Two weeks ago, during the week of the now-infamous storming of Capitol Hill, I met Patriot J at one of the many Pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rallies and marches. A law student and musical artist, he was gracious enough to allow me to photograph him and ask several questions about his passionate support of the now former President. Here is his remarkably candid response.
“I just turned 24 on the 8th of this month. I’m in my third year[of law school] and I’ll be graduating this spring. I go to a school in California that I prefer not to disclose as I’ve had disgruntled lefties report my conduct on Twitter to my school’s administration in the past. I’ve traveled to DC four times now. The first two were semester-long stints from Jan-May of 2018 & 2020. During 2018’s spring semester I was working on the Hill for former Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25) [my home district]. Spring 2020 I was back working on the Hill for Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-04) as a legal extern. My most recent trip a couple weeks ago was to celebrate my mom’s birthday, which is on the 2nd, and I wanted to witness the #stopthesteal pro-trump protest demonstration that took place Jan 5 & 6.
What I like about Trump the most is his anti-establishment energy. I was drawn to him because he was a political outsider who had the balls to take on both the Democratic & Republican establishments. I believe the most important part of his legacy was his ability to wake people up to the biased mainstream media. I was never a fan of our corporate press, which I believe is just an extension of the Democrat party. When I watched him get stadiums full of people chant “CNN SUCKS” I was hooked. I am also a fan of his policies. Strong border security makes sense. Getting America out of outdated trade deals was key to bringing more manufacturing jobs back in the country. His foreign policy was pretty impressive. No new wars, bringing troops home, and negotiating historic peace deals.
I don’t know if I would consider myself conservative or republican honestly. If I had to label myself, if anything, I would say I’m a populist. I want the government to work for the people and put in policies that take care of the people. Up until 2015, I was a life-long Dem. My ideological awakening was inspired by an introductory logic course I took during my second semester of undergrad. The summer after that semester Trump announced his candidacy and from there I was a fan. I don’t know if I consider myself a Republican because I only voted Red because of Trump. If the party goes back to their Neo-con, establishment ways, I probably wouldn’t support them anymore. In a battle between conservative and liberal, I definitely lean conservative but I don’t know if my convictions are strong enough to consider myself a conservative. There are things that I believe that wouldn’t necessary fall under the “conservative” spectrum. Like health care reform for instance.
I don’t really take it personal when another person, black or not, calls me names because of my beliefs. I know that it is more of a reflection of themselves than it is an indictment of me. I actually embrace the name calling, which is why I decided to name my independent record label Coonluminati. There’s not much left to be said to a man who embraces the epithet. It’s the B-rabbit in 8 mile battle rap approach. When people actually want to have a discussion about Trump and the Black community I try to get them to understand their perception of Trump comes solely from the mainstream media, then I point out the fact that the MSM is controlled. After that I try to highlight Trump’s accomplishments for the Black community like HBCU funding, fighting for school choice, or the First Step Act. I never intend to switch liberals’ minds when I talk to them, but I try to get them to see another side of Trump they haven’t considered or been exposed to.
My mother is a Dem, but she’s not as politically active as I am, so our political conversations aren’t too in-depth. My father on the other hand, completely different story. He is also a Dem and he’s been bombarding me with anti-Trump messages for four entire years. When my mom and I talk politics she usually just warns me about associating with such a polarizing figure Like Trump. I feel like as a mother, she’s always worried about my safety. There are times when she says stuff like “watch who you wear that around,” or “don’t bring up Trump around these people.” I never listen though. HAHA. During my third trip to DC, I flew out for a march for Trump that happened late in November, and she was super worried and concerned for me, but I made it back home in one piece so I think that quelled any fears she had.
I would describe my music as political hip-hop. I use rap as a creative medium to express myself, and politics is what comes natural to me and what I’m most interested in, so it pours out in my raps. I rap about political things because it is true to myself and that is all that I ever want to be. I’ve been fooling around with music for a decade now, but I began to take it seriously a couple years ago, and this past October I released my first album under the pseudonym Patriot J.”
You may find him on Twitter and Instagram @sirhottest and at his website, www.patriotj2024.com
Patriot J in Washington, D.C., January 5, 2021 (Rodney Choice/Choice Photography)