Belizeans Mostly Wary of Trump’s Re-election

On Tuesday, we chatted with a few Belizeans to see how up-to-date they were with the 2024 US presidential race. Most people told us they were following the elections closely and were hopeful that Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, would win. However, the results are in, and Republican candidate Donald J. Trump has come out on top. Today, we hit the streets again to find out how Belizeans are feeling about the announcement.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s the day after the 2024 US Presidential Elections, and the results are in. In a tight race, Republican candidate Donald J. Trump has clinched a second non-consecutive term in the White House. While mail-in ballots are still being counted, it’s projected that Trump has secured two hundred and seventy-seven Electoral College votes, seven votes above the threshold needed to beat Democratic opponent Kamala Harris. On Tuesday, we hit the streets of Belize City to see how Belizeans were keeping up with the presidential race. Today, we went out again to get their reactions to Trump’s victory.

 

Clyde Burgess, Belizean

“He ain’t no good. He no good.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Why do you think that?”

 

Clyde Burgess

“Mami, when I used to live over there, He go, he dig underneath the tunnel. And do a lot of mischief, you know, even.  Especially when, when he try to play with the data. So. And plus the prejudice. Who want one person who is prejudiced fi wa president? No man. It noh right. He ain’t worth it mami. Because he don’t like black. He don’t like Spanish.  What you like? But da the black people. God made all of us. Nobody better than no other.”

 

Some Belizeans shared their disappointment with the results, feeling that Trump harbors internal prejudices. Others simply didn’t agree with his policies.

 

Britney Gordon

“How are you feeling about the results?”

 

Brenda Baptist, Belizean

“I don’t like it.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Are you concerned for your friends and family that are living there?”

 

Brenda Baptist

“I have family va there.”

 

Steve Fuller, Belizean

“Ukraine will be gobbled up by Russia. And time will get harder.”

 

Bitney Gordon

“You think we’ll start to see that here too?”

 

Steve Fuller

“Of course. Of course.  Trump made a promise, and he intend to keep it. He said, he imposed tariff, and the tariff will pass on to the consumer. Simple as that. If you don’t understand that, then I rest my case.”

 

A few Belizeans were less pessimistic about the results and are instead choosing to observe what will become of Trump’s return to the White House.

 

Luis Ayala, Belizean

“Yeah, my family is good there though. So, but, I don’t know what’s happening later, I think.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So you’re waiting to see what will happen?”

 

Luis Ayala

“Yes.”

 

Belize City herbalist Leroy Young, who made headlines in July for spitting in another man’s face during a heated debate over Biden versus Trump, was eager to share his reaction. He supports Trump’s strict immigration policies.

 

Leroy “Herbs Man” Young, Belizean

“Donald Trump is against open border. Immigrant going over there and then they get food stamps. Then they get all kind of benefits. And you have my born Belizean that have to  save up money, pay to the bank, and go there and make appointment to U. S. Embassy only for them to turn them down. Go the proper way. But when you go illegal, Right now a lot of country, like Cuba and Venezuela, they let out their prisoners and they send them to the border. The mayor of New York is taking a licking because he stand up to the present administration of ten thousand immigrants to New York every month.”

It’s unclear what Trump’s re-election will mean for Belize, but some people are definitely feeling uneasy about what the future holds.

 

Leroy “Grandmaster” Young, Belizean
“Trump, I don’t know why, I don’t know, I don’t know, like, when fi he motha bring him in this world,  he mussi been dropped pan he head or something like that, you know? But he wa be he, he wa be he. He will be here. No matter what you try to do, he wa be he. Because at the end of the day, da he get the last laugh.”

 

Britney Gordon

“What do you think is the biggest issue with his candidacy?”

 

Leroy “Grandmaster” Young

“From follow Trump. I don’t know, we will have to deal with a real, I don’t want to say the word,  you know. When, when, anytime he speak, there’s something out of the way. Da no nothing real positive. All he di think about, da how he will try to bring down other, other politicians. So they end up in the same boat with him.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So how are you feeling about the election results?”

 

Steve Fuller, Belizean

“Depressed.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.