At noon on Monday, Donald Trump will take office as president of the United States for a second term, a political comeback unrivaled in American history. The traditional trappings of power, including balls and galas, will be accompanied by the wealthy elite taking selfies. However, it’s the hard-working people of America who made this happen.
I traveled the country, talking to everyday working people, including nurses, cops, plumbers, and waitresses, and knew Trump would win because they demanded it. These individuals were concerned about prices being too high and the border being a national security threat. In Springfield, Ohio, they were worried about being overrun by migrants, leading to housing shortages and community destruction.
In other parts of the country, business owners, including those who identify as Democrats, were struggling and willing to give Trump a chance. In San Francisco, Democrats near the end of their rope were willing to try anything. In Chicago, union workers were terrified of Kamala Harris’ incompetence and the Democratic Party’s promise of more but delivering less, leading them to support Trump.
Trump’s victory is not a mystery; it’s the natural conclusion of a Biden presidency that consistently put the American people and their interests last. Trump will be an improvement on the economy, diplomacy, and justice, which is why he was elected.
As the Trump administration takes power, a word of caution is in order. The people who elected Donald Trump are not fans of the wealthy elite and their promises to control their lives. It’s the truck drivers, movers, and construction workers who put Trump in office, not the billionaires. These everyday workers won’t be at the galas or hobnobbing with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
The incoming Trump administration has a generational opportunity to make the country better for working men and women, but it must remember who put them in power and why. With 60% of Americans optimistic about the incoming administration, there is real hope for a better future.