Students for Trump comes to Saddleback College
Two days after Donald Trump’s rally in Costa Mesa on Thursday, April 28, a Facebook page called Students for Trump at Saddleback College appeared in support of the potential Republican Party presidential candidate.
The page, categorized as a “political organization,” claimed “Studnets” (sic) for Trump at Saddleback believes Donald Trump is the “best candidate and most well prepared leader” for the 2016 presidential election.
“As the election nominee becomes clearer, we would ask that students and faculty reconsider their predisposed notions of who our candidate is,” the group said. “While much of the rhetoric seen on mainstream media has shown sound bites and placed extremism as a central tone of our candidate, this is not the case.”
There is no contact information on the page and the group’s administrators would not comment on who is organizing or leading the group. The club has not yet been active on campus.
“Donald J. Trump is running for president based on the idea that America has the capacity to improve and become better,” the group said. “We do not tolerate racism, sexism and extremism. We believe illegal immigration is a policy issue not a race issue.”
To become a recognized club at Saddleback College, students need to review an orientation presentation and submit a club activation form. The adviser of the proposed club is then contacted and assigned a room if the activation form is approved.
Students for Trump at Saddleback College is not a club, said Erin Long, senior administrative assistant for clubs on campus.
The group is also unaffiliated with Saddleback College Young Americans for Freedom Chapter. YAF is a level 2 club, meaning they get priority meeting times in the school’s Leadership Lab and have access to request and utilize funds.
“Students for Trump is a completely separate club, but I believe some members and our chapter are involved,” said Audra Leslie, chair for YAF at Saddleback.
Because YAF is a nonpartisan organization, they do not endorse potential candidates running for office.
“Young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise and traditional values,” Leslie said. “As the principal outreach organization of the Conservative Movement, the Foundation introduces thousands of American youth to these principles.”
YAF’s outreach efforts include “conferences, seminars, educational materials, internships and speakers to young people across the country.” The group’s posters reading “resist liberal zombie professors” can be seen around campus. The posters depict 3 red silhouettes with a hammer and sickle on their chests.
Young Americans for Freedom is part of Young America’s Foundation, a nationwide organization promoting conservative ideals.
Students for Trump is student led organization with 42 chapters nation-wide. The organization’s Washington chapter erected an 8-foot “Trump Wall” at University of Washington last week. The organization is not directly associated with the Trump’s presidential campaign, but they “support all their efforts.”
Breanna Greenup contributed to this article.
