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It was a shocking few minutes to see the world through Donald Trump’s eyes and indulge his fantasies.
As a reporter from the White House pool on Saturday, taking turns taking the President’s observation for print media, the Guardian found themselves in the back of Trump’s motorcade, exiting the executive mansion and onto Pennsylvania Avenue.
At 10 a.m., the dozen shiny black vehicles with flashing blue and red lights were greeted by a sight rarely seen in Washington, a Democratic stronghold: hundreds of Trump supporters, clapping and clapping, hissing and shouting, banging looking and saluting their idol as if he had actually won a glorious victory over Joe Biden.
What a difference from the previous Saturday when Trump returned from a round of golf to be mocked and booed by residents of the capital who had just heard that he had been fired by the electorate. Some foreign observers have compared this scene to post-liberation Paris or to a Middle Eastern autocracy that overthrew its dictator.
But a week later, with Trump adding electoral defeat to the coronavirus disaster and climate crisis as truths that must be denied, supporters – among them far-right groups, including extremist Proud Boys – stand tall. rushed into town to endorse his baseless claims that the election was being stolen from him.
Attendees of the “Million Maga March,” a number as inflated as Trump’s estimate of his inaugural crowd, swarmed the procession as he made his majestic strides down Pennsylvania Avenue, which in his time witnessed inaugural parades and funeral marches, suffragists and the Ku Klux Klan.
Some hit the air; others took pictures with phones. Many of the items of clothing featured red, white and blue patterns, such as stars and stripes. Outside the Willard Hotel, a man proudly wore a t-shirt that said “I’m deplorable” – a reference to Hillary Clinton’s derogatory remark about Trump supporters he and they never let go. Biden’s flash of reference to “idiots” has never stayed the same.
Among the agitated signs were “Best prez ever” and “Stop the steal”. Among the many flags were “Trump 2020: Keep America great”; “Trump 2020: more bullshit”; “All aboard the Trump train!”; “Women for Trump”; and “Trump 2020: Pro-life, Pro-God, Pro-gun”.
The motorcade toured Freedom Plaza, where people had climbed walls and other structures for a better view, and turned to the Ronald Reagan Building. Trump’s own hotel was not far away. There were chants of “USA! USA! “,” We want Trump! We want Trump! And, with a little optimism, “Four more years!” Four more years! “
It was reminiscent of Trump’s bizarre pre-election walk of supporters outside Walter Reed Military Hospital, while he was under treatment for Covid-19. A few devotees continued the procession, perhaps hoping for one last glimpse of Maga’s magic before the lights went out.
The sight of the procession was a reminder that, after spending four years surrounded by sycophantic cabinet members, absorbing the adulation of the crowds at endless rallies and consuming the constant praise of the conservative media, Trump may have thought he was really loved by the vast majority of Americans.
The election result would have been a very rude awakening. No wonder he still can’t believe it.
Finally, the presidential limousine swept over and arrived at Trump’s Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, where supporters and protesters were gathered. Among the latter, one was holding a sign.
“We voted,” he says. “You are fired.”
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