As the final results of the nail-biting presidential election rolled in, CNN correspondent Van Jones articulated what many were thinking: A Donald Trump presidency is hard for parents to explain, and scary for immigrants to experience.
"People have talked about a miracle. I'm hearing about a nightmare," he said early Wednesday morning. "You tell your kids: Don't be a bully... don't be a bigot.. do your homework and be prepared. And then you have this outcome."
"You have people putting children to bed tonight, and they're afraid of breakfast. They're afraid of 'How do I explain this to my children?' I have Muslim friends who are texting me tonight, 'Should I leave the country?' I have families of immigrants that are terrified tonight."
He continued, with wet eyes: "This was a rebellion against the elites, true, it was a create reinvention of politics... but it was also something else."
"We haven't talked about race. This was a 'white-lash' against a changing country ... against a black president in part. And that's the part where the pain comes."
Van Jones: "This was a 'white-lash' against a changing country" https://t.co/fVi0JzyFOr #CNNElection #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/mWuTQqN83C
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) November 9, 2016
Jones' emotional words have resonated with many on Twitter:
Van Jones just made me cry.
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) November 9, 2016
Wow. @VanJones68 is articulating a lot of American people's pain tonight so beautifully. @CNN #ElectionNight
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) November 9, 2016
@VanJones68 Thank you for reminding everyone on @CNN of the reality for us.
— Kristin Davis (@KristinDavis) November 9, 2016
Van Jones….nothing but respect!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) November 9, 2016
What do we do now? Nausea has turned to tears. Thank you @VanJones68 for your articulation https://t.co/2ciSKGUiwQ
— Aaron Tveit (@AaronTveit) November 9, 2016
If you wanna cry watch Van Jones give the first cognizant minority understanding of the election on CNN tonight. He just made it real.
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) November 9, 2016
Respect to @VanJones68 for being so articulate and passionate about what so many are feeling.
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) November 9, 2016
But Jones tried to end on a positive note. "Donald Trump has a responsibility tonight to come and reassure people that he is going to be the president of all the people who he insulted and offended and brushed aside," he said.
PHOTOS: Election Day in America 2016
