As a political outsider in 2016, Donald Trump descended on Washington and shocked the very foundations of US politics, successfully moulding the Republican Party, further propelling then-engaged citizens into an anti-establishment fervour.
He is the first president to be convicted of a crime and yet still maintains claims that he won the election in 2020.
But he remains remarkably popular on the issues the voters most care about: the economy and immigration. Six 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, came to the US from Brazil in the 1980s. But he’s not happy with the number of immigrants coming in 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 said the Biden administration “opened the border” and “let it happen,” referring to a jump in border crossings as soon as Biden entered office.
Crossings by migrants into the US through the US-Mexico border surged to an all-time high in December 2023 but have since plummeted 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 pledged to seal the border and send back home all of those who remain in the US without papers. Harris said she’d revive a bipartisan bill opposed by Trump that would strengthen power to deport and continue building the border wall.
- Mark Hernandez, 47, Small Business Owner from Texas
Mark owns a contracting business. He says he believes Trump understands the difficulties he and other small business owners endure. “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 Trump’s economic policies helped him and other small business owners like him, so he supports 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 is echoing. “I don’t want federal overreach in our schools,” she says. Susan says she fears the change in curriculum and believes that Trump would keep it more localized. “He understands that parents know what’s best for their kids, not the government,” she adds, stressing her vote to preserve traditional values in the classroom.
- Jerome Carter, 29 FL – Veteran
A former Marine, Jerome says he was drawn to Trump’s support for the military and veterans’ issues. “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
A first-generation American, Linda praises Trump for his stance on border control. “My parents worked so hard to get here legally; they taught me to respect this country and its laws,” she says. Linda believes that Trump is dead serious about keeping legal ways of immigration but securing borders to ensure safety for America’s jobs and communities. “It’s not against immigration; it’s doing it the right way,” she says.
- David Rogers, 34. Policeman from Georgia
“The only reason he’s voting for Trump is that he feels supported in his role,” he explains. “Trump stands up for law enforcement when it’s not popular.” He is alarmed by the increasing anti-police sentiment and believes that he has to work harder to perform his job safely. He feels reassured with the stance of Trump for supporting police departments and pushing law-and-order policies. “It’s about having a president who has our backs,” he adds.
- Patricia Owens, 70, of Arizona.
It’s about national pride and being respected on the world stage.” “When Trump was in office, I felt like America had a certain strength,” she says. Patricia says she feels that Trump’s “America First” policies strengthened the U.S. economy and helped heighten national pride. “It is about feeling proud of our country again,” she says. She hopes a return from Trump will “bring back that confidence.”.
Their support comes from a variety of deeply held beliefs-from economic policies and immigration, support for veterans and law enforcement-for these six Trump voters, who believe the man represents their values and concerns. As the election nears in 2024, their voices reflect the loyalty of many who believe another Trump term might bring what they hope for.
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