Text size
Video by Cecilia Sanchez
“If someone shot Trump, I would be the first one to jump and try to get in the line of fire to save his life,” said Donald Owen, a supporter of the Republican candidate for the White House.
Like many of the Republican’s supporters present Tuesday at Trump’s first rally since the second alleged assassination attempt against him, the 71-year-old retiree from Michigan (north) “fears” another attack on his idol.
And he volunteers “to try to save him” in case of tragedy.
Interviewed by AFP in the small town of Flint, the former automaker is convinced that the candidate’s “life” is “worth more” than his own.
He is wearing a T-shirt with an image of Trump, his fist raised and a bleeding ear, in reference to the first assassination attempt against the billionaire in July.
Owen blames “the Democrats.”
“They want to kill Trump so he can’t try to get a second term,” says the septuagenarian, without evidence.
A theory fueled by the Republican candidate himself, who attributed his alleged assassination attempt on Sunday to the “rhetoric” of his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden.
“They’re doing everything they can to stop him because they know he’s going to win,” adds John Russell, before running into the sports complex where the rally is being held.
The fifty-something, wearing a cowboy hat and a white T-shirt with the word “Trump” written on it, nevertheless believes in the Republican candidate’s ability to survive everything because “God is watching over him.”
This resident of the neighboring state of Illinois appreciates the candidate’s program and personality so much that he dedicates days of his vacation to attend Trump’s rallies.
The former president’s campaign rally in Michigan (one of the six or seven states that will likely decide the outcome of the November 5 presidential election) marks his 25th.
Under Donald Trump, “everything was better,” says the 53-year-old. “There was no war and the border was closed,” he says.
“He’s a man of the people,” says Rachelle Cooper, who is preparing to meet for the first time the man she has supported since 2016.
Do you think it is dangerous to participate in a rally in these times? “I am not afraid,” says this woman who works in a courtroom. For the occasion she is wearing a T-shirt in the colors of the local baseball team.
There are security guards “so we feel protected,” explains Cooper, 42.
Todd Faulkner is also “not afraid,” but believes it is time for “both sides to calm down.”
“We’re seeing too much hate right now,” laments the 53-year-old independent voter, one of the few who recognises that Donald Trump is also fuelling the climate of political tension.
“I don’t like everything he says,” the man confesses, as the crowd shouts “Fight! Fight!”
But this will not stop her from voting for him in the November elections. “After two assassination attempts” in two months “he is still standing,” so “we must give him credit,” she says.
cjc/cyb/erl/cjc
