No matter the turbulence experienced in his campaign, Donald Trump will always be able to count on the pure-blooded Republicans of Texas, who will roll out the carpet for him – red, of course! — until the November elections. Foray into the Grand Old Party (GOP) Convention, a Republican high mass which takes place this year in San Antonio, in the heart of a Democratic city.
“ Guns save lives “, “ JESUS is my savior, TRUMP is my president “, “ Finish the wall “. On tights, caps, mugs, teddy bears and other merchandise glorifying Donald Trump. Ultraconservative slogans are everywhere. And there are even more Texas Republican Party supporters who revere them.
“Why is it important for us to be here?” Because we don’t want to end up like your country! » says Nitsie Elliott laughing, wearing a blue-white-red sequined hat, in the colors of the Lone Star, the Texan flag.
In the main hall of the San Antonio convention center, a mother and two little sandwich men, no more than 6 or 7 years old, walk around with their yellow signs “ Abolish abortion » and distribute leaflets. All around, it buzzes with supporters of a certain age – young people are rare – who are overflowing with patriotic fervor.
Kathy Ward photographs herself in front of the large elephant statue, symbol of the GOP. “I vote for Trump because he knows how to manage the economy,” says this tall blonde. To illustrate inflation, she says she has observed the price of her dry shampoo since Joe Biden was in power. “In four years, it went from $7.99 to $12.99! I know it’s a luxury product, but still,” she notes.
“In the line at the grocery store the other day, a lady told me that she had to choose between paying for her medication or paying for her groceries. It broke my heart. You understand, that’s what’s happening here. And it was Biden who let that happen,” she adds.
An air of fair
Upon entering the exhibitors’ lounge, we observe that there is a village fair atmosphere.
While the smell of popcorn tickles the nostrils, we see on the left a hologram of Donald Trump wiggling and kissing the American flag next to a kiosk filled with souvenirs bearing his image. Further away, delegates laugh while playing Biden Bashera “whack-a-mole” skill game that involves tapping President Joe Biden’s little plastic heads with a hammer as they emerge from their holes.
But Texas Republicans aren’t here to have fun. “Are you from a conservative media outlet?” » asks a participant to whom The duty kindly hands over the microphone for an interview. Before turning on her heel, annoyed, she explains that it’s not a “ freak show “, that the “media” are all Democrats and that they only publish quotes out of context that make them look bad. ” It’s not against you, but you know…”
Despite everything, the vast majority of members of the Republican Party of Texas will not hesitate to pose for the photographer’s camera. Duty Adil Boukind and to answer questions from the media. “We Texans have no filter. We say what we think,” argues activist Melanie Thomas.
Preaching to the Converted
Further in the room, participants mill around dozens of kiosks set up on the scarlet carpet. At first glance, the GOP Convention exhibitor lounge doesn’t seem that different from those at major trade shows. Affable, with a smile plastered on their faces, the Republicans are in good shape.
Opponents of the legalization of cannabis — “ Don’t California my Texas » — hold a kiosk next to two nice retirees who provide information on conversion therapy. Further on, the kiosk of Gun Owners of America, a pro-gun lobby, offers slogans that are at the very least explosive: “ SHOOT BACK ” or “ It’s a right! Not a privilege “.
At her table, Deirdre Cooper of the Texas Alliance for Life shows off rubber fetuses of various sizes. “This one is at 12 weeks. You can take it,” says this mother of 10 children, whose youngest, three months old, sleeps in a stroller.
Although abortion has been banned in Texas since the summer of 2022, except when the mother’s life is in danger, she fears the law could be weakened. “There are some who want to add exceptions,” she explains. And the Democratic Party has become so “extreme” on abortion that some of its “pro-life” supporters have become Republicans, she notes. “The climate is very divided. »
Author of the book Jesus and Politics, Bunni Pounds provides biblical and… civic education. “We should all be able to pray and vote,” she said. This is the basis. » After running for Congress herself, she founded Christians Engaged to train the next generation. “We simply want to encourage people who believe in God not to abandon government. » This, she believes, is “the best way to love your neighbor”.
Less popular, the GOP?
Inside the large room where the assembly is held, the floor of thousands of chairs is half empty. In front of the stage, a few delegates line up behind the various microphones to discuss changes to the regulations. The “ays” and “no”s shouted by the delegates act as votes. “A man is a man and a woman is a woman. I don’t see why we should specify the word “organic”,” says a man in a cowboy hat, a revolver at his waist.
It was in this same room, even less crowded, that Ted Cruz was welcomed like a rock star during the last day of the convention, just after the national anthem and the usual prayers. Local media report that the number of participants — some 7,000 this year — is lower than before.
“It’s an election year, so there are a few more people, but it’s down,” slips into Duty a reporter from Dallas. Even as major sponsors, like Pepsi and Verizon, have deserted the Grand Old Party, the number of companies and donors has fallen to its lowest level in at least a decade, according to the Texas Tribune.
To reward the champions of Make America Great Again, a few headliners came for a spin. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and state Attorney General Ken Paxton were better received than Senator John Cornyn, who did not speak publicly and kept a low profile under his cap. Disturbed by his positions calling for better gun control, some radical activists even took him to task in the trade show.
On the other hand, Governor Greg Abbott was content with a video message to his supporters and Donald Trump was conspicuous by his absence.
As I left the convention center in the sweltering San Antonio heat, Richard Carron approached me and asked if I was a biased reporter like all the others. “Donald Trump is not a threat to the United States,” he gently emphasized. We just want him to return to power to prove it. »
With Adil Boukind
This text is taken from the American Election Mail. Click here to subscribe.
This report was financed thanks to the support of the Transat-International Journalism Fund.The duty.