Why Aren't Trump Supporters Organizing Big Rallies Now?

Understanding the Shift: Why Trump Rallies Have Lost Their Popularity

Hard to know for sure. I would like to think that more people are getting turned off by the obvious depravity and violent tendencies of the Trumpsters. It may also simply be that the schtick is getting old; they’re getting bored with it, or they’re running out of money to spend on his latest grifts.

The Trump Bus Tours and Post-Election Mobilization

Weeks before mobs besieged the Capitol building in Washington, a bright red bus crisscrossed the United States, emblazoned with a huge image of President Donald Trump in suit and tie with a clenched fist above his shoulder. At more than 25 stops, from Arizona to Tennessee, flight-attendant-turned-political-activist Amy Kremer and other speakers exhorted crowds to join their efforts in fighting for Trump and overturning the election.

The story of how the pied-pipers of Trumpism enlisted supporters highlights the dramatic evolution of Trump’s voters into an effective and well-financed network of activist groups. The crowds recruited by protest organizers were joined in Washington by more radical right-wing groups, including white supremacists and QAnon devotees, which have increasingly become a fixture at pro-Trump demonstrations.

The March for Trump and the Capitol Riot

Renita N. Scott, a White House official, stated that the March for Trump rally was organized by outside groups and the White House became involved when Trump decided to speak at the event. The march culminated with a rally where Trump exhorted his supporters to fight, prompting the violent incident at the Capitol. However, it is noteworthy that not everyone from the March for Trump directly participated in the violence.

Police eyewitness accounts and videos from the scene describe the chaos as supporters battled officers with a makeshift arsenal. One woman is shown shouting through a bullhorn, "You are not going to take our votes and our freedom," as rioters climbed through a broken window on the west side of the Capitol building.

Financial Backing and Post-Election Mobilizers

One notable player in the post-election protest movement was Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of My Pillow, a major advertiser and sponsor of the Right Side Broadcasting Network. Lindell, a self-described former cocaine addict who found sobriety through Christianity, sponsored the March for Trump bus tour and attended the rally in Washington.

Lindell stated that he did not finance subsequent trips for the Jan. 6 rally and emphasized his continued belief in contesting the election as it was, in his words, "the most corrupt election in U.S. history and probably in world history." Nevertheless, his financial backing of the bus tour and his ongoing influence underscore the resources and networks at play in post-election mobilization efforts.

Conclusion: The Future of Pro-Trump Movements

The events surrounding the Capitol riot have made a significant impact on public perception. While the violent acts of a few individuals marred the image of the broader movement, the financial and organizational infrastructures established for post-election protests remain intact. Whether these structures will continue to be a force for change, especially in the absence of clear leadership and direction, remains to be seen.