On Aug. 24 at the Mississippi Coliseum, Donald Trump emphasized to thousands of supporters his populist and “America first” message with help from a foreign politician.
Trump, who trails Hillary Clinton in most national polls, called on the leader of the United Kingdom’s Independence Party and prominent Brexit supporter Nigel Farage to join him onstage to deliver a message of hope to Trump supporters.
Farage reminded supporters that most experts and polls were proven wrong when Great Britain voted to leave the European Union back in June.
“If you want change, you better get your walking boots on,” Farage said. “You better get out there [and campaign] and remember [that] anything is possible if enough decent people are prepared to stand up against the establishment.”
According to CNN, Trump began reading from teleprompters in March despite saying he believes “no president should be allowed to use them.” At the rally, Trump was seen reading from a teleprompter. He also attempted to reach out to Hispanic and African-American voters that evening.
“What do you have to lose?” Trump said to minority voters – though the Jackson crowd was mostly white. “Hillary Clinton is a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future,” Trump said.
Trump said unlike his opponent, his policies would always put America first.
“My priorities will never change – jobs, wages and security for Americans,” Trump said. “We’ll establish justice and opportunity and safety in every community in the land. I am asking for the vote of every citizen in this country – African-American, Hispanic, all Americans – all Americans who want a better, brighter and stronger future for yourselves and our country.”
On immigration, Trump said he condemned Democrats for pushing the amnesty of people who were in the country illegally.
“We cannot allow that,” he said.
University of New Orleans student James DuPont, who wore a “Make America Great Again” cap, drove from New Orleans to Jackson to attend the rally. DuPont said he has supported Trump from the beginning.
“I like Trump in general,” DuPont said. “I’m okay with him softening some immigration laws for some people, but I still support the wall.”
Mississippi College business law student and Dallas native Caleb Ensley said he showed up despite being neutral at this point in the election.
“I’m not a die-hard Trump supporter like some other people here,” Ensley said. “I came because I was interested in seeing the possible president. He’s very outspoken. If he were more professional and presidential, I could vote for him then.”
University of Mississippi School of Medicine graduate student Graham Casey said it was unlikely he would vote for Trump regardless of his demeanor.
“I haven’t really made up my mind yet,” Casey said. “I would definitely consider voting for a third-party candidate though.”
After Jackson, the Trump campaign stopped in Manchester, New Hampshire for a rally Thursday evening.
