Elle Reeve revisited the Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade in Louisiana and found cooler, more mixed reactions to President Donald Trump than two years ago. Paradegoers praised lower gas prices but criticized tariffs, mass deportations, and the White House ballroom project. While some remain staunch supporters, many expressed tempered enthusiasm and called for policy adjustments and greater transparency.
Elle Reeve Returns To Louisiana Parade — Support For Trump Has Cooled, Locals Say
CNN correspondent Elle Reeve returned to the Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade in Louisiana and found a noticeably cooler reception for President Donald Trump than she encountered at the same event two years earlier.
More Muted Reactions
Speaking on a segment aired with Anderson Cooper, Reeve reported that reactions to Mr. Trump were "more muted" compared with the optimism she recorded ahead of the 2024 election. While some paradegoers still voiced support, others raised concerns about tariffs, mass deportations, and the White House ballroom renovation.
Voices From The Parade
Tommy Wiltcher criticized the president's tariff policy, calling it "a joke the American people are paying for," and said he disapproved of the White House ballroom project despite continuing to support Trump overall.
"Yes, I support him. I’m not happy with him all the time. I think it’s a joke about creating the big ballroom and wanting to inlay it with all the gold fixtures," Wiltcher said.
David Salvett told Reeve, "I’m not the biggest fan, but at least it’s not Biden," and urged the release of more files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Vivian Joiners said she would give the president until the end of his term to bring prices down but urged him to abandon tariff policies: "Those we can do without. Trump baby, we can do without those!"
Several attendees criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics and the administration's deportation efforts. Some expressed concern that people being deported were not criminals; others asked that Trump "seek wisdom" on such policies. Sandra LaCourse said deportations can be "kind of harsh sometimes" and noted the community was praying for wise leadership.
Other paradegoers remained upbeat about the economy. Scotty Adams praised lower gasoline prices and expected that savings would eventually reach grocery bills. Earl Neel said the country was improving and expressed support for Trump even joking about a third run despite the constitutional two-term limit.
Reeve also revisited Toni Boler, whom she had interviewed two years earlier. Boler said gas prices had improved but she had not yet seen significant relief in grocery costs: "It’s gotten a little better. I mean, the gas prices have gone down. I haven’t seen a lot of difference in the grocery prices." She added that she liked many of the administration's policies but that it was still early in the term to judge the full impact.
Bottom Line
Reeve concluded that while pockets of strong support remain, overall enthusiasm at the parade has softened since her visit two years ago. Attendees offered a mix of praise for economic trends and substantive criticism on policy choices, especially regarding tariffs, immigration enforcement, and the White House renovation.
