In Christiansburg, Virginia, 72-year-old Black woman Jo Anne Price runs a store selling pro-Trump merchandise, wearing a button that says, “You find it offensive. I find it funny. That’s why I’m happier than you.” Price dismisses racism as a made-up concept, relying on the belief that if she doesn’t accept it, it doesn’t apply to her. She even sells “WHITE PRIVILEGE CARD” items that have reportedly helped individuals avoid tickets from law enforcement officers. Price and other supporters like Sebriam Vannoy are adamant about their support for former President Donald Trump, despite the unusual situation of being Black backers of Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
Vannoy and Price acknowledge the common perception among Black individuals that Trump did not do anything for their community. However, Vannoy argues that Trump is a president for all Americans, not just specifically for Black people. Price even defends the Trump campaign’s assertion that Black people could relate to him as a convicted felon, citing her experience doing prison ministries. She attributes the mass incarceration of Black men in the 90s to “Biden’s laws,” referencing the controversial 1994 crime bill supported by President Joe Biden.
Despite the outward expressions of support for Trump and his policies challenging liberal stances on race, gender, and social justice, deeper discussions reveal the intersection of identities within the Trump supporter group. For some, like Vannoy, support for Trump transcends racial lines and is more about rejecting a female leader due to biblical and personal beliefs. Others, like Rev. Merrie Turner, see resistance to female leadership even in other spheres like the church, indicating potential barriers for women entering higher positions of power.
Among White Trump supporters at the store, opinions vary on Vice President Kamala Harris, with some critiquing her lack of support for blue-collar workers and others questioning her qualifications for the role. Despite tensions and differing views, many patrons express a need for fresh blood in both political parties, advocating for younger leaders like JD Vance as a way to invigorate and bring change to the political landscape.
Price’s unwavering support for Trump extends to defending his controversial statements on race, including questioning Harris’s Blackness and inflammatory comments about immigrants poisoning America. She sees Trump as a unifying force pulling Americans away from traditional party divisions towards a shared sense of Americanism. While her store predominantly features pro-Trump merchandise, there are also anti-Harris items reflecting a mix of viewpoints within the Trump supporter community, catering to those who prefer a bit of controversy and provocation.
Overall, Price’s journey from being a Democrat to a staunch Trump supporter highlights her independent thinking and rejection of loyalty to party lines. She sees Trump as a unifying force and remains optimistic about the future despite the current challenges. With a mix of pro-Trump and anti-Harris items, Price’s store reflects the diverse range of opinions and perspectives within the Trump support base, emphasizing the complexities and nuances within this political movement.
