Among the most dedicated Trump supporters is Antwon Williams, a 42-year-old mobile phone repair shop owner from Columbia, South Carolina, who has made a living selling Maga merchandise at rallies across the US. He says the sense of camaraderie and shared political vision at these events is unlike anything else society offers.
Williams, who began selling merchandise for Barack Obama before switching to Trump after a 2015 rally, now employs ten people and has driven 260,000 miles in his van. His first item sold was a Maga hat for $25; they now sell for $30. He says the more Democrats criticise Trump, the more creative his merchandise becomes—such as 'Ultra Maga' and 'Proud Deplorables' T-shirts.
Williams dismisses accusations that Trump is racist, pointing to what he sees as help for the Black community. He claims that removing illegal immigrants from jobs gave Black workers a more level playing field. He describes Trump as 'freaking amazing' and says he cares about ordinary people.
After Trump's mugshot was released, Williams created 'Never surrender' T-shirts, viewing it as a symbol of America and the Black community. He has met Trump twice and says his devotion is now 'fully fledged'—both a business and a deeply held belief.
