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.
この記事は The Straits Times の October 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の October 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Jung Ho-yeon takes on Hollywood in Disclaimer
The drama series marks the Squid Game star's first English-speaking role
French pianist Helene Grimaud plays with time
Acclaimed French classical pianist Helene Grimaud, who has earned a reputation for playing by her own rules, thinks there should be no contradiction between freedom and fidelity.
Eisner Award winner submitted her comic as practice
Erica Eng submitted her web comic Fried Rice for the Eisner Awards on a whim in 2020.
Two-time Booker Prize nominee almost gave up writing
Acclaimed Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan has had first-hand encounters with the vagaries of the publishing and book-selling worlds.
A frank, and funny, work about the female body
Cat Bohannon wrote her best-selling non-fiction debut Eve: How The Female Body Drove 200 Million Years Of Human Evolution (2023) while also having two children, completing a doctorate and surviving the Covid-19 pandemic.
SILAT WILL MOVE 'UPHILL'
SSF chief plans to improve governance, selection process and coaching quality
One C'ship lets go of 'a few dozen employees'
Mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation One Championship has laid off a number of employees - including those from its Singapore headquarters - on Oct 16.
EPL pays highest price for injuries
Players in Germany's Bundesliga are most likely to be injured among Europe's top five domestic leagues, but the English Premier League bears the most injury-related costs, according to a report published on Oct 16.
Cantona slams 'scandalous' decision to axe Ferguson
Manchester United's most successful manager Alex Ferguson will step down as a global ambassador after the club's part-owners Ineos ended his multi-million pound contract.
PROFLIGATE PORTUGAL LACK MAGIC: COACH
Martinez's men can't find way past stubborn Scotland, but have one hand on q-final spot