By admin 
Harvard students flocked to the Sanders Theater at 8 p.m. Tuesday night, waving American flags and singing along to Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” to watch the results of the 2024 presidential election.
By 11 p.m., however, the mood had changed. Some expressed their concern and anxiety by booing the president of Harvard’s Republican Club, while others donned a “Make America Great Again” hat in honor of former President Donald Trump’s lead in the Electoral College.
The event, which Sanders thoroughly enjoyed, was organized by the Harvard Institute of Politics and the Dean of Students Office. Guest speakers, including government professor Ryan D. Enos and IOP Director Setti D. Warren, accompanied the live CNN coverage projected above the stage.
“I feel like there’s a really good atmosphere here and it’s been well organized by the IOP,” Jacob H. Friedman ’28 said at the beginning of the event.
Several students who arrived after the theater was full were turned away. Those who entered were welcomed by IOP student leadership to what the organization’s president, Pratyush Mallick ’25, described as “the IOP Superbowl.”
IOP leaders sounded a gong every time CNN predicted a state’s election outcome. An overwhelming majority of the audience cheered for Vice President Kamala Harris when she won the screenings in New York and Massachusetts, and booed loudly when Trump won Texas.
Students said watching the returns with their peers helped ease their concerns about the competitive elections.
“By watching the votes and cheering, I can take away some of the fear of the election tonight,” said Hyunsoo Lee ’28.
A minority of attendees cheered loudly when Trump won North Carolina, the first swing state to be declared.
Moments later, Michael Oved ’25, the president of the Harvard Republican Club, walked onto the stage. He called on Republican students in the audience to identify themselves. Only one raised his hand.
The crowd then booed Oved, who walked off stage.
Michael F. Bido ’27 said the cheering made the environment less hospitable, but he didn’t condemn it. “If that’s how they feel, then those are the emotions they need to express,” he said.
Despite the overwhelming support for Harris, a group of men wearing MAGA hats entered the Sanders theater to voice their support for Trump.
Brett D. Brannon ’21, a member of the group, said Harvard students booing Oved “are very far removed from the opinion of the average American.”
“The average American has very common sense about inflation, about the economy and about immigration,” he added.
Jonathan Haileselassie ’26, president of the Harvard Undergraduate Association, said the event was indicative of the commitment and excitement of Harvard students.
“It’s kind of a testament, the amount of care that students take about their civic duty and kind of the political climate in the United States,” he said.
The event ended at midnight with ten states still uncalled.