Monday morning in Washington DC, It was bright red even though the temperature was below freezing.
I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to enter Capital One Arena, where Donald Trump supporters were diverted as temperatures plummeted. But when I turned on the local news, I saw an endless line of people already there, so I pressed pause. Some people camped overnight.
Among those interviewed was a university student who had fallen down the subway station stairs that morning and split his head open.
She had a bandage on her head like you see in cartoons. But she persevered and continued online – concussions are terrible. A criminal justice major from Arlington, Virginia, wanted to see DJT 47.
Head wounds, knee replacements, bitter cold. There was nothing stopping the MAGA crowd, not even the fact that they wouldn't be able to meet President Trump in person because the parade was canceled. They are like the Deadheads of politics. They follow this guy everywhere and dress up as this guy.
I discovered the line for the arena at 8 o'clock and gave up on finding the end after walking for nearly an hour. Instead, I talked to tough people. Some were dressed like Trump in suits, red ties and hats, while others wore camouflage from head to toe. There was also an elegant mink. Each has their own MAGA flair.
Jake Dee, from Boston, wore a custom red sequin blazer with one of Trump's favorite tweets embroidered on the sleeve. He was disappointed but undaunted by the internal movement of events.
“That's the reality, but we're here to celebrate and support. We're here to have fun. We're feeling positive. We've been here four years. I'm more optimistic than I was before,” Dee said, adding that she admires Trump's “candor” and America First policies.
My friend Cole from Philadelphia wore his own white blazer with “Fight, Fight, Fight” written on the back, “Unburdened” on one sleeve and “Maga Because Day One” on the other sleeve. .
Lee Edwards of Birmingham, Alabama, was wearing new gold Trump high-tops.
He's not a flashy sneaker guy, and he's never considered himself political. But Mr. Edwards, who works in the auto industry, believes President Trump “will revitalize and bring back the auto business.” He had to be here too.
myself? I usually stay away from crowds unless there's a ball involved, but Trump supporters are pretty funny. They are patient and friendly, and have been regularly vilified by the media as Nazis or bigots, as seen after President Trump's massive MSG rally in October.
One fan I spoke with was Jiare Zhu, a Chinese-born Texan who came from Dallas alone, without gloves, for his 25th birthday. “This date felt like destiny,” he said of the timing. “Everyone here is very happy.”
What surprised him? “We expected protesters to come, but I guess they couldn't stand the cold.”
He was right. No resistance was observed.
I saw a group of Pakistani-American men from Scarsdale, New York. One of them, Muhammad Nizami, said he was able to muster up the courage to take to the streets despite his teenage temperature because Trump “is a New Yorker like us.” . He is giving us energy. ” That and his four layers helped him get through.
Canadians Scott and Lori Earle came from Alberta with a custom flag depicting both the American flag and a maple leaf.
“This is the 51st state flag,” Scott said. Admittedly, this weather is no big deal for our neighbors to the north. But why travel in search of such dire conditions when you can do it in your own backyard?
“It's history being made. Trump is the greatest president of all time. He's the GOAT,” Scott said, adding that a strong United States will help Canada.
Another reason Lori loves Trump: “I think he forced Justin Trudeau to resign.”
Finally, as I watched the ceremony in the lobby of the Washington Hilton, I was sitting next to a guy named Dan from Wisconsin. He had knee replacement surgery three weeks ago and was scheduled to walk the parade route using a walker. Instead, he looked inside on crutches and with a giant scar the size of a cowboy hat.
“There was no way I could have missed this. It's history,” he told me. Of course, but so did my fingers after spending so much time outside.
Edwards summed up the day's appeal to many people.
“The whole country is experiencing a cold wave. But it's going to get warmer soon.”
Figuratively or literally?
he said with a laugh. “Everything is going to be very exciting and very warm.”
