During a rally in Walker, Michigan, on Friday night, former President Donald Trump once again fueled claims of election fraud, asserting that his opponents “cheat.” Trump urged his supporters to remain vigilant, saying, “Keep your eyes open, because these people want to cheat and they do cheat, and frankly, it’s the only thing they do well.”
While Trump continues to stoke fears about the integrity of future elections, some of his MAGA supporters are showing signs of fatigue with the rhetoric surrounding the 2020 election and are ready to focus on the future, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press.
Jordan Walton, a 24-year-old rally attendee, expressed that he has come to terms with Trump’s 2020 defeat. “It sucks. But yeah, he lost,” Walton said. He also added, “Well, I think he kind of screwed himself, to be honest, because he wasn’t promoting among his voters vote-by-mail.” Though still a supporter, Walton noted that he could accept another Trump loss, stating, “Ain’t going to be happy, but you know, it is what it is.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Thomas Van Overloop, a 19-year-old student, who is tired of the former president’s focus on the past. “I wasn’t a big fan of [Jan. 6] and the stolen election thing. I think we’ve got to look to the future instead of looking back,” Van Overloop remarked, underscoring the need for the campaign to pivot away from the 2020 election.
The report also highlighted David Ortez, a 28-year-old attendee, who shared that he, too, has moved on from the 2020 loss. “I’ve had conversations with other Trump supporters who disagree, but I just nod my head and try to avoid an argument,” Ortez explained. He added that he doesn’t believe the election was stolen and is ready to accept another defeat if it happens.
Ortez was clear in his rejection of any repeat of the January 6 insurrection. “No crazy s**t. We don’t need that. We have too much nonsense in the world right now, and we don’t need more violence. That’s the last thing we need,” he said, expressing a hope for a more peaceful political landscape moving forward.
As Trump continues to rally his base with claims of election fraud, it’s becoming evident that some supporters are eager for a new approach, one that looks ahead rather than dwelling on past defeats.
