This week, CNN sent someone to Panama City, Florida, to cover the MAGA boat parade. Journalist Elle Reeve talked about the problems that people at the parade were worried about in this election. One shirtless MAGA supporter gave Reeve a huge wake-up call about how hard things are for Americans under the Biden-Harris government.
When Reeve asked, “What’s the most important thing to you?” The Trump fan, naked and with a drink in his hand, didn’t think twice.
“The market,” he said in answer. “Lowering the interest rates. Getting to the point where we can live in America on a budget. It costs too much right now.”
Simple, common sense worries me about this. Instead of agreeing that he had a good point, Reeve tried to play down his worries by making fun of the fact that he owned a boat.
The writer started, “Perhaps this is a rude question, but if you can buy a boat, you’re not really in such bad shape, right?” It was clear what she meant: this Trump backer couldn’t whine about the economy since he owned a boat.
That was wrong, and this Trump fan wouldn’t stand for it. “Listen. “No one gave me s**t,” he shot back. “Everything I have I won.”
He still had more to say to clear things up. “I retired from the service and the power plant. I’m happy and have boats and jet skis because I did things the right way. That chance is open to everyone. It’s up to them whether they want to or not.”
It’s not what Reeve was hoping to hear, and it’s not what the left media wants to hear either. But that didn’t stop her from pushing her story. She said that the cost of food is probably a “smaller portion” of his budget than someone who is poorer. As if rising prices and inflation don’t affect rich people. She joked, “I find it funny that Americans who are more comfortable are still so worried about the economy.” But she was missing the point.
The Trump supporter’s answer was sharp and right on the mark. “I need my cash to go further. The price of things should go down. I’d like interest rates to go back down. That’s good for the whole business. Not just me, or the poor, not just the rich. It helps everyone.”
Author:Â Blake Ambrose