For years, William Perry, a dedicated beekeeper, stood firmly behind former President Donald Trump, casting his vote for him in three consecutive elections. Perry believed that Trump’s policies would bolster American agriculture and, by extension, his own beekeeping enterprise.
However, the reality proved to be starkly different. Perry’s business began to suffer significant losses, a downturn he attributes to several of Trump’s agricultural policies. Notably, the trade war initiated by the Trump administration led to retaliatory tariffs from China, causing a substantial drop in American agricultural exports. Perry reported a 20% decrease in his hay exports, a critical component of his farm’s revenue.
The financial strain was compounded by policy decisions that Perry felt undermined the agricultural sector. He expressed deep frustration over the direction the country took under Trump’s leadership, stating, “I really hoped we wouldn’t have to endure another four years with him.”
His disillusionment was so profound that he donated over $150,000 to the Democratic Party in an effort to prevent another Trump term, a significant sum considering it represented a quarter of his annual income .
Perry’s experience is not isolated. Many farmers who initially supported Trump found themselves adversely affected by his policies. For instance, Rebecca Carlson, a cherry farmer in Michigan, anticipated that Trump’s return to office would revitalize her farm. Instead, she faced a funding freeze that jeopardized her ability to hire necessary labor, potentially leaving her $200,000 in debt .
These stories highlight a growing sentiment among some in the agricultural community who feel that the promises made to them were not fulfilled, leading to financial hardships and a reevaluation of their political support.