“It was just so powerful.” I’m waiting in line for a greasy burrito at Taco Bell after leaving the Donald Trump rally in Salem, Virginia, and the positive reviews from his ardent supporters are inescapable. I overhear a group bonding over their support for the former - and perhaps future - president, who just delivered a barnstorming speech promising to usher in “America’s new golden age”.
Their calm conversation while waiting for fast food is in stark contrast to the frenzied atmosphere in the auditorium hours earlier, where the crowd erupted into thunderous applause as Trump arrived on stage to a blaring wrestling theme tune. There was no denying that the bullish election candidate is a skilled orator. He attacked key topics including the economy, migration and transgender issues in a simple, direct manner, with a heavy dose of patriotism and frequent promises to “fix” the country and take it back from dangerous liberals.
Migration is “the single greatest threat to our nation”, above even economic challenges, because “you’re killing the fabric of our country”, the Republican said. He repeatedly warned of the murderers, drug dealers, criminals and “people from mental institutions” flooding the country. And let’s not forget a mention of the illegal aliens who are getting taxpayer-funded sex changes - ticking off two boxes on the Trump bingo card in one breath.
The crowd lapped it up, erupting into a chorus of boos at every mention of illegal al.