On November 6, the nation awoke to the news that Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. While nearly half of America was in shock and grief, the winning half pretended like Donald Trump received an unanimous vote and is entitled to wreak havoc on our “liberal democracy.” It’s not my intention in this short piece to reflect on the reasons that Trump won, or to speculate on what will happen in the next four years of his term. It represents my struggle to make sense of it all.
While in Alabama, I mustered up the courage to visit a Trump Merch Mart to see for myself how his supporters were celebrating and reflecting on his victory. I somehow feel like this is the first step in mustering the courage to endure the reporting of how the future will unfold. I know one thing for certain after my visit, “they” think that we are the enemy, as we think “they” are the enemy. This hostility will not settle down any time soon. Somehow, the election results have given half of the country the right to defame the other. The makings, perhaps, of a civil war.
Among the white working class, there are several factors that amaze me in Trump’s campaign and victory. First, the conflation of Trump with Jesus and, secondly, the MAGA’s unrelenting hatred and demonIzing of the Democrats. I suspect this follows with the Christian view of Satan as the enemy of the people, where the democrats are a satanic force and the Republicans the force of good. It’s not that red and blue. And tell me, while the Christian Right aligned itself with Trump, where does the “Fuck Joe Biden” come from.
At this Merch Mart, the Trump banners fly in the breeze above a small souvenir tent and a large wrap adorns the side of a trailer —Trump thumbs up with Make America Great Again. Word is out well in advance of the inauguration that Trump is already at work to repair all of the broken parts of our nation and the world. He will end all wars, deport undocumented workers by millions, pardon the conspirators and participants in the Sept 6, 2002 insurrection, lower all taxes, bring on the tariffs, increase American manufacturing, and humble all who are not loyal to him. (And then there’s the despicable Elon Musk, high on himself and Ketamine, swagging onto the scene like a renegade entrepreneur who will turn our country into GovX.)
I think the shock that many of us had following the election is that Trump’s brand celebrity status as a reality TV star, a “millionaire” real estate developer, as well as his sexism, racism and fear of transgenders, pushed him over the line to victory with so many gullible Americans supporting him. (Note, I did not say deplorable.)
On this December day, on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I have a veteran selling me Trump swag and other souvenirs. He’s proud of his association with Trump; he’s looking forward to the next 4 great years, to this Christ-like figure returning to earth, to the sheriff returning to restore law and order. He feels safe. He feels vindicated. And he’s making money off of Trump’s victory selling nothing more than quirky slogans on caps, T-shirts and other tchotchkes.
It’s a rude awakening. So now we must figure out how to stay tuned in without being cynical, aloof without being disengaged, and compassionate without being too ideological. Is it indeed “Made In America?” I’m not sure. The salesman claimed that all of his merchandise is made in America. I bought a T-Shirt with a crown of thorns on a cross and an American flag with a slogan, “Jesus is Savior, Trump is President.” At home, I looked carefully at the tag and it clearly reads Made In Haiti. Now, I’m asking, should I take it back and tell him it’s made by the people who are not Americans but have come here and eat our cats and eat our dogs. Indeed, this whole thing is like a bad dream and I’m wondering what we’ll do when we wake up.