these artists relate to politics.

Celebrities endorsing Trump include Elon Musk and Dave Portnoy. Major pop-stars like Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Bad Bunny endorsed Harris.

“Why should I care who Taylor Swift or Bad Bunny is supporting? It just feels so unnecessary,” Lucas Velasquez, freshman computer science major, said. 

The political campaign has also been brought to TikTok. Both Trump and Harris used the app to post more unserious, casual content — a move by both parties to try and engage young voters aged 18-24.

For example, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, JD Vance posted a TikTok comparing Harris and Trump’s political power through beer.

“I don’t think TikTok and politics should mix,” Graham Thompson, freshman double majoring in finance and accounting, said.

This reflects a broader shift toward trying to sell a candidate’s personality rather than their agenda, which may not always resonate with voters seeking genuine political engagement.

Their appearances haven’t come without costs. Harris’ surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live”  on Nov. 2 violated “equal time” rules that govern political programming. The federal equal time rule was established by the Federal Communications Commission to make broadcasters give political candidates equal air time. 

To fix the violation of the equal time rule, the broadcast network gave Trump a chance to directly address voters during a Nascar playoff race on Sunday, Nov. 3.

While these social media campaign strategies aim to reach younger audiences, they raise concerns about the professionalism of the political process, making the political landscape feel more like a performance than a serious exchange of ideas.

First-time voters step into America’s political spotlight

Grace Andruzzi
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First-time voters step into America’s political spotlight

Many college students voted in their first presidential election this November. For these students, this experience was filled with mixed emotions: excitement, responsibility and uncertainty. 

Jack Hyland, a first-time voter finance and accounting student at the University of Miami, felt all these emotions at the polls. 

“I was excited to finally be able to express my political beliefs in a way that really matters,” Hyland said.  

First-time voters recognized their chance to execute their role in shaping the future of their country.

“As you get older, you start to care more about politics, so it was one of the first years I really became involved with this topic,” Chiara Ambrosini, a first year voter and student at UM, said. 

Politics can tend to be a sensitive subject for some, and especially when the people around you may have opposing viewpoints. It’s not uncommon for people under the age of 18 to avoid that topic completely. 

“I was hesitant to vote in this year’s election because throughout my life, I tended to steer away from the topic of politics altogether,” Jordyn Hemmens, a first year voter and health science major at the University of Miami, said. 

On election day, some first-timers felt nervous about the process, especially with the setup of voting machines, ballot marking and polling etiquette. 

For some, the experience was empowering, while others encountered unexpected barriers, like long lines or complex ballots. 

Sienna Mesa, a legal studies major at UM and a first-time voter, went to the polls at the Watsco Center on campus for the first time this election day.  

“I thought the line would be really long to wait for voting, but when I got there it was actually short,” Mesa said.  “I assumed most people voted early.” 

Ambrosini had a similarly quick visit.

“I waited in line for about 40 minutes. It wasn’t too bad. There were people in line promoting different candidates for different positions,” Ambrosini said. 

Once they cast their ballots, they felt a sense of accomplishment from participating in the democratic process and contributing to the future.

“It was nice to feel like I had a say in the leadership of this country,” Mesa said. 

The first-time voters left with a stronger appreciation for the importance of civic engagement, viewing this as the beginning of their ongoing role in society’s democratic journey. 

With Donald Trump winning the election, their impact on the outcome is not lost on them. 

With emotions running high after the election results, many mixed opinions were brought to social media. Fights in most comments sections from political posts on social media defined their personal pages. 

“My entire for-you page on TikTok is political propaganda. Lots of Trump edits, Kamala rallies, and fan quotes. Every time I scroll, it’s a new video of either political candidate,” said Madeline Peterson, first year marine science student and first-time voter. 

Ambrosini feels positive about the results, though she recognizes the tension among peers with opposing viewpoints. 

