“You Voted for This” Trump’s Base Feels the Pain as Canada Bows Out

Trump’s policies are hitting hardest in the towns that cheered him on and our neighbors to the north have taken notice

As you've likely seen in Adam Mockler and MeidasTouch’s reporting, Canadians have been voting with their dollars as part of the “Elbows Up” movement. They’re shopping at Canadian businesses, supporting Canadian brands, and avoiding travel to the U.S. like it’s the plague. Let’s start with this excerpt from the BBC about the Michigan town of Port Huron:

At the end of a waitressing shift, Kristina Lampert used to separate her tips in two piles: Canadian cash and American.

But it's been weeks since she has done that.

Freighters, the restaurant where she works, is one of the first places people can grab a bite after crossing the US-Canada border between Sarnia, Ontario, and Port Huron, Michigan.

The Blue Water Bridge, which connects the US and Canada, is in full view from the restaurant's windows.

"A lot of people used to come over and say 'we're here for the view'," she says of Canadian diners. "I haven't heard that at all recently." (BBC)

According to estimates from the U.S. Travel Association, a 10% drop in Canadian travel could result in a $2.1 billion loss in business and a reduction of 14,000 jobs. Based on stories like this, it’s not unreasonable to assume the actual decline could be 20% or more.

Here’s the kicker: 66% of the people in this county voted for Donald Trump. It’d be easier to feel bad for them if they hadn’t voted for the guy who, the first time around, promised he’d do crazy things, actually did those crazy things, then promised to do even crazier things—and followed through on that too.

The economic wrecking ball of Donald Trump has left some of his most diehard, business-owning supporters resorting to praying in Facebook groups for relief from the turmoil.

Emmitsburg Mayor Frank Davis voted for Donald Trump in hopes he would cut federal spending. Now Davis hopes those cuts don't include the permanent cancellation of classes at the National Fire Academy, which is part of the town's identity and helps drive its economy. Davis is also a chief at Emmitsburg's firehouse, known as the Vigilant Hose Company. (NPR)

There are countless examples in red districts across America where Trump’s biggest supporters are now experiencing the consequences of his actions. Red states, predominantly, are the largest recipients of federal funds per capita.

To make this more tangible, take the state of West Virginia—where every single county voted for Trump. (The only other state that fits this category is Oklahoma.) For every dollar paid in federal taxes, West Virginia receives approximately $2.72 in federal funds.

Trump and Elon Musk have made it their mission to slash federal spending, and the people most heavily impacted are their own voters. Meanwhile, the supposed “savings” from these cuts are being funneled into a trillion-dollar defense budget—including an undisclosed amount in shady government contracts awarded to Elon and Trump family allies.

The narrative that Republicans are frugal protectors of your pocketbook should never be taken seriously in any election ever again. They’re destroyers, not protectors. Demolitionists, not builders.

With stories like this surfacing almost daily, it’s no surprise Trump is doing everything he can to silence outlets like NPR.

As independent media, it’s more crucial than ever for us to stay consistent, organized, and focused.

On Adam’s behalf—if you’re a fan of his work—please consider grabbing a paid subscription. If you’re already a subscriber, take a moment to check out one of his student films from before he blew up on YouTube.

The Student Film That Almost Got Me Kicked Out Of College

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