President-elect Donald Trump somehow was able to win Tuesday’s election despite a steady stream of “open letters” meant to stop the real estate mogul from becoming president.
Here are 10 open letters that somehow, against all odds, didn’t keep Trump from winning the presidency.
- Silicon Valley against Trump
In July, more than 140 tech executives and entrepreneurs took a “stand against Donald Trump’s divisive candidacy.” “We believe in an inclusive country that fosters opportunity, creativity and a level playing field,” the techies wrote. “Donald Trump does not.” The letter — which the New York Times described as “scathing” — was not enough to stop Trump. - Authors against Trump
More than 600 authors, some of whom (like Stephen King) are well known, wrote an “open letter to the American people.” The Los Angeles Times covered the open letter in an article titled, “More than 600 American authors are trying to stop Trump.” - Therapists against Trump
In what was perhaps 2016’s most surprising development, an open letter signed by more than 3,000 therapists taking a stand against “Trumpism” was not enough to sway the outcome of a presidential election. “As psychotherapists practicing in the United States, we are alarmed by the rise of the ideology of Trumpism, which we see as a threat to the well-being of the people we care for and to American democracy itself,” they wrote. “We cannot remain silent as we witness the rise of an American form of fascism. We can leverage this time of crisis to deepen our commitment to American democracy.” While the letter did prompt a Politico article titled, “America’s Therapists Are Worried About Trump’s Effect On Your Mental Health” it somehow was not enough to stop Donald Trump. - Celebrities against Trump
Calling themselves “Artists United Against Trump,” more than 100 celebrities wrote an open letter demanding the public stop Trump from becoming president. Signees included actors Neil Patrick Harris and Bryan Cranston, actresses Kerry Washington, Lena Dunham, Olivia Wilde and Meg Ryan, and artists Moby, Macklemore and Third Eye Blind, among others. America elected Trump anyway. - Historians against Trump
More than 900 historians, professors and teachers signed an open letter imploring the public not to vote for Trump. “The lessons of history compel us to speak out against a movement rooted in fear and authoritarianism,” they declared. “The lessons of history compel us to speak out against Trump.” Despite garnering breathless coverage from organizations like the Huffington Post — “Here’s Why Donald Trump Is Horrifying, According To Historians” — the historians’ letter wasn’t enough to stop Trump. - ‘Humans of New York’ against Trump
“I try my hardest not to be political,” wrote Brandon Stanton, founder of popular photo-blog Humans of New York, in an open letter to Trump. He then proceeded to get overtly political. “Those of us who have been paying attention will not allow you to rebrand yourself. You are not a ‘unifier.’ You are not ‘presidential.’ You are not a ‘victim’ of the very anger that you’ve joyfully enflamed for month,” he wrote. The New York Times covered the letter with the headline, “Humans of New York Founder Takes On Donald Trump,” but it was not enough to stop The Donald. - Star Trek Against Trump
Dozens of cast and crew from “Star Trek” signed a “Trek Against Trump” petition. “Never has there been a presidential candidate who stands in such complete opposition to the ideals of the Star Trek universe as Donald Trump,” the letter said. Despite standing in “complete opposition to the ideals of the Star Trek universe,” Trump managed to win the election. - Former Republican congressmen against Trump
More than 30 former Republican congressmen wrote a letter speaking out against Donald Trump’s “disgraceful” candidacy. The LA Times treated the letter like a major campaign development, writing, “The group includes key swing state figures, and is the largest showing of one-time GOP officials refusing to back the party’s presidential nominee this year.” The letter proved ineffective. - Liberal scientists against Trump
After Trump said he would cancel U.S. participation in the Paris climate agreement, 375 scientists wrote an open letter speaking out against Trump’s stance on the matter. They called it “of great concern that the Republican nominee for President has advocated U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Accord.” The Huffington Post ran an article crying out, “375 Top Scientists Warn Us Not To Vote For Trump” that went viral and was shared more than 80,000 times. America elected Trump anyway. - Republican national security experts against Trump
More than 50 Republican national security experts wrote a letter meant to undermine the legitimacy of Trump’s candidacy. The letter, which earned the headline “50 G.O.P. Officials Warn Donald Trump Would Put Nation’s Security ‘At Risk'” from the New York Times, wasn’t enough to keep America from choosing Trump as its next president.