“I am pretty glad with the outcome of the election,” Ambrosini said.  “I’ve seen a lot of posts in favor of the results, and a lot of posts saddened by the results. I can only hope for the best. Even though a lot of people don’t like Trump, I feel like the Republican Party has a lot of good plans and can really help us economically.” 

On the other hand, while Lucy Schwab, a first year student majoring in neuroscience, felt grateful to exercise her right to vote, she is not necessarily happy with the result. 

“It was hard to be happy with the outcome of this election because both parties seemed very extreme on either side of the political spectrum,” Schwab said. “From my experiences, the majority of people don’t try to be rational about certain extremes.” 

For these young voters, their first election represents not just a single vote, but the beginning of their active role in the ongoing journey of shaping their society’s future.

Amendment 4 in fails by three percentage points

Martina Pantaleon
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Amendment 4 in fails by three percentage points

Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution, the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, did not reach the 60% voting threshold during the 2024 election.

Abortion was one of the two citizen-sponsored initiatives in this year’s ballot. With over 900,000 signed petitions, this amendment earned a spot on the ballot with four other measures added by Florida’s State Legislature.

On Election Day, Amendment 4 fell three percentage points short of the 60% needed to pass. Out of over 10 million voters, more than six million cast a ballot in favor of limiting the government’s interference in abortions. Yet that only made up 57.2% of votes.

Supporters of the Amendment blame the bill’s failure on the supermajority needed to pass.

“It’s a weird feeling to win by 15% and still lose,” said Pinecrest Councilmember, Anna Hochkammer, executive director of Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition, to the Miami Herald.

As the election approached, discussions surrounding Amendment 4 were widespread, with television stations featuring advertisements both opposing and supporting Amendment 4. 

“The only way to end the current ban, which has no real exceptions for rape, incest, or health of the woman, is for Floridians to vote yes on Amendment 4,” their website said underneath the video.

Rallies were held across Florida, with abortion-rights advocates frequently taking to the streets to mobilize voters. Opponents of the amendment matched their efforts, including a rally organized by Ave Maria University, a Catholic institution in Ave Maria, Florida, just two weeks before the election.

“This event raises awareness of the harm Amendment 4 will cause to the unborn and their mothers — allowing for late-term abortions, eliminating parental consent laws, and worsening the health care provided to women in crisis,” Father Joseph Lugalambi, Ave Maria University’s campus chaplain told CNA.

Shortly after the election, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis published, “With polls now closed in Florida — Amendment 3 has failed. Amendment 4 has failed,” on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Fox called DeSantis’ tweet a victory lap. Florida’s Governor had openly opposed Amendment 4 several times before the elections. On Oct. 22 he held a press conference alongside medical professionals to “outline the dangers of Amendment 4.”

“You have no definitions in these amendments, you have no doctors required to be involved in this amendment, and you have really, really extreme policies such as the lack of meaningful limits,” said DeSantis during the conference in Coral Gables. “That is not something that belongs in any state constitution, much less the State of Florida.”

While many focused on the results of the presidential election, Floridians Protecting Freedom hosted a “Yes on 4” watch party at St. Pittsburg.

“The reality is, because of Florida’s constitution, a minority, a minority, a minority of Florida voters have decided that Amendment 4 will not be adopted,” Lauren Brenzel, Campaign Director of “Yes on 4” said to supporters after the results were published.

After the results were announced, UMiamiDems published a statement on their Instagram.

“We are extremely disheartened to hear about the loss of democratic federal, state, and local offices last night, along with the failure of Amendments 3 & 4 in the state of Florida.”

But those were not the only voices announcing their disappointment.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who appeared on the ticket as the Democratic Senate Candidate, spoke up on the results to her supporters at her watch party at the JW Marriott in Miami.
“We were not successful in sending a woman, a mom, who would be fighting every single day for our daughters and women in the state of Florida, to protect their reproductive freedom.”

