Monica voted for Trump because she believed he would support U.S. manufacturing and roll back EV mandates, which she felt were crucial for her job security in the automotive industry.
Monica was concerned about Harris's flip-flopping on policies and her lack of clear, consistent messaging, which made it difficult for Monica to trust her stance on key issues like fracking and economic policies.
Monica's vote was heavily influenced by her recent layoff in the automotive industry and her fear of not being able to afford her new house. She prioritized her immediate job security over broader social issues.
Monica believed Trump could help her job by rolling back EV mandates and supporting U.S. manufacturing, which she felt would allow her company to keep producing vehicles like the Ram 1500 in the U.S. rather than outsourcing to Mexico.
Monica felt that Harris's policies, particularly on economic issues like fracking, were inconsistent and didn't address her immediate concerns about job security and the future of U.S. manufacturing.
Monica justified her vote by comparing the energy at Trump rallies to that of liberal protests, arguing that individuals can get caught up in group dynamics. She believed that the broader political system would keep Trump in check.
Monica was critical of the Democratic primary process, feeling that candidates like RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard were more appealing than Harris, who she felt was pushed onto voters without genuine support.
Monica didn't vote against Trump in 2020 because she was dissatisfied with both Biden and Harris. She felt that Biden was losing his mental acuity and that Harris's policies were inconsistent, making it hard for her to support them.
Monica's overall sentiment was one of frustration and self-interest. She felt unheard by the Democratic Party and prioritized her immediate economic needs over broader political considerations.
For more than two years, we’ve been asking pretty much everyone we meet a version of the same question:
Who are you going to vote for and why?
And on Wednesday morning, we had the answer to that question. Or at least the first part.
Donald Trump easily won the electoral vote, and as of early Thursday, he’s on track to win the popular vote too.
The second part of the question — the why of 2024 — is a little more complicated. It will take time to answer in its entirety.
But we wanted to start small, by talking with one Michigan voter. She came to mind on election night, when it became clear that it was going to be a Trump victory and that the sweep of his support was telling a new story about this country.
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