Economic Struggles Influence Shifts in Political Allegiance

Support for Trump Amid Economic Struggles

Two months ago, Javier Barajas welcomed former President Donald J. Trump to his restaurant, Il Toro E La Capra, one of the five establishments he operates in Las Vegas. Mr. Barajas, aged 65, had been an enthusiastic supporter of Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign in 2008 and had even hosted President Biden at one of his other venues. However, this year, he has shifted his allegiance to Trump, driven largely by the staggering rise in prices affecting everything from food ingredients to fuel for his catering truck.

Meanwhile, his nephew, Justin Favela, an accomplished artist specializing in traditional Mexican folk art crafted from colorful tissue paper, found himself at the center of a whirlwind of emotions. As he was busy working on a piece, he began receiving a barrage of confused and upset messages from friends and family who had seen news reports about Trump’s visit splashed across social media and television.

At 38 years old, Mr. Favela shares many of the economic anxieties that plague his uncle. The pressures of soaring rents, escalating costs for art supplies, and burdensome student loans weigh heavily on him, leaving him anxious about his financial future. Despite his reservations, he plans to cast his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, primarily motivated by Trump’s increasingly ominous and racially charged rhetoric aimed at immigrants, including those in his own family.

“I work tirelessly, often 12 hours a day, just to scrape by and manage to pay my rent. The dream of owning a home feels impossibly far away. I believe the Democrats have faltered in their efforts,” Mr. Favela lamented, highlighting the harsh reality of rising expenses in his day-to-day life. He noted that the price of a gallon of glue, an essential material for his artistic creations, has doubled over the past three years, amplifying his stress and concern.

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