We circled back with community members whom we heard from before November’s election and asked them: “If you had two minutes with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance what would you say?”
Here’s what they said.
‘I’m most concerned with actions that build community resilience’
Name: Brenda Coley
Age: 70
Occupation: Co-executive director of Milwaukee Water Commons
Neighborhood: Brewers Hill
“We live in a representative democracy, not a monarchy. At this moment in our politics, speaking before Trump and Vance would not be an effective way to advance policies that address components of environmental justice and protect our communities from adverse effects of climate change.
“I’m most concerned with actions that build community resilience such as support for public water infrastructure and increasing publicly available funding to build a robust tree canopy across the state. Our canopy cover is not distributed evenly and can help mediate extreme weather events tied to climate change.”
‘We trust that you will deliver for the people of this great nation’
Name: Erik Ngutse
Age: 33
Occupation: Community activist
“Congratulations on your well-deserved victory! We are excited to see what you will accomplish. The African American community, especially the forgotten Black and Hispanic men, many of us are very excited to get the country back in shape.
“As for the country as a whole, it will be wonderful to regain respect as a nation. I look forward to seeing America not being taken advantage of and ensuring that every country pays its fair share. I hope we can expand school choice, bring more jobs back and, most importantly, that you are allowed to lead without the obstacles that were put on your last administration. This includes challenges from the mainstream media; career politicians who prioritize their own agendas over the American people; and unelected bureaucrats in D.C.
“The country, my state and my family will be praying for you. We trust that you will deliver for the people of this great nation.”
‘We’re a nation of immigrants’
Name: Rickey Townsell
Age: 71
Occupation: Chair of the NAACP Milwaukee Branch political action committee, Army veteran
Neighborhood: Sherman Park
“There’s so much I would like to say, it would take me a few minutes to get my thoughts together. I mean, it’s like asking Santa Claus what you want for Christmas. You want everything, but you want to prioritize what’s the most important. I guess I would try to impress upon them that we are one America, and we have to put people before politics. Don’t forget that this is not an oligarchy; this is a democracy.
“One class is not better than any other. There is no class system. There should be no class system in the country. And since the beginning of our great nation, we’re a nation of immigrants. And we can’t forget what’s written on the Statue of Liberty. … People should come into the country the right way. We shouldn’t have people smuggled and just coming in willy-nilly. But we still are a country of immigrants, and we can’t forget it. That would just be part of what I would say to them.”
‘Real change isn’t coming from D.C.—it starts with us’
Name: Drea Rodriguez
Age: 46
Occupation: Global program manager
Neighborhood: Near South Side
“I don’t share my principles with Trump, Vance, or either political party consistently because I fundamentally oppose genocide in any form—and separating families is exactly that.
“According to the UN definition, genocide includes acts intended to destroy a group, in whole or in part, and tearing families apart fits the bill. Honestly, neither political party seems to have the moral compass to treat immigrants as anything more than pawns, whether as tokens of war or commodities.
“Looking ahead, it feels like we’re stuck in Idiocracy, with WWE-style drama and the moral depth of a McDonald’s value meal. Whoever takes over next—on either side—will have the unenviable task of bringing common sense and actual values back into play, but let’s be real: We’re not getting to that ‘trailblazing equitable nation’ vision anytime soon. Instead of waiting for Washington to make sense or we gain a third party that appeals to democratic-socialist values, let’s keep a global perspective, stay informed by following reliable sources like AP News and focus on meaningful local and global initiatives. Real change isn’t coming from D.C.—it starts with us.”
‘I really have nothing to say’
Name: Michael Kittelson
Age: 31
Occupation: Internet sales manager
Neighborhood: Walker’s Point
“I really have nothing to say to either of them at this point. I would stare at them in silence for two minutes and then get up and leave.”
‘I wouldn’t waste it trying to change Trump’
Name: Raegan Niemela
Age: 30
Occupation: Court reporter
Neighborhood: Riverside Park
“If I had two minutes with Donald Trump and JD Vance, I wouldn’t waste it trying to change Trump.
“I think I’d just spend it asking: ‘Wait, who are you? Sorry, Donald Trump? You’re the president? So crazy, never heard of you. Anyways, I really like that guy’s eyeliner’ just so they could experience disrespect and blatant disregard for their existence just once in their lives.”
‘What is the plan?’
Name: Dana Kelley
Age: 49
Occupation: Community activist
Neighborhood: North Side
“Mr. President, I don’t have much to say because I’ve never pondered this opportunity. I do, however, have questions and concerns. As someone who ran for school board, education is very important to me. What is your plan for ensuring America’s children are well-educated? Is there a chance for a better community under your leadership? There is a lot about you and your plans that I don’t understand. So, can you honestly and genuinely explain it? What is the plan?”
It’s your turn
“If you had two minutes with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance what would you say?”
Send us your thoughts by email (put “my thoughts” in subject line) or put them in the comments.
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