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Supporters of United States President Donald Trump demonstrate in front of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona on November 7, 2020 – Democrat Joe Biden won the White House, US media said on 7 November, defeating Donald Trump and ending a convulsed presidency. American politics shocked the world and left America more divided than at any time in decades. (Photo by OLIVIER TOURON / AFP)
PHOENIX, Arizona – As the streets of many American cities exploded with joy Saturday at the news of Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election, staunch supporters of Donald Trump refused to accept the result, citing fraud and conspiracy.
In cities like Phoenix, Philadelphia and Atlanta, loyalists to the outgoing president rallied under the banner #StopTheSteal, repeating Trump’s unfounded allegations that Biden’s victory was based on cheating.
They wore red Trump hats, held signs that read “Stop The Steal,” and waved American flags or Trump banners with the slogan: “Keep America Great.”
The scenes were familiar to anyone who has attended or tuned in to a Trump rally.
Hundreds gathered outside the Arizona state capitol building in Phoenix, Arizona, some with their dogs dressed in Trump t-shirts.
“I think they’re too early,” said Donna McCollum, a 77-year-old retired woman who said she can trace her family history back to the American Revolution.
“The electoral college is the one that decides. And that has yet to be decided. And there is a lot of fraud here. Needs to be completely redone or recounted “
She added: “Look at these people here. There’s no way Biden has won Arizona. “
Two news organizations have cast Biden as the winner in Arizona, but others have been more cautious with close vote totals and the count continues.
But either way, Biden has already garnered more than enough electoral votes to win, according to US media projections based on the vote count.
– ‘Ground zero for cheating’ –
Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes was the state that put it above the 270 needed for victory, and Trump supporters there also baselessly alleged fraud, following the example of the outgoing president.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, about 40 Trump supporters stood outside a convention center where the count had taken place, exploding hard rock and staples of Trump rallies like “YMCA” and “God Bless. the USA “.
Nearby Biden fans happily danced to the same music.
“This is ground zero for cheating in this election. I thought it was important to be here, ”said Steve Padgett, a 57-year-old man who works in sales.
Sophia Rotunno, a 52-year-old administrative worker, said: “I have faith that our President Donald Trump won a fair election.”
“But the Democrats are not allowing fair elections to take place,” he said falsely. “So I feel like he has to go to court.”
Despite his loss, Trump inspired a fervent and loyal following among many in the United States as he broke the rules with his bombastic populism.
But there was also a darker side to some of his support that Trump was able to encourage at times by retweeting conspiracy theories and refusing to forcefully condemn white supremacy.
With the elections happening at a feverish time that has seen waves of protests over the police killing of minorities and Trump often escalating tensions, there were fears of election-related violence in some cities.
But those fears have not been realized, and many supporters on both sides on Saturday seemed determined to keep the peace.
– ‘Too much smoke’ –
On Saturday afternoon, a group of Biden supporters in Atlanta were armed, which is legal in Georgia, as they stood in front of a pro-Trump protest, but there was no violence.
Trump supporters have regularly turned up armed at rallies, but no weapons could be seen in the pro-Trump crowd on Saturday in Atlanta.
“There is too much smoke and some fire in many places,” said Huff Croxton, a 51-year-old man wearing an American flag as a cape, referring to unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud.
“I want to see all this fixed and let’s see in the end who wins. And if Biden wins fairly, I will join the media. “
In Phoenix, Shannon Morris, a 51-year-old trauma recovery life coach, said she would “fight” for Trump, but in a “peaceful way.”
“I think Trump fought for our country and I am going to fight for him,” he said.
“Not in an inappropriate way, in a peaceful way, in a good way, in an honest way. I want my voice to be heard. It is wrong to win the elections by fraud. “
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