Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addressed a campaign rally at the McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday. – AFP
Engaged in a close race for the US presidency, Republican candidate Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to appeal to young, first-time voters. AFP interviewed three such teenagers in Georgia, a key swing state that will play a crucial role in the November 5 election. Kamron eagerly anticipates his 18th birthday on Thursday, which coincides with the presidential election. For this high school student, sporting a red cap emblazoned with Trump's name, his choice is clear. "Many young men are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the US," he noted, criticizing the Democrats for focusing excessively on "LGBTQ and transgender issues" rather than addressing everyday concerns. "Young men seek a strong, authoritative leader with a resolute stance, someone they can admire," he added. On Monday, Trump hosted a campaign rally at the Georgia Tech university campus in Atlanta.
Cesar Viera, 18, expressed his readiness to vote for the billionaire as early as "tomorrow," taking advantage of early voting provisions available in several states. "Trump would be far better for young Americans," he asserted, draped in a US flag. "He's the best option for the economy right now," said the teenager, a craftsman involved in house refurbishments, who worries about his ability to afford a home. At 78, Trump would be the oldest person to assume the US presidency if elected. However, Viera sees no issue with his age. "I don't think it matters; what counts is his mental state," he said.
Trenton Dykes, a 19-year-old computer engineering student from Kennesaw, Georgia, acknowledged that "neither candidate is perfect." Dykes dismissed allegations of racism against Trump, who has frequently described migrants as "animals" and "criminals" during his campaign. "Based on policy, we've observed his performance over four years; I don't believe he acted in a racist manner," Dykes stated. Initially supporting Robert Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate who withdrew to endorse Trump, Dykes emphasized that he votes based on policy, not character. "Trump is uniting people across party lines," he added. This marks Dykes's second rally for the septuagenarian, drawn by "the sense of community and shared beliefs."
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