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Haligonians react to Donald Trump presidency

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Haligonians react to Trump presidency
WATCH ABOVE: The presidential inauguration of Donald Trump was on the minds of many in Halifax. His term is only hours old, but he's struck a divisive chord. Global's Steve Silva has the reaction – Jan 20, 2017

Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States on Friday, and the reaction from Haligonians has been a mixture of worry and hope.

READ MORE: Canadians traveling to Donald Trump inauguration turned away at US border

“After listening to all this crap I’ve been getting from the people, I’m kind of starting to like Trump a little bit,” said Leroy Bennett, owner of Bennett’s Barbershop.

This Donald Trump 2016 political campaign sign, pictured on Jan. 20, 2017, is against a window in Bennett’s Barbershop in Halifax. Steve Silva / Global News

He referenced the feedback he has received since putting a Trump all-caps “Make America Great Again” political campaign sign against his shop’s window a few weeks ago.

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“Lots of fingers,” said Bennett, referencing physical representations of disapproval.

His shop is decorated with a large amount of posters, fake guns, and oddities.

Trump’s sign, a gift to the shop, was put up as “a joke at the start but not to most people. They don’t want it up there at all.”

WATCH BELOW: U.S. President Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump make walk from White House to Reviewing Stand.

Click to play video: 'Trump Inauguration: Donald Trump walks out to reviewing stand'
Trump Inauguration: Donald Trump walks out to reviewing stand

The fledgling presidency wasn’t given as accepting a welcome by others.

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Trump isn’t progressive enough on issues including global warming and international affairs, she added.

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READ MORE: ‘America first’: Donald Trump becomes 45th president of United States

“I’m more worried about his cabinet. I think that his cabinet has been filled with a bunch inept people,” Jake Hunt said.

Getting away from politics

During the inauguration ceremony, the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre held a one-hour meditation, which was attended by a few people.

“The world’s divided in so many ways anyways but, today, it feels like, energetically, it’s a bit of a crescendo moment,” said Judy Johnson, director of the centre.

She noted that the meditation was about getting away from the politics of the matter.

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READ MORE: The unlikely rise to power of Donald Trump and Rob Ford

“We’re not trying to empty our mind. We’re actually trying to fill the mind with the energy of peace,” Johnson said.

Leroy Bennett, pictured Jan. 20, 2017, said he has received a negative reaction from people for having put up a Donald Trump political campaign sign in his eponymous Halifax barbershop. Steve Silva / Global News

Wait and see

Bennett said that, regardless of opinion, all anyone can do now is wait to see what Trump does in his new position.

As of Friday afternoon, Trump’s sign was still against the window.

“I hope he does great.”

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