I’m a street paper vendor and here's why I support Donald Trump: 'We're not as divided as we think'

The re-election of Donald Trump. I know some aren’t taking this very well, and if you’re feeling disheartened or confused, maybe this piece can give you some fresh perspective. I’m not here to deepen the division or claim that I’m right but rather to offer a viewpoint.

I understand that many people are angry, but instead of cursing the 51% who supported Trump, recognise that fringe topics such as abortion, gender reassignment, free college and inclusion were issues definitively rejected at the ballot box. This will not change if you abandon persuasion and start labelling your opponents as racist and fascist.

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America is a large and diverse country, and many individuals feel that their everyday needs and practical concerns – such as job security, safe neighbourhoods and affordable living costs – are being overlooked. It may take some courage to challenge the ideas of Democratic thought leaders, as they need to recognise that while these issues may resonate with them, their approach can make many people feel unheard, even those who might agree with them on other topics. This attitude can alienate many Americans, leading them to say, “I will support Trump”, even if they disagree with him on certain issues.

I believe that most Americans are not as divided as we might think. I don’t hate my neighbours; I simply disagree with their ideas and methods. Your way isn’t the only way.

Deep down, many of us still hold on to similar values and hopes. We want good lives for our families, a fair shot at opportunity and a sense of stability. If you want to remake America, do it with the people’s consent.

Let’s remember that compromise has always been a crucial part of progress in our country. For instance, the Civil Rights Act was not passed solely by idealists; it resulted from leaders willing to reach across the aisle, find common ground and make compromises. They understood that to move forward we sometimes need to listen, compromise, and maintain a broad vision. 

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I don’t believe that Trump supporters and progressives are enemies. Most of the Trump supporters I know are not looking to harm anyone. They just want to live their lives in peace, make ends meet and raise their families in a stable environment. In the end, I think we all desire similar things. However, when people feel unheard or misrepresented they begin to search for leaders who will advocate for them – even if those leaders aren’t perfect.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: perhaps it’s time for some reflection and balance. Let’s look beyond the headlines and seek common ground, even in unexpected places. What if we shifted our focus from divisions to the shared challenges we all face? I believe there is a way forward where we might not agree on everything, yet can still respect each other’s perspectives and work together to build a better future.

So, to those who are feeling down, take heart. Our country’s been through a lot, and every challenge is a chance to grow. If there’s a lesson here, maybe it’s that Americans are looking for leaders who hear them, who value both progress and stability and who know that listening and compromise are the foundations of real change. If we can find a way to work from this place of understanding, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. And who knows? Maybe that’s how we truly heal and move forward. 

Jeffery McNeil is a vendor of Street Sense, a street paper in Washington DC which, like Big Issue, is sold by homeless or vulnerably housed people so they can work their way out of poverty. McNeil’s columns in Street Sense are read “from the crack house to the White House”. During Trump’s first term he was invited to tour the West Wing and was presented with a copy of the paper signed by the president. 

You can read more from Jeffery and other vendors at Street Sense

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