On Thursday, April 25, there was a rally. A gathering, political in nature, and wholly larger than any political movement in recent memory... You can probably see where I am going with this - Donald Trump. The golden-haired dignitary paid a visit to Costa Mesa, California last week, bringing with him his trademark bravado and rowdy oration. Of course, when my friend told me about the event earlier that day, I was elated - not because I was eager to construct a wall around our southern border, but because I finally had a chance to see what it was like the inside of one of these rallies. I finally could get a glimpse into the workings of a typical Trump supporter. And when all is said and done, it was quite a surreal experience. What transpired was some kind of steaming amalgamation of ultranationalism, explosive passions, humor and even hate (coming from both within Trump's following and without).
As I courted my car through masses of meandering attendees, it certainly felt larger than life. Among the workers directing traffic, the fervorous crowds of supporters making their pilgrimages to the event, and the even more fervent mobs protesting on the sidelines, all shepherded by a horse-mounted police officer, I felt like a part of something bigger - a movement, modern history in the making. And I suppose that's what attracts many people to Trump. He is larger than life, and his bombastic campaign has attracted a colossal amount of attention, unlike anything to come out of the political sphere in recent memory. It's got not involved people coming out of hiding, and embracing what feels like the rise of actual change, and the end of the establishment. People are coming to see him who aren't necessarily going to vote for him, but who just want to witness the fuss. The line to get into the venue was accordingly incredible, stretching as far as you could see in either direction and carrying all manners of people. Reporters, families, shouting supporters. And no shortage of "Hillary For Prison" shirts. Hey, they make me laugh. Naturally, they accompanied many "Make America Great Again" hats, and "The Silent Majority Stands With Trump" signs.
I will say, though, that the event was rather poorly organized. It was blind luck that my friend and I were able to get in, as two sweet ware-peddlers who had been walking the line (there was a lot of Trump merchandise surrounding the event) explained to a group of people how they noticed the rally workers giving out wristbands. These wristbands were supposedly the new way to get in, and the tickets we ordered online were now meaninglessness. Great. So I went off to the front of the line, to see what was up, and by chance saw that there were two entrances into the venue, one harboring that ginormous line, and the other relatively empty. I was pretty confused. But by the time I started to see the hive-mind taking notice of this new hidden entrance, I was caught up in the center of a frenzied stampede. Luckily, one mad dash and a frantic call to my friend (whom I'd left back in the line while I investigated) later, we both found ourselves safely inside. The festivities had begun.
To our surprise, the Trump rally was rather tame. Sure, there were some zealous fans here and there, but most of the people around us seemed to be rational people. Of course, it was hard to tell who was there as a legitimate Trump supporter, or who was there just for the novelty. Soon enough, a tiny suit-clad man walked up to the podium, interrupting the pleasantries of "Tiny Dancer" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (which, if you've been keeping up with the Rolling Stones, won't be making an appearance at any future Trump rallies). It was hard to identify the man from our seats, which were farther back. Whoever he was, he was just there to hype up the crowd, as he reiterated Trump's promises of wall-mediated immigration reform and a restoration of greatness. Soon enough, he left the stage, paving the way for the man of the hour. And when Trump arrived, he came. "Start Me Up" blared across the stadium, and an assortment of flashing lights adorned the stage with some patriotic red, white and blue, all while Trump strutted toward the podium. For the next two hours, it was roughly a constant stream of words - whatever Trump could talk about, he did.
Standing there, in the midst of the crowd, my understandings of the appeal of Trump were finally taking shape. He doesn't spend too much time talking about policies but spares not one minute belittling his opponents or traveling down long, winding anecdotal stories. At times you start to wonder how exactly you got there - one minute, he is responding to whatever Cruz has recently proclaimed, the next he is bashing the press, all before he interjects to share a story about a WW1-era general who doused ammunition with pig's blood before executing Muslims. It can be confusing to follow or even entirely process, but as those who work with people for a living will tell you, it's not what you say that the other person will remember, but how you make them feel. And his speech was had no shortage of humor or standout moments - my favorites being his mocking impression of Jeb Bush, and the time when the crowd was wildly starting chanting "Lyin' Ted! Lyin' Ted!"
It was amusing for the most part, and this kind of thing is what makes people feel jingoistic and patriotic. As leagues of chanting supporters yell for the removal of some protestors, it becomes evident the sort of crowd-mentality Trump brings about. This idea of being included in a community which calls out all who oppose it is the heart of nationalism and people like to feel like what they've got better than the other people. You've most likely heard the narrative that Trump is appealing to the nation's fear and hatred before, and that certainly carried precedent at the rally. But it is also a staunch patriotism and feeling of power in the crowd (and power against the establishment) that plays into it too. Then they're his attacks on the other candidates - some people will think his mud slinging to be unsportsmanlike or even outright detestable, but to somebody sitting in that crowd, it's simply funny. Trump is calling it as it is, and making a joke out of the other candidates in the process. I certainly laughed at times, because some of the things he says are simply ridiculous. But people are getting behind that, because it makes him about to be the candidate you'd want to grab some drinks with, in contrast to the properness of some of the other candidates. These are the type of things that are drawing people around him, at least from what I saw and concluded that night.
All good things must come to an end, however, and my friend and I decided to leave early to escape the rush that would ensue in about 20 minutes. I had to hustle between the sign-wielding protesters to make it back to my car, and already I could see the beginnings of the near-riots that would make it on to the news the next day. Cars were jammed at the intersection right by where I was parked, and the junction itself was filled with rowdy demonstrators. Things were getting bad. As I left, there were about two times where a squad of cop cars passed on the opposite of the road, speeding back in the direction of the event. I didn't see it myself, but someone else I knew who attended the event recanted how a car was doing donuts in the blocked streets, and a cop car was even smashed. All this violence was unbelievable, and it no doubt only goes to support Trump's cause among his supporters. This outrage for Trump and against Trump raises some interesting questions, however: What does this mean for America? What does this say about America? There is a division at every turn. I don't have all the solutions myself, but going forward, things are only going to get more intense and more divisive. As Americans, there is going to come a time where we need to re-evaluate.
Regardless, these are all musings made in the wake of a Trump rally. If you want to see this for yourself, I encourage you to make a visit. And actually, I encourage everyone to be a lot more involved in the country's politics. This election is exciting and all, but real change comes at a ground level, within your district and beyond. And finally, I hope this account of the rally has brought some insight, either into the world of antiestablishmentarianism and misinformation or the potential future of our country.