Miami-Dade’s voters ride Trump’s red wave to victory

Mel Tenkoff
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Miami-Dade’s voters ride Trump’s red wave to victory
Voters stand at Versailles in support of Donald J. Trump on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo Credit: Marra Finkelstein.

By: Mel Tenkoff & Jaslyn Troung

A red wave swept through Miami-Dade County on Election Day, with President-elect Donald Trump not only clinching the county’s first Republican presidential win since George H.W. Bush 36 years ago, but also improving his margins across almost every city in Miami-Dade with 55% of the entire vote. 

Despite Florida’s Democrats’ reliance on Miami-Dade to remain its historic blue, as it did for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and for Joe Biden in 2020, multiple cities throughout the county including Aventura, Homestead, Key Biscayne, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest went from siding with the Democratic candidate in past years to Trump in 2024.

Of these cities, Coral Gables — home to the University of Miami — also saw a shift in voter preference.

“Biden got 53% of the vote in 2020 to Trump’s 47%. On Tuesday, Trump emerged the narrow [Coral] Gables winner, taking 50% of the ballots, compared to 49% for [Kamala] Harris,” according to The Miami Herald.

Miami-Dade County during the 2024 presidential election. Graphic by: Ashley Puritz

“A big part of [Trump’s win] has to be the Cuban community in Miami and the desire to not revert back into ways of socialism, which have been associated with the Democratic party,” said Osei Allen, a junior at UM studying political science and psychology. “A lot of Trump’s appeal has definitely been straying towards the right side of things.”

The Miami Hurricane spoke to voters at Versailles on Election night and found that many shared the same sentiment as Allen. 

Jeremiah Andrew Carrillo, a 28-year-old Trump voter, said, “United States citizens are tired of being afraid and tied down with their pocketbooks, and not being able to express freedoms they were able to since the founding of this country.” 

Many voters pointed to the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies, like increased government spending, progressive healthcare reforms and climate change regulations as key factors driving them to vote for Trump. 

Others, like Joseph Higgins, a first-time voter in Miami-Dade County, attributed their support for Trump to Harris’ handling of key foreign and domestic issues during her time in office. 

“The three main objectives that Kamala was in charge of were the borders, the Ukraine war and the US pullout in the Middle East,” Higgins said. “What Trump wanted to do in the Middle East was to slowly pull out the troops, but what she did was pull out the troops immediately, which was not smart.”

This right-leaning shift throughout the county is reflected not only in the presidential vote but also in the failure of progressive measures across the state like Amendments 3 and 4, which aimed to legalize the use of recreational marijuana and to allow abortion until viability. 

However, leading up to this election, many voters did not know what result to expect for either these measures or a Harris or Trump victory.

Sebastian Gonzalez, a sophomore majoring in political science and public relations said that “it’s hard to accurately depict what is going to happen on election night and there could always be a margin of error,” regarding the projection of which candidate would win in the swing states and Miami-Dade. 

Former President Barack Obama was the last Democrat to win Florida as a whole in 2008 and 2012, but since then, what Allen refers to as the “domination of the Trump campaign,” has made the state increasingly red and out of reach for Democrats. 

“At the end of the day, a big part of this has to do with how well certain candidates align at the time. Considering the circumstances — for example, having Kamala represent the Democratic party — kind of resulted in not the strongest of support,” Allen said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s going to be a major trend towards red for the next eight to twelve years, I think it’s just due to the circumstances.”

Others have expressed that Trump’s appeal is because of people realizing that the Democrats need to change their strategy. 

“I think [Trump’s win] is a mixture of his hold on the Republican party and the need for the Democratic party to change its leadership within the party,” Gonzalez said.

With the results of the presidential election, the Democrats may need to realign their strategy and message to their demographics to be successful in the future. 

“[Democrats] have to be a lot more direct in terms of what demographics of voters make or break their success, particularly in the swing states,” Allen said. “Republicans have done a really solid job of appealing to those less represented groups.”

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