Michigan Rally Goers Back Trump Despite Fuel Costs and Iran War

Voters who waited hours to see President Donald Trump in Port Huron, Michigan, said fuel costs and the war with Iran would not change their midterm choices. Nearly 20 people interviewed in line said they would vote Republican and viewed Democrats as socialists. The line formed in the small city on Lake Huron for a Trump rally.

The interviews reflect a party fighting midterm history. The party controlling the White House has traditionally lost seats in midterm years. Republicans also face inflation tied partly to a war with Iran, which polls show is unpopular, and Trump's approval ratings. The latest Fox News national poll put Trump at 36 percent, his lowest level in a Fox News survey. Among self-described MAGA voters, his approval stood at 95 percent.

Some voters said the cost of living would not change their vote. Linda Taggart of Marysville called high prices "short term pain for long term gain" and said "we see the long term goal and we support that." Bob Kemp of Port Huron said Trump is putting the country back on course after four years of Democratic control of the White House under former President Joe Biden. "Whenever you're fixing something, it always gets worse before it gets better," Kemp said. Michael Bacheller, also of Port Huron, called higher costs "a small price that we have to pay temporarily." Judith Troy of Port Huron said she blamed Trump for high prices "yes and no," adding that he is acting for a cause that requires those costs.

At the rally, Trump said "we are ensuring that Iran will never have, ever have, ever, ever a nuclear weapon" as he explained the war. James Blake of Bay City said, "He's taken the fight to the terrorists over in Iran." Carol Mocan of Warren said she did not blame Trump for living costs "because Iran needed to be taken care of. And no one else has done it for a long time." Ken Gunnels of Clio said Iran was a genuine threat and that a nuclear detonation in a major city would carry repercussions for the country.

Immigration drew attention from other voters. Steve Scouten of Burtchville said immigration was his top issue and added, "If you're here illegally, expect a knock on your door from ICE." Bacheller agreed. Blake said Trump should "shut the borders" and cited positions on men in women's sports and taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security. Rolande Debell of Port Huron said she is "all for Trump" because "it's all about being American. It's all about our freedom. It's all about our rights. It's all about our Ten Commandments, and that's Trump."

None of those interviewed said they would vote for a Democrat in the midterms. Troy said, "I don't like a lot of the things that they believe in." Mocan said Democrats "don't live in the same world that that the rest of us do" and focus on careers rather than people. Blake said, "I'm not in the business of socialism. I don't think that's a good way to go, and I think that's where the Democrats are heading at this time." Scouten said he formerly was a Democrat, adding, "Never again. They're too far to the left." Republicans are seeking to hold slim House and Senate majorities in the midterms.