Donald Trump, just days away from being inaugurated as America’s 47th president, never seemed to doubt that he could win November’s US presidential election – and neither did one stanchly red county located in western Nebraska.
Grant County proved it was more Republican than most when 95.9 per cent – or some 351 voters out of 366 – marked their dot for Mr Trump.
In comparison, just 15 voted for Kamala Harris on their cards, officially sealing Grant County’s fate as America’s ‘Trumpiest’ county.
That the majority of voters backed Trump over other candidates suggests a place that overwhelmingly believes in his conservative, unorthodox brand of Republicanism.
It’s all the more incredible that their opinions largely align with one another given that Grant County has a population of just under 600 people, making it the fourth-least populous county in Nebraska – and the ninth least populous in the US.
And yet, the county covers a vast 800 square miles, making it at least a third larger than Greater London.
Forget Cheers, here in Grant County it’s likely everyone really does know everyone’s name in this remote corner of Nebraska.
Dotted between the residences, the county’s largest town, Hyannis, and two hamlets, Whitman and Ashby, boasts a few post offices, businesses and churches, but little else.
Grant County proved it was more Republican than most when 95.9 per cent – or some 351 voters out of 366 – marked their dot for Donald Trump
TeJay Fenster, pictured with his wife, describes Grant County as a ‘no BS place’
The sprawling acres are largely peppered with cattle herds and rifle-welding, Stetson-wearing ranchers protecting their land from coyotes.
The nearest doctor is some 70 miles away, as is the cinema. For anyone wanting to go to hospital, they will need to travel more than 100 miles.
Trump’s isolationist policies don’t go down well with everyone, but for those who come from Grant County, the reliance on just each other in this remote outback is a more than accepted way of life.
Rancher TeJay Fenster, who lives in Grant County with his wife and two children, describes Grant County as a ‘no BS place’.
He told The Telegraph it was no coincidence that Trump has largely won over hearts and minds in Grant County, adding that many were left ‘disgruntled’ by Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.
‘Trump just has to deliver now. I think he can,’ he said.
Meanwhile, local rancher and Republican county commissioner Brian Brennemann, holds strong views over ‘kids who identify as cats’, homosexuality and what he refers to as ‘the pronoun business’.
With Trump coming into power, he refuses to believe it will be anything but a boon for his community.
It’s all the more incredible that their opinions largely align with one another given that Grant County has a population of just under 600 people, making it the fourth-least populous county in Nebraska – and the ninth least populous in the US. Pictured: The hamlet of Ashby
‘Good times are ahead alright,’ he said.
Dissenters are hard to find, but of the 15 who voted for Harris, one 83-year-old is comfortable to make the admission.
‘Screw it,’ she said defiantly. ‘It’s what I voted and if it bothers people, then that is their problem.’
She loves the place she has called home for some six decades, but concedes many hold old-fashioned, perhaps even sexist, views in this county where a love for Trump has seemingly flourished.