It’s a frigid minus 5 degrees on the streets of Washington DC but there are plenty of Trump supporters out and about; some lining for the arena where the inauguration will be broadcast on a big screen, others just soaking up the party atmosphere and being part of history.
There’s the usual throng of street merchants flogging Trump-themed beanies, caps, T-shirts and flags, and a guy driving a cart decked out with Trump material and blasting Village People’s YMCA.
The police and security presence is also overwhelming, with many streets blocked off by tall metal gates.
“We’re just trying to get into the action and as close as we can,” said Nannette Piccolo, a lawyer from Orlando, Florida. She and her friend Kim Aldrich weren’t too fussed – they have tickets to a ball tonight, anyway.
Piccolo lived in Brisbane a few years ago and believes Trump will give the US a “stronger international presence”.
She says a lot of people worldwide, including in Australia, have misunderstood him and his agenda.“As an American citizen, we understand it because we live it every day,” she says.
“You’ve got to live in America to really understand America.“Here’s a man who doesn’t have to do what he’s doing. And that means a lot. He actually loves America, and cares about America.”
Nannette Piccolo, a lawyer from Orlando, left. Credit: Michael Koziol
