GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump made a campaign stop at Richmond’s International Raceway tonight and it brought few surprises, but an interesting look at local concerns.
GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump made a campaign stop at Richmond’s International Raceway tonight and it brought few surprises, but an interesting look at local concerns.
Yes, there were chants, and there was lots of “make America great again!”
Yes, he spoke of the importance of building a wall between America and Mexico – “Illegal immigration. Important, we’re going to build the wall, okay, believe me.”
Yes, he talked about China: “I love China, the people are great. They buy my apartments for 50 million dollars all the time, how could I dislike them?”
Yes, he commented on the current state of America: “We’re like a third world country.”
He managed to insult Hilary and other candidates, some from his own party, currently vying for the Commander in Chief seat.
A protest against Trump also unfolded in the crowd mid-speech which yielded shrieks and boos from his loyal fans, but we’ll have more on that tomorrow.
But in the crowd, real voters shared their own outlook on the issues with us in a few interviews.
Tyron Cleveland, 26, came from his hometown of Verina to hear Trump. Wearing a trump sticker, thrust upon him by a Trump fan, Cleveland said he wasn’t necessarily a supporter of the Apprentice star.
“I just want to hear what he has to say,” he said. “I’m just listening to all the [candidates]. I watched the [democratic] debate yesterday I’ve been keeping up with the republicans. I’m just trying to get a good idea of where everybody’s coming from.”
A self-described independent, Cleveland said he doesn’t vote along party lines.
A quality about Trump that stuck out to him was the candidate’s unrestricted manner of speech.
“Politicians often mask what they feel,” Cleveland said. “With trump, you get what he gives. If he wants to say something, he’s gonna say it. It might not be the most correct thing, but you know that’s what he’s saying.”
“Personally, I’m a blunt person,” he said relating to the candidate, but admitting he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with hime either. “I kind of connect with his bluntness, but I don’t always agree with the things that he says.”
An actual trump supporter, Lenny Satisky came to support a man he said he’d be a fan of for some time.
“I’m a big fan of Don’s and I want to see him be the next president.”
A new resident to Virginia, Satisky said he moved to Glen Allen about a month ago from New Jersey – but Trump’s Jersey ties didn’t play a role in his fandom.
The small business consultant said illegal immigration was his top concern during the 2016 election – something Trump spoke about in full force.
“I understand were a nation of immigrants, but legally,” Satisky said. “We have a process here for immigration and you need to go through it regardless of your circumstance.”
Trumps outspoken nature also appealed to Staticky, saying Trump represented a change in a government that needs shaking up.
“I think he’s gonna create a fear in some of our enemies… I think he’s gonna let people around the world know that America’s here and not to be messed with.”
He stressed Trumps celebrity background didn’t play a role in his support, but rather the candidates business history helped single him out above the crowded GOP field.
“He’s very good at organizing people and companies, and I think he’s gonna put together one of the strongest cabinets we’ll ever see.”
While the few people we spoke to remained fairly level headed through their interviews, long time Richmond resident and retired master craftsman wood worker Jessie Harvey (top image), 70, spoke more passionately about a Trump Presidency.
“I’ve had pride and respect for all of our governments for the last 15-20 years,” Harvey said. “It’s come to the point and time none of the democrats, none of them, do what they say they are gonna do…”
Trump’s opening argument about immigration resinated heavily with the retired craftsman, who said he saw first hand when immigrants took work from their American counterparts.
“American contractors would put bids on jobs, and foreigners would come in and bid lower and they’d get the jobs.” He said referencing a pattern he started to notice around 2008. He said he supported Trump’s plan to “build a wall,” as well as putting a 35% tax on any imports coming back into the US.
“If any company moves out of the US and takes their business elsewhere, make them take their corporate office with them,” he said.
Towards the end of our interview, Harvey spoke most clearly about his hope for the 2016 race – a candidate who’s ready to bring a new voice and new rules to Washington.
“I love Donald trump,” he said. “The ones up there running now, the republicans running now, the democrats running, they promised us all this business stuff, they’re up there saying the same, identical things. We don’t need no more of that. Give me a fresh man, give me a man with some sense which is what we need.”
