People in 2008 watching "Celebrity Apprentice"would laugh if Marty McFly went back and told them that today, in 2016, Donald Trump has become the most publicized figure in American politics. I thought I had talked  enough  about this, but there’s another thought that needs to be addressed: what is the real problem with Donald Trump? There are plenty of prejudiced individuals, and plenty of them are in power. We’ve probably had presidents with similar views, albeit better at hiding it. So what is it that is bothering me — and many of us — so intensely about The Donald?

Well, his supporters, of course.

Think about it. Anti-Trump folks like myself thought that this problem would never become so big, because we had faith in our fellow Americans that they wouldn’t agree with what this man was spouting. Even if they did, we trusted that they’d recognize Trump lacked coherent policy plans or government experience and, therefore, wouldn’t vote for him anyway. Oh, how wrong we were. A white, upper-class Republican presidential nominee being anti-immigration and making misogynistic comments, promoting "taking out [the terrorists’] families" and making harmful statements about Mexican people and Muslims? Sadly, none of that was too surprising for me. But I have seen various people around me — family members, classmates and friends — come out in support of Trump, and that, in my opinion, is the most surprising thing about the U.S. political atmosphere.

Considering the disappointing state of U.S. politics, I try my best not to take politicians’ statements to heart. That is, I understand that a lot of what they have to say to get votes, donations and other support critical to their campaign is not indicative of how they actually feel as individuals. I wish we could know what the true values of politicians are, but oftentimes, we cannot.

So, when Trump came out with his views, which I consider divisive, racist and misogynistic, my first thought was, “He really thinks the conservatives are going to come through for him, but just watch, it’s not going to work. People aren’t that awful.” Apparently, I underestimated just how anti-minority and anti-poor people a lot of Republican voters and GOP politicians could be. For months, I have heard various acquaintances, and even friends and family, assert that Trump “tells it like it is” and that his idea to ban Muslims is simply “self-preservation” for the United States, as though every Muslim could cause terrorism.

It alarms me that Americans support a man who suggests that Obama is conspiring with terrorists or that he is dividing the country by saying that racial minorities should have equality. It alarms me that so many Americans love a politician that has referred to LGBT people as "the gays" and says that Mexico is sending “rapist” immigrants. You can be appalled at Trump’s words and threats all you want, but the supporters are the ones who startle me because they’re the ones who put Trump in this high place, one large step away from becoming the global representative of this nation. As I said, I’m sure there have been various other candidates with views like Trump’s. The existence of a candidate like this is not shocking, but the fact that so many people in the U.S. have allowed a candidate like this to succeed certainly is.

As this election year progresses, I realize more and more that we don’t just have a Trump problem. We have an American voter problem. Even if Trump isn’t elected, the people who wanted him to win will still be voting and promoting their ideas. This goes beyond fiscal conservatism. They will still think immigrants are dangerous. They will still think Muslims are dangerous. They will likely believe that police brutality against black people is not real, despite consistent evidence that it is. I can’t generalize Trump supporters, but there are many of them who do hold these opinions and agree with what Trump proposes. I know this from Facebook posts, and I know this from what people say around me, in class or at work or in public. There are so many American citizens who are vibrant, bold and compassionate, and they are what make America great. I know that not every American agrees with Trump, and no matter what happens, I hope that each and every voter can find their conscience and compassion come November because if anything could finally turn a voter away from Trump, it's morality.