This qualitative study reports the experiences of 17 undergraduate first-year students with minoritized identities at an urban university in a battleground state during the 2016 presidential election. Guided by a constructivist theoretical perspective and interpretative thematic data analysis, several key findings emerged that texturize the paths participants took in making sense of this unique election. This study finds that students with minoritized identities, including students of color and LGBTQ+ students, experienced increased hostilities that were induced by the divisive political context. To contend with negativity in this climate, minoritized students engaged in activism that rebuffed these hostilities, raised awareness, and fostered peer connections. Themes aid in understanding how participants navigated the political landscape through a campus climate framework. The article concludes with discussion and implications.