On a sunny Saturday morning in West Palm Beach, Florida, supporters of President Donald Trump gathered outside his golf course, eagerly awaiting his arrival. Among them was Alan Mentser, 65, who received a call indicating that the police were shutting down a nearby road, signaling it was almost time to welcome Trump. This dedicated group has spent years perfecting their routine, tracking flight arrivals of Air Force One and monitoring traffic cameras to catch sight of the presidential motorcade.
Mentser explained the lengths they go to in order to show their support, including creating large banners, each costing about $300. With approximately eight banners in his collection, Mentser sees this effort as a valuable way to remind Trump that he has loyal supporters during what they perceive as a challenging time filled with controversies. “It might give him 30 seconds of seeing, ‘there’s my people,’” he stated. “But that 30 seconds matter.”
As a police siren indicated the impending arrival of the motorcade, Mentser alerted his group, and excitement filled the air. The ambiance shifted as they switched the music on a portable speaker from country to the iconic “YMCA,” a regular anthem for Trump’s campaigns. The convoy of black cars rolled into view, with Trump donning his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat and white polo shirt, personally waving to the crowd.
“President Trump! We love you!” shouted Brady Collier, 31, who was dressed in a similar hat as he joined the excitement. However, the encounter with Trump was brief, lasting less than 30 seconds. Following Trump’s motorcade, a woman with white hair drove by, gesturing with a middle finger at both Trump and his supporters, showcasing the polarized sentiments surrounding Trump’s presidency. While some may have found this moment disheartening, Collier remained vibrant. He remarked that this particular day felt special because the motorcade seemed to slow down, allowing him a better view. “There’s nothing cooler than that, other than Jesus Christ,” he added.
Collier, originally from Indiana, expressed that spending the winter in Florida allowed him to show his support for Trump more frequently. Jared Petry, 24, from Ohio, echoed Collier’s dedication. As part of the “Front Row Joes,” a group of superfans who have followed Trump at various campaign rallies, Petry shared his experience of witnessing a frightening moment during an assassination attempt last summer while in Butler, Pennsylvania. He described the tension during that moment, but also recounted the relief he felt when he saw Trump was unharmed, pumping his fist in the air amidst the chaos.
Every weekend, Petry can be found outside Trump’s golf course, stating, “He never forgets his supporters. He waves at us.” As the day progressed, the group expressed interest in visiting a nearby restaurant that often hosts Fox News personalities, known for their conservative viewpoints. However, in an unexpected turn of events, staff members from the golf club approached them and invited them inside for a meal.
This was a first for them, as they had never been offered such hospitality before. They enjoyed freshly made omelets and blueberry muffins on the veranda, where they could also catch glimpses of Trump playing golf. Despite the opportunity to interact with Trump directly, Mentser humorously noted that they refrained from calling attention to themselves to avoid distracting the president, joking, “You don’t want to have the president post on Truth Social that ‘I was lining up my putt and my supporters threw off my game.’” Ultimately, Mentser described the overall experience as “tremendous,” feeling it was a small yet meaningful gesture from Trump to acknowledge his dedicated supporters.
