Imagine a solitary boxer energetically throwing punches in the ring, eliciting cheers from the audience. Occasionally, the referee approaches to wipe sweat off the boxer’s forehead and encourage him, prompting another roar from the crowd.

This is the atmosphere of a Donald Trump town hall—authentic yet manufactured.

I tuned into the Republican presidential candidate’s pre-recorded town hall on Wednesday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, featuring Sean Hannity, a long-time Trump advocate, so you wouldn’t have to.

Hannity and Trump meandered for over an hour without allowing time for audience questions, merely chatting away. (The second hour, promising audience interactions, is expected to air Thursday evening.)

Trump’s speeches, town halls, and debates tend to follow a common format. However, I watch to gain insights into a Republican Party that feels foreign to me. Who are today’s Republicans? Is the GOP merely a reflection of one man, Donald Trump?

Even as a conservative, I’ve been trying to understand Trump’s popularity. Sure, he isn’t a Democrat or a far-left figure like Vice President Kamala Harris. But the support for Trump runs deeper than merely opposing Harris—many Republicans genuinely admire him.

Perhaps I have discovered the reason behind this support.

Trump’s straightforward approach resonates with people

Today’s America is filled with complexities. Most citizens find the tax code baffling, for example. Creating and implementing solutions for our country’s myriad challenges is typically left to legislative professionals. Millions work in various government levels to manage vast agencies that affect nearly every part of American lives. Everything seems overwhelmingly complicated and large.

However, Trump avoids delving into intricate details. This might stem from not fully understanding them—and sometimes, neither do I.

Nonetheless, he clearly knows the issues that concern many Americans. In his recent town hall, Trump and Hannity touched on inflation, economic conditions, war, immigration, and border control.

During an elaborate discussion about immigration and the turmoil at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump made one of his signature, and often exaggerated, statements asserting that more terrorists have crossed the border in the last three years than in the past five decades.

It’s important to note that migrant encounters surged to record levels during Joe Biden’s administration, largely due to the ineffective policies implemented by Biden and Harris.

But Trump’s declaration wasn’t truly about debating policies; it was about appealing to the fears of Americans, whether justified or not. Voters are worried not just about the border crisis but also how it might compromise their safety locally.

Trump exclaimed, “We must carry out the largest deportation in American history,” which was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

He relayed other statements meant to stir voters’ fears: Trump claimed that if Harris wins, there would be an influx of illegal immigrants that would mean “you won’t have Social Security, you won’t have Medicare, you won’t have anything.”

Regarding inflation and the economy, he warned that America could face a Great Depression like in 1929 if Harris doesn’t extend his tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of 2025.

Trump relentlessly criticized Harris for her stance in the 2019 presidential campaign, where she proposed banning fracking to extract oil and gas, despite her current claims of no longer supporting such a ban.

“Pennsylvania can’t take a risk. If she wins, fracking is done,” Trump insisted. “You have no option. You’ve got to vote for me even if you’re not a fan of mine.  You need fracking.”

Ideally, we would engage in detailed debates about significant policies. However, neither Trump nor Harris will deliver that, as it isn’t what voters seek. Their impending debate will likely only skim the surface of the issues.

I’m not implying that voters lack intelligence, but most individuals aren’t prepared or interested in deep, intricate policy discussions. Many are attracted to Trump’s straightforward manner of addressing issues and providing solutions because he echoes their frustrations and worries.

Trump frames himself as both a hero and a victim

In Trump’s perspective, he plays the roles of both a victim and a hero, depending on the situation. He even continues to express dissatisfaction about Biden exiting the presidential race more than a month prior.

“It seems quite unfair in many respects. I still voice my grievances about it,” Trump commented regarding not competing against Biden anymore.

While it may seem like a nostalgic complaint, Trump has yet to move past his defeat in the 2020 election.

In his typical style, he positioned himself as both a victim and a hero, asking for admiration from his supporters for even deciding to run again, suggesting he’s capable of pursuing other opportunities.

“I have some lovely places I could be!” Trump declared. “This is tough work. I faced danger. I got hurt.”

This aligns with his habit of making grand promises that are often beyond his capacity to fulfill. On Wednesday, he vowed to ensure no global conflicts if he regains the presidency.

“During my last term, there were no major conflicts,” Trump asserted. “We were really strict about our borders. We made strong statements.”

While it’s conceivable that Trump’s presidency saw a period of peace, it’s likely that the timing played a more significant role.

Trump is the GOP, the GOP is Trump

Traditionally, the Republican Party hasn’t revolved around the allure and charm of a single individual. Ronald Reagan may have been an exception, as he embodied the party’s enduring principles, covering economic, foreign policy, and social conservatism.

In contrast, Trump represents a populist approach, being conservative on certain issues but not adhering to traditional conservatism on others.

Despite his billionaire status, which he often reminds the electorate of, Trump’s appeal lies in his connection with regular Americans — he presents himself as the one capable of assisting them.

He stated on Hannity that his campaign is “focused on the forgotten man and woman. People are being treated terribly in our country.”

Many Americans are indeed facing hardships. However, it’s curious that he didn’t say they’re struggling; he claimed they’re “being treated terribly,” almost as if Biden had personally invaded their homes and taken their possessions.

This narrative reinforces Trump’s self-image as a hero, a savior ready to shield citizens from immigrants and Democrats.

Instead of offering substantial ideas, which used to be the basis of conservatism, he presents himself as the solution — and that isn’t beneficial for either the American public or the Republican Party.

I must acknowledge Trump for attending the town hall and for participating in more interviews than Harris has.

These discussions provide valuable insights about Trump and ourselves.

The real question is: Are we satisfied with what we discover?

Nicole Russell writes opinion pieces for YSL News. She resides in Texas with her four children.