How to explain Donald Trump’s ascendancy? If you follow the standard election analysis, his victory was largely spurred by the financial pain and fears of poor and rural Americans. But if you look closer, Trump voters are more financially secure than a lot of us thought.
As a recent immigrant to the US, I’ve been fascinated by Trump’s incredible rise. But it’s the motivations of well-off Trump backers which fascinate me the most. I’d heard much about the working class or dwindling middle class credited with bringing the real estate mogul victory. But what about those who described themselves as affluent?
I started to look for voters who would fit this bill, and hope to follow them throughout the next four years to chart whether their support will wane or strengthen over time.
Of those I interviewed, many feared backlash if they talked openly. All said admitting backing Trump marked you as racist, sexist and possibly stupid. Some, such as a Los Angeles private jet entrepreneur and a Miami hotelier, agreed to interviews and then reneged, wary of hurting their livelihoods. But those who participated justified their ballot choice passionately and defiantly.
Here are some of their views, in their own words.
‘I expect him to build that wall’
Cathy O’Dell Town, notary, Orange County, California
The level of hatred out there is unprecedented. She [Hillary Clinton] called us terrible names. She attacked Trump’s supporters. But we took it as a badge of honor. We became that basket of deplorables. I said: “I’m deplorable and proud of it.” When he won, I tweeted to my followers, “thank you for being brave”. It took courage to vote for him.
I have the right as an American citizen to support whomever I want – I can support Satan if I want. The thing is, I respect you for your opinion but you must respect me for mine. People said to me, “What’s the matter with you? You’re a racist, you’re a hater, how can you support him?” Then they start getting emotional and shouting and going in directions that make no sense. And I just say, “I can support whomever I please. I’m an American.”