KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Trump supporters who spoke to 41 Action News on Friday pointed to a strong economy as a sign of what they believe was a successful first year in office.
Real estate owner Tom Hutsler, who runs La Bottega Vintage Market in Parkville, said a strong stock market and improving economy under President Trump helped him stand by his vote.
“I think it's been a good year,” he explained. “It's been prosperous."
As a small business owner in the metro, Hutsler said he could see parts of his community improve with the economy under President Trump.
“I have some empty spaces here in downtown Parkville and we're starting to release some of those spaces,” he explained. “There's been a surge of people."
Up north in Smithville, Sharon Sigler also spoke of an improving economy as a sign that Trump was doing a good job as president.
“Our 401K and everything that we were planning on living on are doing great again. That's a thrill for us,” she explained. “His name and his confidence has given the people confidence."
Sigler told 41 Action News that she sided with Trump during the last election because of his attitude and promise to help the economy.
“He kind of won our hearts and we've been with him ever since,” she explained. “I could praise him all day long. I really think he's done a fabulous job."
In Platte City, Trump supporter Steve Kerwin still shows off his “Trump Truck” he put together during the last election.
Kerwin, who owns a vinyl siding company, decorated an old fire truck with Trump posters, flags, and a giant GOP elephant.
The truck, which Kerwin said has attracted many fans over the last two years, served as a show of enthusiasm for the man he voted for.
After Trump’s first year in office, Kerwin said he wished the president got more credit for what he has been able to accomplish.
“He just doesn't get enough good recognition,” he explained. “The media is totally just not giving him any credit whatsoever. It's just not right."
The supporters of the president who spoke to 41 Action News also pointed to the appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, the passing of tax cuts, and getting rid of the Obamacare mandate as other victories in Trump’s first year in office.
Moving on to year two, they hoped Trump would take a hard line on illegal immigration.
“Hopefully, he'll get something done about these sanctuary cities,” Kerwin explained. “It’s just not right harboring these illegal people."
Kerwin, as well as other supporters, hoped President Trump would continue working on his promise of building a wall along the southern border.
Those who voted for President Trump also hoped Trump could move on from a number of controversies that plagued his first year in office, including the investigation into alleged ties to Russia during the election.
“I think that when the investigation is finished that it will to come to a conclusion that there was no collusion,” Hutsler said.
Supporters stood by Trump as he faces allegations of being a racist following controversial comments over white supremacy protests in 2017 and a quote using an expletive he allegedly used in January to describe countries where immigrants reside.
“I don't think Mr. Trump is racist at all,” Sharon Sigler said. “I don't think he sees color."
“There's just so many people that get so offended over stupid stuff,” Steve Kerwin explained.
Moving forward, the supporters hoped the economy would continue to improve under President Trump this year.
“The economy is going great and it's got to stay that way,” Sigler said.
