The Democratic National Convention was graced with an unexpected speaker this week – a lifelong Alabama Republican.
During the convention on Tuesday night, Kyle Sweetser, a former Donald Trump supporter from Mobile, made a surprising announcement. Despite having voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020, Sweetser stated that he will be casting his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November elections.
“I was thrilled to cast my vote for Trump in 2016,” Sweetser shared with AL.com the day after his convention speech. “The people in Mobile, Alabama often feel overlooked, and Trump appeared to offer a refreshing change of pace.”
During Trump’s first term, Sweetser observed a growing pattern of unusual behavior exhibited by the president. In 2018, Trump’s implementation of tariffs negatively impacted construction workers, including Sweetser, as it led to an increase in costs.
Regardless, Sweetser reluctantly supported the former president in the 2020 election. He admitted to voting for him and even making donations. Sweetser believed that the aftermath of the election, including baseless claims of voter fraud and the tragic events of the Capitol attack on January 6th, would discourage Trump from running again in 2024.
Sweetser started to have concerns about the actions of the previous president, and in doing so, he started to focus more on his supporters who believed in the slogan “Make America Great Again.” He observed that there were resemblances between the disinformation tactics used by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine and the messaging of influential figures within the “MAGA” community.
“I made a firm decision at that moment,” Sweetser stated, “that if this individual were to run for office again, I would cast my vote in favor of the Democratic Party for the very first time. That’s when I began to actively voice my opposition to Trump.”
According to the author, Trump’s stance on fiscal responsibility, his push for increased tariffs, and his isolationist approach to international politics do not align with conservative values. The author argues that Trump cannot be considered a “law and order president,” particularly when compared to the Biden-Harris administration.
According to Sweetser, who shared his thoughts with AL.com, he remains a Republican and had been a supporter of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley during the Republican Primary. However, he now holds the belief that Trump’s presence is detrimental to the Republican Party.
When it became evident that Haley would not be nominated, Sweetser was ready to cast his vote for President Joe Biden. He acknowledged the potential for Harris to succeed Biden, a topic that Haley often discussed.
Sweetser started volunteering with various organizations like Republican Voters Against Trump, Republicans for Harris, and Haley Voters for Harris. He actively supported their mission to bring unity by eliminating the extreme elements associated with Trump.
“I discovered the workings of MAGA as I delved into this issue. It became evident to me how they employ tactics of harassment, intimidation, and silencing to prevent fellow Republicans from criticizing their track record. It struck me as odd that they exert more energy targeting their own party members rather than focusing on Democrats.”
While Sweetser spoke out against Trump, he revealed that he and his family faced a barrage of online abuse, including doxing and death threats, from trolls and accounts aligned with Trump.
He expressed his astonishment at the backlash faced by Republicans who openly criticize Trump, stating, “It’s truly unbelievable what follows once you voice your opposition.”
Sweetser reiterated his backing for Harris’ presidential campaign, echoing his earlier statements at the DNC. He is hopeful that the Republican Party can undergo a transformation and distance itself from the MAGA sentiment, aligning more closely with the American values he cherishes.
According to Sweetser, Trump has a knack for bringing out the worst in people and stirring up emotions.
