MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – On a snowy day, supporters of former US President Donald Trump gathered in Manchester, New Hampshire for what promised to be his biggest campaign rally yet in the state’s primary elections. These devoted followers, waiting in freezing temperatures, viewed Trump as the savior of American democracy, despite the warnings that his potential nomination in 2024 could jeopardize the democratic process. They wholeheartedly believed that it was President Joe Biden who resembled an autocrat, while Trump defended the constitutional republic.
Trump has long employed a strategy in which he deflects accusations against him by turning them on his accusers. This tactic has resonated with his supporters, who believe that the opposing side is guilty of the very things they accuse Trump of. They feel that Biden is running the country like a dictator, citing executive orders as evidence. According to Steve Baird, a chief financial officer and Trump supporter, Trump connects with the people and upholds the constitution more than the current establishment.
Trump’s performance during the 2016 presidential election debate, where he responded to being called a “puppet” of Russian President Vladimir Putin by accusing the accuser, demonstrates his mastery of this strategy. He has continued to use this tactic in his political rhetoric, redefining terms like “fake news” and “threat to democracy” to fit his narrative. To his followers, the media is corrupt and anti-Trump, while the real threat to democracy lies in the radical left’s agenda.
The events of the January 6 insurrection, in which over 1,200 people have been charged and nearly 900 convicted or pleaded guilty, demonstrate the effectiveness of Trump’s messaging. Despite the criminal charges, Trump portrays these individuals as “patriots” and has even hinted at pardoning them. His strategy, amplified by rightwing media, has permeated the grassroots level, as evidenced by the thousands of Trump supporters at the Manchester rally who view him as the defender of democracy.
Supporters like Derek Levine, a commercial airline pilot and military veteran, reject the notion that Trump is a dictator. They see Biden as the one weaponizing the FBI and labeling concerned parents as domestic terrorists. These sentiments are echoed by Jenna Driquier, a hairdresser, who believes the country is living under a dictatorship and straying from its founding principles.
The struggle over perception extends to the language used to frame the debate. While Biden and his allies emphasize the need to protect democracy, Trump has co-opted the word, rendering it almost meaningless. He perpetuates a false equivalence between himself, a former president with decades of experience, and an alleged attempted coup. At the rally, Trump proclaimed Biden to be a threat to democracy due to his alleged incompetence.
During his speech, Trump took shots at his primary rivals, with specific focus on Nikki Haley. He accused Haley of being loved by Democrats, Wall Street, and globalists. It was a calculated move to undermine her support in her home state. Trump also invited officials from South Carolina, including Governor Henry McMaster, as a show of force against Haley, suggesting her candidacy may not be as strong as initially perceived.
As Trump addressed various topics, some of his remarks raised concerns about his authoritarian tendencies. He argued that presidents should be immune from criminal prosecution after leaving office, a defense his lawyers are employing in his election subversion trial. He also criticized the media as “sick people” who need to be dealt with. He idolized Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán and commented on the benefits of having a “strong man” leading a country. Trump’s speech ended with references to the January 6 rioters as “hostages,” leaving his audience satisfied.
The Manchester rally provided insight into Trump’s influence and the steadfast support he commands from his followers. This fervent loyalty remains a pivotal factor in the political landscape leading up to the 2024 election, where the battle for democracy is being waged according to his supporters. Trump’s ability to masterfully reframe accusations and project himself as the defender of constitutional values ensures that his influence will continue to shape political discourse in the United States.