Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Despite Biden Win, Trump Supporters Rally In Beverly Hills
Supporters of President Donald Trump, who was defeated by Joe Biden in the election, rally in Beverly Hills on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Aaron Schrank/LAist)
()
Even as a night chill fell, hundreds of supporters of President Trump milled about Beverly Gardens Park, as trucks adorned with "Make America Great Again" signs drove by honking.
That the media outlets had called the presidential race for former Vice President Joe Biden was upsetting to them, but rally-goers weren't giving up.
"I don’t believe them," said Denise Wells, with an American flag over her shoulders, who referred to the election results as "fake news."
"They called it too soon," she said. "We need to keep counting those votes."
Support for LAist comes from
Wells, a 49-year-old line cook who'd been laid off from a casino during the pandemic, had driven up from San Diego to support "my country, my patriots and my president."
As Biden addresses the country, 100’s of Trump supporters gather in Beverly Hills to challenge election results. “America first!” pic.twitter.com/vSwqqUhwmM
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) November 8, 2020
The "Freedom Rally" in Beverly Hills has been a weekly event since resident Shiva Bagheri organized the first one in the summer.
On Saturday, as Angelenos in several other parts of town took to the streets to celebrate Biden's win, the Trump rally in Beverly Hills lasted several hours, overlapping with the national address that Biden and his vice president-elect Sen. Kamala Harris made to the country.
According to NPR, Biden has received 290 electoral college votes — well above the 270 needed to win the presidency — compared to President Trump's 214 votes.
Those at the rally made unfounded claims about voting fraud, same as those made by Trump.
MAGA rallygoers have come from WeHo to West Hills to San Diego, sharing unfounded theories that ballot tampering & voting fraud have stolen the election from Trump pic.twitter.com/8uyPA6thYI
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) November 8, 2020
Support for LAist comes from
John Samore, an accountant from West L.A., said he hopes the Trump campaign will prevail in contesting vote counts. But he also braced himself for a Biden presidency.
"I'll tell you, there's gonna be a lot less patriotic spirit in the country," Samore said.
Samore said that he wants the mainstream media and "never-Trumpers" to hold Biden accountable.
"I don't want to hear 'Oh, we're now in a war with North Korea and Trump laid the foundation for that," Samore said." I don't want to hear any of that."
Eli Shumway, a 25-year-old West Hollywood resident who works in tech, said he thought there was "shifty stuff happening" with the ballots. But he said "if it was a clean election, I'm willing to give Mr. Biden a chance."
He gazed around at the other Trump supporters at the rally, calling some of them his "homies."
"None of these people are going to raise up arms," Shumway said. "We're going to wait this out. We're going to see how it all plays out."
Support for LAist comes from
READ MORE:
- Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP, Edging Trump In Turbulent Race
- Fireworks, Rainbows And Pot-Banging: Here's How LA Is Reacting To A Biden-Harris Win
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist