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Hats, tattoos and t-shirts: how Americans announce their political support
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Hats, tattoos and t-shirts: how Americans announce their political support

There are many ways the American people can support their chosen presidential candidate: canvassing, campaigning, calling people to persuade them to vote.

But one method of support has been particularly striking throughout this election cycle: the sartorial political statement. From hats to t-shirts, bags and even tattoos, people across the United States have gotten creative in expressing their support for the Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz tickets.

With the race now in its final days, News week examines some of the most striking and memorable ways Americans got creative with their support throughout this historic election year.

Trump supporter
A supporter of former US President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends a watch party for the US presidential debate between Trump and Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in West.. .


GIORGIO VIER/AFP via Getty
Harris-Walz Hat 2024
An attendee wears a hat decorated with a Harris Walz 2024 sticker during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians and…


Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Since announcing his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump rallies have become renowned for their energetic atmosphere, theatrical elements and the fervent commitment of their supporters.

In October, Trump held campaign rally at Calhoun Ranch near CoachellaCalifornia. The event was notable for its location in a majority Democratic state and attracted thousands of supporters despite temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Trump supporter
Supporters gather before a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, October 12, 2024 in Coachella, California. With 24 days until Election Day, former President Donald Trump is…


Mario Tama/Getty Images
Trump supporter
Supporters gather before a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, October 12, 2024 in Coachella, California. With 24 days until Election Day, former President Donald Trump is…


Mario Tama/Getty Images

In August 2024, following the president Joe Bidenof withdrawal from the race, vice-president Kamala Harris won the Democratic presidential nomination.

Harris bag
Merchandise featuring Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris is displayed on a vendors table before a campaign rally at the Erie Insurance Arena October 14, 2024 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Harris campaigned…


Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Harris’ candidacy has breathed new life into the Democrats» campaign, and the first days of the vice president’s White House bid focused on joy.

Amid the euphoria, singer Charli XCX posted on X, formerly Twitterthis ‘Kamala IS brat’, in a nod to her recent album, kidwhich is synonymous with a shade of neon green (now nicknamed brat green) and a party girl persona.

Harris’ association with kid became a dominant mood of the campaign as his team pushed kid memes and Charli XCX’s post generated a multitude of thoughts and table discussions.

Harris
A supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris wears a button during a campaign rally encouraging early voting October 19, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Vice President Harris and Republican President…


Élie Nouvelage/Getty Images

Trump was arrested in August 2023 in Fulton County, Georgia, where he was charged with attempting to subvert the law. Election 2020 results in the state, marking the first time a former U.S. president faced criminal charges.

The image of his identification photo has since become an icon among his supporters and has stepped up their support for someone they perceive to be politically persecuted.

Asset
Clothing is sold with photos of former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking at a campaign rally at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, October 11, 2024.

KIA RASTAR/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

On July 13, 2024, at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump survived an assassination attempt. The attacker, 20 years old Thomas Matthew Crooksfired several shots from a rooftop about 130 yards away, injuring Trump’s right ear.

The image of Trump after the bullet grazed his ear instantly became a defining moment of the campaign. Since then, it has been adopted by many of his supporters.

Trump supporter
A supporter before attending former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s speech during a campaign rally at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, October 11, 2024.

KIA RASTAR/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Throughout Harris’ campaign, a number of different groups formed to mobilize support for the vice president, including Black Men for Harris, Survivors for HarrisAnd White guys for Harris.

Harris supporters
Attendees display a “Black Men For Harris-Walz” shirt during Brothas and Brews: Black Men’s Town Hall sponsored by Team Harris-Walz and the Democratic Party of Georgia at Atlantucky Brewing on October 11, 2024 in Atlanta,…


Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Harris supporters
Vendors sell shirts along South Main Street as people wait to attend a campaign rally with Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the McHale Athletic Center September 13, 2024 in Wilkes. ..


Puce Somodevilla/Getty Images

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