‘LONG TIME COMING’: Trump sees a surge in support among Native American voters

Summary

In a discussion with Myron Lizer, former Vice President of the Navajo Nation, the conversation delves into the surprising 2020 election shift where 65% of Native Americans voted for Donald Trump. Myron attributes this to several factors: a growing push to engage Native American voters, economic challenges like high fuel prices, and a strong military service tradition. He also points to Trump's outsider status as a businessman, contrasting with traditional politicians who haven't met the needs of Native communities. Myron emphasizes that this change reflects a broader political shift and ongoing engagement beyond a single election cycle.

Takeaways

• 😀 65% of Native Americans voted for Trump in the election, a significant shift in support.
• 😀 17 Native American-majority counties voted for Trump in this election.
• 😀 Myron Lizer, former Vice President of the Navajo Nation, attributes the voting trend to years of outreach and education to engage Native American voters.
• 😀 Native Americans are traditionally concerned with issues like the economy, gas prices, and the impact of foreign conflicts, especially wars.
• 😀 The high cost of essentials like food and gasoline, particularly in rural areas, is a major concern for Native Americans, including elders who struggle with affordability.
• 😀 Native American veterans, who have a long history of service, were honored and acknowledged during the conversation, highlighting their contribution to national defense.
• 😀 Trump’s appeal is partly due to his status as a non-politician and successful businessman, which resonates with Native American voters who felt neglected by traditional politicians.
• 😀 The Native American vote has been primarily targeted by Democrats in recent decades, but Lizer challenges the effectiveness of their outreach on reservations.
• 😀 Lizer suggests that, while Trump has room to improve, his fresh approach and business acumen provided a compelling alternative to the status quo for many Native Americans.
• 😀 The conversation concluded with a focus on potential appointments of Native Americans to positions within the Trump administration, marking a possible new era of inclusion.

Q & A

Why did Native American voters shift their support to Donald Trump in the 2024 election?

Native American voters shifted to Donald Trump due to a combination of outreach efforts, economic concerns, and the appeal of his non-political background. Over the years, there has been a concerted effort to educate and mobilize Native American voters, which came to fruition in this election. The economy, especially high prices on basic goods and concerns about foreign conflicts, also played a major role in their decision.

What were the main issues influencing Native American voters in the 2024 election?

The main issues influencing Native American voters included the economy, specifically high food and gasoline prices, and concerns about foreign conflicts and military enlistment. Myron also highlighted the need for more attention to issues affecting Native American communities, such as economic hardship and limited access to resources.

How did Donald Trump's persona appeal to Native American voters?

Donald Trump’s appeal to Native American voters was largely due to his outsider persona and non-political background. Unlike traditional politicians, Trump’s business-oriented approach resonated with many Native Americans who felt that traditional politicians had not addressed their concerns.

What role did the outreach efforts play in the shift of Native American votes toward Trump?

The outreach efforts were critical in the shift of Native American votes toward Trump. These efforts, which had been ongoing since 2016, focused on educating Native Americans on the political process, encouraging voter participation, and highlighting issues that directly affected them. This outreach culminated in the 2024 election, with Native Americans becoming more politically active.

Why did Myron mention foreign conflicts as a key concern for Native American voters?

Myron mentioned foreign conflicts as a key concern because Native Americans have historically been more likely to enlist in the military, and many are concerned about sending their children to fight in distant wars. This concern, combined with the broader geopolitical climate, was a significant factor in the voting decision.

What was Myron's opinion on the role of Democrats in Native American voting trends?

Myron expressed skepticism toward the Democrats' approach to Native American voters, noting that the Native American vote has only been actively targeted by the Democrats in recent decades. He highlighted the lack of significant progress in Native American communities despite the Democrats' focus on this demographic.

How did Myron describe the political engagement of Native American communities prior to the 2024 election?

Myron described Native American political engagement as an ongoing process that began to gain momentum after the 2016 election. He noted that Native American communities were increasingly educated about political issues and the importance of voting, leading to greater participation in the 2024 election.

What are some of the challenges that Native American communities face that were mentioned in the discussion?

The challenges facing Native American communities include economic hardship, high prices for essential goods, and the difficulty in accessing resources like grocery stores, especially in rural areas. Myron also mentioned the need for more attention to these issues from the federal government.

What was Myron's stance on the role of politicians in addressing Native American issues?

Myron emphasized the need for politicians, especially those in power, to do more for Native American communities. He pointed out that while the federal government had not effectively addressed the unique needs of Native Americans, Trump’s business approach was seen as a potential alternative to the conventional political system.

What did Myron say about the potential for Native American influence in future political decisions?

Myron expressed optimism about the potential for Native American influence in future political decisions. He pointed to the 2024 election results as an indication of growing political engagement and suggested that Native Americans could have a more significant role in future policy-making, especially if the outreach efforts continue.