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US election: My secret life as a Texan Trump supporter US election: My secret life as a Texan Trump supporter
(about 7 hours later)
In March this year, I received an email informing me that my 2003 Cadillac DeVille had had an urgent safety recall. I was told to take it straight to my local dealer in Texas for a free repair.In March this year, I received an email informing me that my 2003 Cadillac DeVille had had an urgent safety recall. I was told to take it straight to my local dealer in Texas for a free repair.
This would have been unremarkable, except that I live in north London and do not own, and have never shown any interest in owning, a Cadillac - DeVille or otherwise.This would have been unremarkable, except that I live in north London and do not own, and have never shown any interest in owning, a Cadillac - DeVille or otherwise.
On further examination, I realised I had been mistaken for a man called Reuben R - my email address somehow having become attached to his identity.On further examination, I realised I had been mistaken for a man called Reuben R - my email address somehow having become attached to his identity.
I thought little more about it until I received a message three months later - again intended for Reuben R - from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), inviting me to sign a birthday card for Donald Trump.I thought little more about it until I received a message three months later - again intended for Reuben R - from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), inviting me to sign a birthday card for Donald Trump.
When I failed to do so, I received a further email informing me that the signing deadline had been extended and that I should get on with it. "There will be no more extensions - SIGN THE CARD NOW!" commanded the message.When I failed to do so, I received a further email informing me that the signing deadline had been extended and that I should get on with it. "There will be no more extensions - SIGN THE CARD NOW!" commanded the message.
This was the beginning of a whole series of Trump-related emails, intended for Reuben R - evidently a loyal supporter of the Republican Party's presidential candidate, but instead reaching me - a left-leaning, female writer living on the other side of the Atlantic.This was the beginning of a whole series of Trump-related emails, intended for Reuben R - evidently a loyal supporter of the Republican Party's presidential candidate, but instead reaching me - a left-leaning, female writer living on the other side of the Atlantic.
I began to enjoy my double life. Next, I was selected for the honour of having my name inscribed in the official Republican Record Book - for $25. "As a top conservative, we would like to recognize you for your many years of dedication and service to the Republican Party," read the email.I began to enjoy my double life. Next, I was selected for the honour of having my name inscribed in the official Republican Record Book - for $25. "As a top conservative, we would like to recognize you for your many years of dedication and service to the Republican Party," read the email.
I began to feel quite proud - though not enough to pay $25 (£20).I began to feel quite proud - though not enough to pay $25 (£20).
And then I was offered the chance to put a "Vote Trump" sign in my front yard.And then I was offered the chance to put a "Vote Trump" sign in my front yard.
"Don't be the only Trump supporter in your neighbourhood without a sign!" urged the message - although it seemed frankly unlikely that anyone else in Finchley would have one."Don't be the only Trump supporter in your neighbourhood without a sign!" urged the message - although it seemed frankly unlikely that anyone else in Finchley would have one.
Should I put a "Vote Trump" sign up? I mused. I already had two signs attached to my gatepost - one in support of my children's school summer fair, and the other urging locals to help the homeless in Barnet. I doubted there was room for a third.Should I put a "Vote Trump" sign up? I mused. I already had two signs attached to my gatepost - one in support of my children's school summer fair, and the other urging locals to help the homeless in Barnet. I doubted there was room for a third.
"REMEMBER," said the email, "All yard signs are proudly made in the USA! This is YOUR CHANCE to make your yard great again!""REMEMBER," said the email, "All yard signs are proudly made in the USA! This is YOUR CHANCE to make your yard great again!"
When I think of an American front yard, my perception comes straight from the movies. I imagine a large, well-manicured lawn, a porch swing, and a sprinkler in which small children can frolic.When I think of an American front yard, my perception comes straight from the movies. I imagine a large, well-manicured lawn, a porch swing, and a sprinkler in which small children can frolic.
Instead, my Edwardian terraced house has a short path leading up to the front door, a patch of gravel, and a multitude of weeds. My "yard" has never been great, so there is little chance of it becoming great again.Instead, my Edwardian terraced house has a short path leading up to the front door, a patch of gravel, and a multitude of weeds. My "yard" has never been great, so there is little chance of it becoming great again.
Still, even if I did not want a yard sign, there were many more ways in which I could show my support. For a mere $3 (£2.50) I could be entered into a draw to have dinner with Donald Trump as his special guest. For $12 I could have a limited edition Trump-Pence car magnet.Still, even if I did not want a yard sign, there were many more ways in which I could show my support. For a mere $3 (£2.50) I could be entered into a draw to have dinner with Donald Trump as his special guest. For $12 I could have a limited edition Trump-Pence car magnet.
