Donald Trump arrived in Washington as a political outsider in 2016, upending US politics, reshaping the Republican Party and engaging previously disengaged voters.
He became the first president to be convicted of a crime and still falsely claims the 2020 election was stolen from him.
But he continues to draw strong popular support on the issues that top voter concerns, such as the economy and immigration. Six of his supporters explain his enduring appeal as he makes his third White House run.
‘You want to come to America? Earn it, like I did’
Luiz Oliveira, a small business owner in Nevada, moved to the US from Brazil in the 1980s but he’s not happy with the number of immigrants arriving through the southern border.
“How is this happening in America?” asks the 65-year-old. “All these people crossing, it’s an invasion.”
Mr Oliveira says the Biden administration “opened the border” and allowed it to happen, referring to the rise in border crossings after Biden came to power.
Encounters between migrants and US Customs and Border Patrol at the US-Mexico border hit a record high in December of 2023 but have fallen sharply since, to a four-year low.
He describes how hard he had to work to get his citizenship, finally “earning” it in 2012. “For me to be a US citizen is a privilege, an honour. I love this country.”Mr Oliveira is confident Trump will put an end to what he calls a border crisis. “You want to come to America? Earn it, like I did.”
Six Trump voters
Trump has vowed to secure the border and deport anyone living in the US illegally. Harris says she would revive a cross-party bill, opposed by Trump, that would expand the authority to deport people and build more border wall.
- Mark Hernandez, 47, Small Business Owner from Texas
Mark runs a small contracting business and says he feels Trump understands the challenges of running a company. “Under Trump, taxes were lower, and business regulations weren’t as heavy. I could focus more on growth rather than worrying about red tape,” he says. Mark believes that Trump’s economic policies helped small business owners like him and sees a second Trump term as a way to “bring back that stability.”
- Susan Lindstrom, 63, Retired Teacher from Ohio
For Susan, it’s Trump’s approach to education that resonates most. “I don’t want federal overreach in our schools,” she explains. Susan says she’s concerned about curriculum changes and believes that Trump would keep education more localized. “He understands that parents know what’s best for their kids, not the government,” she adds, stressing that her vote is for “preserving traditional values in the classroom.”
- Jerome Carter, 29, Veteran from Florida
A former Marine, Jerome says Trump’s support for the military and veterans’ issues is what draws him in. “Under Trump, veterans had more access to resources, and there was a lot of support for the military,” he explains. Jerome believes that Trump’s focus on military funding and his efforts to hold the VA accountable were genuine attempts to support service members and hopes to see those policies return.
- Linda Tran, 52, Nurse from Pennsylvania
Linda, a first-generation American, appreciates Trump’s stance on securing borders. “My parents worked so hard to come here legally, and they taught me to respect this country and its laws,” she shares. Linda feels Trump is serious about maintaining legal pathways for immigrants, while securing borders to protect American jobs and communities. “It’s not about being against immigration; it’s about doing it the right way,” she says.
- David Rogers, 34, Police Officer from Georgia
As a law enforcement officer, David says he’s voting for Trump because he feels supported in his role. “Trump stands up for law enforcement when it’s not popular,” David explains. He worries that rising anti-police sentiment is making it harder for officers to do their jobs safely. For him, Trump’s stance on supporting police departments and pushing for law-and-order policies is reassuring. “It’s about having a president who has our backs,” he adds.
- Patricia Owens, 70, Retiree from Arizona
For Patricia, it’s about national pride and feeling respected on the world stage. “When Trump was in office, I felt like America had a certain strength,” she says. Patricia believes that Trump’s “America First” policies strengthened the U.S. economy and boosted national pride. “It’s about feeling proud of our country again,” she says, adding that she hopes a Trump return will “bring back that confidence.”
For these six Trump voters, their support comes from varied but deeply held beliefs. From economic policies and immigration to support for veterans and law enforcement, they see Trump as a candidate who represents their values and concerns. As the 2024 election approaches, their voices reflect the loyalty of many who believe another Trump term could bring the direction they’re hoping for.
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