Trump rally in heart of liberal California draws thousands

Attendees a diverse group, whose top concerns include cost of living and crime

- Alison de Souza

COACHELLA, California – When Donald Trump took the stage at a rally in the desert city of Coachella on Oct 12 to stirring patriotic music, the crowd leapt to its feet.

Many were screaming "U-S-A, U-S-A" and "fight, fight, fight", which they continued to do throughout Trump's rambling hour-long speech, the latter refrain having become the Republican presidential nominee's de facto battle cry after his ear was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Pennsylvania in July.

Thousands had gathered for this Trump rally in the unlikeliest of locations – Democrat-leaning California, a state he has little chance of winning – just 3½ weeks before the presidential elections.

But as though challenging the stereotype of Trump's base being white, non-college educated and male, they were a diverse lot: professionals, business owners, families with young children, along with blacks, Asians and Latinos.

"They think we're a bunch of racists or white supremacists, but look around – you see all sorts of people here," said Mr John Backen, the 54-year-old owner of a construction business.

The key issues for Trump's supporters this election are increases in the cost of living, illegal immigration and crime, followed by concerns about censorship and some of the "woke" social policies promoted by Democrats.

Polls are showing a tight race between Trump and the Democratic candidate, Vice-President Kamala Harris, in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and Georgia.