Supporters Gather for Trump’s Rally in Milwaukee
The atmosphere outside Donald Trump’s rally at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Arena was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating the former president’s arrival. Despite the early hour, smiles abounded, and laughter filled the air, with some attendees even enjoying a beer as they made their way towards the 18,000-seat venue. Many of the Wisconsinites present were not overly optimistic about the country’s future, but when it came to the election, their spirits were surprisingly high.
“He’s got the votes, and although the Democrats will try to stop him with some fake votes,” remarked Holly, a retail worker in her early 30s. “Trump is gonna Trump them.” Milwaukee stands as a solidly Democratic city within a crucial swing state. The narrow margins that defined Trump’s win in 2016 and Biden’s in 2020 suggest that this year’s election will be fiercely contested, with polling indicating a close race ahead.
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Nonetheless, the Trump supporters Euronews spoke to at the rally were overwhelmingly confident, with some even predicting he would secure both the state and the national vote. One enthusiastic supporter estimated that Trump could garner between 55-60% of the nationwide vote, a figure that diverges significantly from mainstream polling but would position him as the most successful presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1984. This individual, who chose to remain anonymous, was selling unofficial T-shirts emblazoned with provocative slogans like “Kamala isn’t black, Joe has dementia.” When asked about the possibility of Harris winning, his demeanor shifted, and he replied, “Prices’ll go up,” before walking away. “I see maybe some females being happier, but otherwise, f* that s*.”
Gender Dynamics and Voter Concerns
Despite Trump’s historical challenges with female voters, particularly in light of his role in appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, the crowd at the rally appeared to be well-balanced in terms of gender. However, the presence of misogynistic merchandise was hard to ignore, with T-shirts and slogans that objectified women and promoted derogatory views towards Harris. A man dressed in a ketchup-red suit and sporting an orange wig paraded through the crowd, shouting slogans like “It’s MAGA time, b*h.”
Outside the arena, a woman selling more subdued merchandise expressed her rationale for supporting Trump, focusing on his policies rather than animus towards the opposition. “I think he’s gonna win,” she said, highlighting her belief that Trump had positively influenced the cost of living through fracking. “And if Harris does win, I’ll be worried about these unvetted immigrants coming in. Not that immigration’s bad, but you need to know who’s actually coming into the country.”
Linda, a suburban grandmother in her late 50s, echoed similar sentiments, attributing her support to economic concerns. “People are tired of paying exorbitant prices for everything — groceries, gasoline, food, medical services; it’s all outrageous,” she lamented. “It happened with this last administration.” Although inflation rates have been decreasing and the U.S. economy shows strength in various sectors, concerns about rising costs remain at the forefront of voters’ minds.
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Linda’s opinions on Harris were complex, filled with suspicion and conspiracy. “She’s a Marxist, that’s what I think. She’s just repeating everything from the Obama administration; it’s not even genuine,” she claimed. “If you notice, when she’s interviewed — if it’s spontaneous and she doesn’t have notes, she struggles to answer questions because she doesn’t truly understand what’s going on.” Linda even referenced an unverified claim about Harris sustaining a head injury years ago, suggesting that her laughter stems from this incident. Despite Euronews’ attempts, no credible articles were found to support this assertion. Nevertheless, Trump’s criticisms of Harris’ speaking style have been consistent, often referring to her as “laughing Kamala” and ridiculing her demeanor at rallies.
Harris Supporters’ Optimism Amid Concerns
In stark contrast, the mood at Kamala Harris’ rally in Atlanta was characterized by a sense of urgency and determination. As supporters cheered under the sweltering sun, conversations with attendees revealed a more cautious outlook regarding the upcoming election. While some expressed optimism about the impressive early voting numbers in Georgia, others voiced concerns about the potential for election interference, recalling the controversies surrounding the previous election.
Evangeline, who has worked at ballot drop-off locations during early voting, pointed out the significant turnout: “Four million of us have already voted, and we’re only about 10 million altogether,” she noted, celebrating the record rate of ballot returns. Despite her optimism, she warned, “Don’t forget they tried to steal the vote in this state last time. They’re going to try it again if she wins.” John, a seasoned Democratic activist, shared similar apprehensions, fearing potential manipulation in the interval between the election and the certification of the results.
“It’s a perilous time. It’ll be fraught with all kinds of potential skulduggery on their side. We must remain vigilant,” he cautioned. John expressed concern that a narrow Trump win could lead to the Supreme Court allowing state legislatures to overturn the popular vote. “Our only hope is if Kamala Harris can win by a sufficiently large margin in enough states that it becomes difficult to do that,” he concluded.
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Imagining the Consequences of a Trump Victory
When asked about the implications of a potential Trump victory, supporters from both sides were hesitant to confront the possibility. Elderly Harris supporters in Atlanta were visibly distressed at the mere suggestion of a Trump win, with one stating, “Well, what can we do?” John articulated a more somber perspective, describing another Trump term as a threat to democracy itself. “There were predictions in 2016 that if he got into the White House, he would never leave, attempting to become president for life,” he warned.
Back in Milwaukee, Holly’s response to the possibility of Trump losing was stark and foreboding. “I think there will be a civil war,” she said without hesitation. “Our nation is already divided, and it’s only going to become more fragmented. What happens if there’s a conflict with a foreign country? The United States will rely on her to be the commander in chief?” When asked what she would do if that situation arose, her answer was straightforward: “Leave. Somewhere where it’s English-speaking, not as expensive to live. Italy. Iceland. I’ve heard great things about Finland.”
