Including the speakers, of course, Trump and all the others. True, the large majority walked by and was moving around free-faced. At the entrance, helpers offered face-masks and disinfectant. Suspicious eyeing of mask-wearers or those who do not applaud, aggressive questioning. I expected the event of a political cult. And minus the cordiality.Īnyways – it was different than imagined. No offense to the Swiss wrestlers: I felt just a little bit like being at the Eidgenössisches Schwing- und Älplerfest, the Federal Swiss Wrestling and Alpine tournament (btw: the greatest sporting event in Switzerland and one of the greatest in Europe). Part football cup final game, part rock festival, part turnip fair back home in Madiswil. Only a party convention in a presidential election year produces a similar mass excitement as the one to be felt in front of the airport hangars in Sanford. The plastic wrapping read made in China and this product is a fashion dust mask (non-medical masks). Bre Shoh from Jacksonville sold 10-dollar face masks with the Trump-logo. A man sported incorrigible deplorable on his T-Shirt, a reference to Clinton’s deplorable sneer against the likes of him, hand-embroidered by his wife. One woman stitched a Trump head on her socks. Self-made Trump paraphernalia – a sure sign of hot political engagement – were visible in dozens. She plays favorite hate-target – Hillary Clinton’s role in 2016. Not to forget Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Boos and shrieks when “socialism” was invoked, including its “democratic” variety. Every time an applause soared when the military was mentioned, which happened often (when it comes to the “men and women in uniform”, today’s USA are best compared to Wilhelminian Germany). This crowd lustily responded to every bite of political red meat thrown out to them even during the pre-game show. I have seen Obama and Bernie Sanders, both strong in stoking the flames of political enthusiasm, but their crowds did not come close to the throng of Trumpists in Sanford. Compared to a run-of-the-mill campaign event there was plenty of energy in the air here. Was it electric? For Trump diehards most certainly, no question. And would you not care to become Trump Victory Volunteer? As soon as the show was over, the next e-mail beeped up: tonight was electric. Your name and number are important for the propaganda effort. You line up, have your temperature checked, are passing a radar.
opened the gate for a flood of e-mails.: Welcome to the team, we need you to do this (enlist as a Trump Leader) guest instructions (directions and parking, masks will be provided – please wear them during the event).Thus prepared, I expected massive ID controlling and list checks. The Trump-website had asked for registration, twice, which. Do they know what they happens to their tunes here? Are they paid? The Rolling Stones and – as far as I know – Neil Young have forbidden Trump to use their music for political propaganda purposes.Īrriving was an anticlimax. CCR, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion. The bass made your innards vibrate when they cranked the music up while Air Force One moved closer on the tarmac. Huge sound towers spread every word far beyond the buildings. Yes, the lectern was far away, but from afar the Caudillo was still visible, a tiny little man who could be heard loudly and clearly. There was space enough for distancing, no problem. So I stayed in the background, on the fringe of the crowd. No evidence of social distancing – it was like rush hour at Bern train station before the Swiss government finally mandated masks a few days ago, the only difference being that people here stood for hours in the blaring sunlight. And here, in a large open space between hangars (inscription: Million Air), folks stood tightly packed, ranks firmly closed, most of them without a mask.
First, because I cannot afford to be an idiot when it comes to virus, and moreover my wife made me swear that I would not turn into one. Secondly, because the bleachers and the front of the lectern were long occupied when I arrived at International Airport in Sanford/FL, two hours before the start of the event.