I Embedded With Trump-Supporting 'Stop The Steal' Protesters. Here's What I Learned.

A placard reading "Stop the steal" is seen during a protest after media announced that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden had won the election. On Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress met to certify the Electoral College votes, “Stop the Steal” followers and other Trump supporters staged an armed insurrection at the country’s Capitol. She was a lifelong Democrat until Obama’s second term when he became, in her eyes, too lenient on “terrorists and illegal immigrants.” Now, Madeline gets most of her news from YouTube, which she believes is more reliable than mainstream news platforms because you can see things “firsthand.” When Trump entered the scene, Madeline says she found a candidate who was able to put words to her worries about the direction America was heading. She has been participating in the flag waving demonstrations at the intersection since July and believed this was the least she could do to “protect Americans’ freedom.” When I asked Madeline which rights she felt would be most threatened under a Biden administration, she said she was worried Americans would be forced to wear masks, get vaccinated, and that small businesses would be shut down. Connor felt compelled to fight what he believed to be the full-frontal assault of President Trump that is being waged “by the establishment.” When I asked him what the long-term strategy for the demonstrations was, he told me, “When Trump says it’s over, there’s a good chance we’ll stop.” When I began this project, my partner asked me, “Is there a chance that writing about the perspectives of this group might validate their views?