"If only I had a Cadillac DeVille to attach it to," I sighed."If only I had a Cadillac DeVille to attach it to," I sighed.
As the election has drawn closer, the demands for cash have become increasingly frequent and insistent.As the election has drawn closer, the demands for cash have become increasingly frequent and insistent.
The implication is that my donation, and my donation alone (or rather that of my alter ego Reuben R), stands between Mr Trump and the presidency.The implication is that my donation, and my donation alone (or rather that of my alter ego Reuben R), stands between Mr Trump and the presidency.
The messages combine flattery - "As one of Trump's very best supporters…" - with emotional pressure: "Every single Republican is counting on you to help us reach our goal."The messages combine flattery - "As one of Trump's very best supporters…" - with emotional pressure: "Every single Republican is counting on you to help us reach our goal."
There is also nationalism - "Fellow patriot…" - and Christianity... "Thank you and God bless you."There is also nationalism - "Fellow patriot…" - and Christianity... "Thank you and God bless you."
The emails are formatted with huge font sizes and multi-coloured text, to make sure I don't get bored - a bit like an online resource for primary schools. There are repeated attempts to make me feel Donald Trump is writing only to me: "I want to make you proud, Reuben."The emails are formatted with huge font sizes and multi-coloured text, to make sure I don't get bored - a bit like an online resource for primary schools. There are repeated attempts to make me feel Donald Trump is writing only to me: "I want to make you proud, Reuben."
In case my mind should wander before I remember to press the "donate" button, the request to do so is repeated again and again. "Support the Trump victory fund!" shouts a huge red box at the end of every paragraph.In case my mind should wander before I remember to press the "donate" button, the request to do so is repeated again and again. "Support the Trump victory fund!" shouts a huge red box at the end of every paragraph.
In June the strident Trump emails began to vie for space in my inbox with similar appeals from Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida who is also seeking re-election on 8 November. In June the strident Trump emails began to vie for space in my inbox with similar appeals from Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida who is seeking re-election on 8 November.
"I've asked my staff to create exclusive, secure buttons below," he told me, "so that I can personally be notified when you donate. Only with your IMMEDIATE action today can we ensure the United States Senate remains in Republican control.""I've asked my staff to create exclusive, secure buttons below," he told me, "so that I can personally be notified when you donate. Only with your IMMEDIATE action today can we ensure the United States Senate remains in Republican control."
When I failed to provide a contribution, despite the campaign's success resting on my shoulders, I received an email from Senator Rubio himself: "This is disturbing," it read. "I just received a concerning update from my campaign manager, Clint. It's not good. I didn't hear back from you before the End of Quarter deadline. This puts me in a really tough position."When I failed to provide a contribution, despite the campaign's success resting on my shoulders, I received an email from Senator Rubio himself: "This is disturbing," it read. "I just received a concerning update from my campaign manager, Clint. It's not good. I didn't hear back from you before the End of Quarter deadline. This puts me in a really tough position."
"Oh Marco", I thought. "I've let you down. I've let Clint down. And worst of all, I've let myself down.""Oh Marco", I thought. "I've let you down. I've let Clint down. And worst of all, I've let myself down."
It occurs to me that if I have been mistaken for Reuben R, perhaps he has been mistaken for me.It occurs to me that if I have been mistaken for Reuben R, perhaps he has been mistaken for me.
Is he, for example, receiving messages at his home in Texas inviting him to a parents' evening in a north London primary school? Is he wondering why he is being sent money-off vouchers for UK women's clothing stores?Is he, for example, receiving messages at his home in Texas inviting him to a parents' evening in a north London primary school? Is he wondering why he is being sent money-off vouchers for UK women's clothing stores?
And is he sad to be missing out on the chance to be recognised as one of the state's foremost conservatives?And is he sad to be missing out on the chance to be recognised as one of the state's foremost conservatives?
Why has no-one offered to inscribe him in the official Republican Record Book? Why is he the only person in the street without a Trump yard sign?Why has no-one offered to inscribe him in the official Republican Record Book? Why is he the only person in the street without a Trump yard sign?
And most aggravating of all, why has his 2003 Cadillac DeVille broken down?And most aggravating of all, why has his 2003 Cadillac DeVille broken down?
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