(The Lion) — An internationally flavored cadre of President Donald Trump’s supporters exuded hope and optimism at his inauguration last week, despite cold weather and last-minute changes to the ceremony thousands had planned to attend.
The Lion’s Chris Stigall interviewed supporters on the National Mall outside the Capitol and found their spirts high and outlooks bright for America’s future and the world’s.
Greg Donovan from Hollywood, California, went to D.C. to “honor the president,” proudly declaring “the Golden Age of America has arrived!”
Donovan’s No. 1 priority for the incoming administration is securing the border, and he hopes Trump’s second term delivers “goodwill, prosperity and peace on Earth.”
When asked why he traveled all the way from Hollywood, he told Stigall Trump’s inauguration was “bigger than the Super Bowl, the Oscars, the Olympics, even Taylor Swift all put together.” And despite being a little disappointed the ceremony was moved inside the Capitol, he was still delighted to be there in support of the incoming president.
A Ukrainian man in attendance told Stigall he was back to “celebrate” again after having attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2016.
“It’s a lot, because it’s a change of times. I mean, because all the trouble we had in Ukraine was linked to the previous administration,” he said when asked what Trump’s historic win means to him. “So, it’s a big hope coming back and, you know, we really, really, really hope for a change for good.”
Ultimately, he said the Ukrainian people were experiencing “hard times” but are “willing to find peace, which is not possible without the support of the United States.
“We really hope for President Trump and for all the people of the United States to support us and to finally reach the better times, to make people feel safe because we’ve lost so many lives there.”
A Canadian gave his thoughts on Trump’s recent quips about making Canada the 51st state.
“I see it as a way of putting pressure on our prime minister, to change his policies and the government too,” he replied. “Because the prime minister has been there for eight or nine years almost, and he damaged so much, the relation between Canada and the United States, and also Canada’s policy. So, we are hoping that the pressure that Mr. Trump is putting would bring a change too, in Canada.”
Trump voter Mileen from Houston, Texas, who is originally from Cameroon, said she traveled to D.C. for the inauguration to “feel the spirit of winning.”
“The future of our country. … Trump don’t [act] like a dictator. You know, those people that stay in the head of the country for so long,” she said when describing why people in Cameroon were paying attention to the election in the U.S. “And in Cameroon, we have a man that’s stayed there for almost 40 years. We are tired to see him. I was born and he was there. So, until today he’s still there. You can’t do that to people. The country’s going so bad. So, I know things are going to change…
“Every president should work for his country and people. … I voted for Donald Trump because he’s for America. He said, ‘America comes first.’ So, he’s for his people. And I like that! So, he’s here to work for America! He shows to every president that you should work for your people. And you don’t have to worry expecting him to go off to war. No! He works for his people!
“I have my children here. I want a good future for them ,and he’s here working for American people, for the country, making people safe. Who wouldn’t like that? Me? I like that!”
Now living in Houston, she also believes border security is a priority and hopes Trump will fulfill his promises to close the border and stop the tidal wave of illegal aliens that has brought crime and drugs with it.
An Israeli student named Rhotem from New York University was there with the hope Trump will continue to help make progress in the Israel-Hamas war.
“I’m here to support and appreciate Trump and all of his activity, all of his team’s activities for Israel,” she said.
When asked about the recent release of some Israeli hostages, she expressed gratitude and optimism the other 90-plus hostages would be home soon.
“Trump promised us on election day all the hostages [would be] back home, and one day before he’s sitting in the White House three of [the hostages were] back home. I’m here to appreciate.”
While she stopped short of saying she thought peace could be possible in the Middle East, she noted Trump’s victory is a major step in the right direction.
“Donald Trump has a good relationship with Israel. Everyone knows that, and that has to continue. I don’t know if peace around us can be realistic. But Donald Trump can do a lot of things for Israel, and we support him.”
Stigall spoke to a man from Hawaii who was there to support Trump, hoping his arrival ushers in a new era of prosperity similar to his first term.
“The cost of living in Hawaii. You don’t get the help from the local government or the federal government. Prices have gone up. Wages have stayed the same and people just want some change. When Donald Trump was in office before, gas prices were low, people could put savings away, maybe take a vacation. You know? Now, it’s just everybody’s pinching pennies.”
