'We agree to disagree': Best friends for 12 years divided on election results
The conclusion of the 2016 U.S. presidential election is a welcome relief for two best friends in Seattle whose political differences reveal just how polarizing the race had been.
Ernie Lou and Tod Steward are close friends. Lou is an ardent supporter of Hillary Clinton, Steward is on team Donald Trump, and their friendship is a microcosm of the deep divisions in the U.S. as a whole.
Lou tells The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti he voted for Clinton, and says he is still processing her loss.
"I was devastated." says Lou. "But still, I mean, I love Tod. He's a good friend of mine but we agree to disagree that I think Donald Trump is the worst candidate in the history of our country."
Steward disagrees with his friend.
"This is a case where ... the establishment tried to get back in for another four years. And for the last quarter century the voters are sick and tired of this."
Steward is positive the voters chose the right candidate.
"I think Donald Trump is not beholden to really any political party because he's not a politician. And I think you know as a businessman he's going to come in and he's going to allay the fears of the country."
When asked if their friendship has survived this election, the men acknowledge the deep divisions in American politics, but vow to remain friends.
"I'm happy that you're happy, " says Lou to his friend.
But he's worried.
"This morning everyone that is Latino, everyone that is a Muslim, everyone that is like us — they're gay. You know [those] people are scared because of his rhetoric over the last year and a half," says Lou.
"Donald Trump is going to be our president. I do hope Donald Trump is successful."
Listen to the full conversation.
This segment was produced by The Current's Liz Hoath and Shannon Higgins.