Precis

On 4^th July, a small town in Pennsylvania gathers to watch fireworks celebrating its country's independence, hard won in a war fought 250 years ago.

Today parts of America feel like they're at war again, as this powerful country battles disease and division under its polarising and unpredictable President.

As the nation gears up for the presidential election, the ABC's US Bureau Chief David Lipson takes us on a road trip through the northeast swing states to talk to ordinary people about the coming contest.

Trump's re-election looked like a certainty before the pandemic. Now, with the economy buckling under more lockdowns, COVID cases rising and civil unrest running in the streets, his grip on power looks more tenuous.

As fringe groups arm themselves for conflict, will this fractured country survive the ultimate democratic stress-test?

David meets Phil from the Michigan Liberty Militia who's angry about his state's lockdown orders describing them as 'a stomp on our constitutional rights'. In protest, they took control of the State parliament in April. Now Phil warns a Trump defeat could get ugly.

'There's a lot people out there that would not be able to handle that… there is people… that just think Trump is…like a God.'

'Bikers for Trump' member Londa has kept her faith in Trump and is banking on him to deliver the prosperity America used to enjoy.

'He doesn't care what anybody thinks. He's doing what's best for the country.' 

In middle-class Ohio, a professional soccer mum with six children says she's changed her mind about Trump because he's 'unkind'.

'It's just not the way that I would want my kids to be treating anybody'.

In Detroit, once the engine of America's car industry, Dave meets African-American woman Desha. She watched her husband die a painful death from COVID-19 and is now urging African Americans to come out and vote on election day.  

'Gotta do it. Like we have to, you have to, it is so much more important, you know, now than ever before.'

American city GVs

[COVID news audio montage]

00:00

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  America is in crisis. Coronavirus is burning its way through communities right across the nation. Its economy is in trouble,

00:14

Protests

its streets are in turmoil – and its people feel betrayed.

00:31

Robinson at protest

Phil Robinson: "We are the law of the land!"   

00:42

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: A great and powerful nation is at war with itself.

Jae Bass: "We're not really interested in pretty,

00:44

Jae Bass

we're interested in justice.

00:54

Bikers for Trump. Londa on bike

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: And there's an election come November.

00:58

Londa Gatt: "If Trump doesn't win I think we're in a world of hurt."

01:02

American flag

[song:  The Star-Spangled Banner]

01:06

Title: Life & Liberty

01:16

Houses. Super:
Pennsylvania, USA

01:22

Lipson on street in motor home

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Well, we're on assignment for the first time since the virus lockdown began in early March, and it's great to be out on the open road.

01:25

But a second wave of infections is still very worrying, so we've taken our own accommodation with us to try to limit our exposure to the virus, and we're rolling through 

01:33

Super:
David Lipson

several of the states that made up what used to be known as the 'Blue Wall' – that Donald Trump smashed down in 2016, handing him the presidency, to many people's surprise.

01:42

Music

01:54

GFX: Map showing Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  Our road trip will take us from Pennsylvania, through the now marginal Ohio, and to the pivotal state of Michigan.

02:00

Driving shots

Here in Pennsylvania Donald Trump won the last election by less than one percent. It's a battleground and he's slumping in the polls.

02:13

Susquehanna river GVs

Music

02:26

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Our first stop is Wrightsville on the banks of the Susquehanna river.

02:28

Wrightsville. Independence Day  celebrations. Switzenberg in food truck

Wrightsville is steeped in revolutionary history. It's Independence Day, and restauranteur Jim Switzenberg is getting ready to celebrate.

JIM SWITZENBERG:  Honestly, I'm particularly happy with tonight in the fact

02:44

that we are one of the municipalities in the east coast that's doing fireworks, and quite frankly it's a celebration of American freedom. 

03:08

Townspeople gathering for fireworks

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Tonight nearly didn't happen. Governor Tom Wolf shut the state down hard and early when coronavirus arrived.

03:15

TOM WOLF:  The spread of Coronavirus 19 is increasing at an exponential pace. We cannot allow these fireworks to overwhelm our hospitals.

03:26

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: It became a politically charged issue…

Man: "Give me liberty or give me death."

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: …of saving lives or saving the economy. Jim Switzenberg protested too, as his business struggled to survive.

JIM SWITZENBERG:  Did it impact us tremendously? Yes.

03:35

Switzenberg 100%

It was angry, scared and fearful all at the same time. Hard to sleep for a bunch of days.

04:00

Switzenberg at fireworks

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  As the state restrictions ease, Jim cheers on the ideals of freedom that founded the nation.

JIM SWITZENBERG:  Today is the celebration of us deciding

04:08

Switzenberg 100%

that we are a country that is about the people. And everyone is going to be equal in America forever.

04:20

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: He's a swing voter, whose main concern is getting the country moving again.

JIM SWITZENBERG I'm very cautious talking about the Trump.

04:29

Switzenberg interview

Just because it's so polarised America.  Do I think he's the best president we ever had? Probably not. But is he the change we need right now? Probably. Do I want to see him re-elected? I'm not sure. I just would like to see career politicians go away.

04:38

Fireworks

Music

05:01

Driving shots

05:11

Johnstown, Pennsylvania GVs

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  The rust belt of the north east suffered decades of economic decline and people here feel betrayed by governments of both stripes. Industry restructuring in the 1980s saw two million workers lose their jobs.

05:25

Donald Trump’s promise in 2016 to Make America Great Again resonated with white working class men.

05:53

Volunteers handing out food supplies to people in cars

In the four years since, things haven’t changed much for these veterans in Johnstown Pennsylvania.

Man:  "We just served 91 cars in 45 minutes! Great job."

06:03

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: They still call in here once a month for charity food, and despite what the polls say, these men still like Trump.

06:18

Vox pops with vets in cars

"Who did you vote for in 2016? And who are you going to vote for this year?"

Veteran in car:  "I voted for Donald Trump, and I'm going to vote for him again. So is my wife."

06:26

Veteran in car 2: "If I was forced to go vote, I would probably put my support behind Trump and the Republican Party."

06:34

Driving shots. Ohio

Music

06:39

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  Fields of corn greet us in Ohio. It’s a wealthy state with an economy the size of some countries. Trump needs Ohio; no Republican has ever been elected President without it.

06:43

Driving into Edison

At Edison, we stumble on what we thought was a virus testing line.

07:00

"We’re from Australian TV what are you guys doing?

07:08

Food pantry on side of road

Man: "Food pantry."

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: "Oh, food pantry, is it?" 

07:10

Volunteers distribute food boxes

Even in the heart of America’s food basket, the local Baptist Church feeds between two and three thousand people a month.

07:16

Women volunteers

Woman:  "We love Jesus, so we just want to do what needs to be done."

Woman 2:  "Amen. Amen. Amen."

07:26

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Trump’s Christian support is slipping, not here.

07:30

"Is this Trump country?"  

Woman:  "It is. As you’re driving around you’re probably seeing lots of Trump signs. There are some who aren’t crazy about our POTUS, but this gal loves Donald Trump."  

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  "And you ma'am?" 

Woman 2:  "Yes, sir.  All the way. Trump all the way."

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: "What is it you like about him?"

Woman:  "His honesty. I know he's rough. And there are times I wish oh, hush. Be a little nicer. But he’s not afraid to speak his mind."

07:35

Driving shots

Music

08:04

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: In 2016 Trump won Ohio by over 8 per cent, but he’s in

08:06

Aerial. Ohio suburb

trouble in the vast swathe of suburbs like this one, on the outskirts of Columbus in Ohio.  And his campaign is preparing for a fight they didn’t expect.

08:12

Jennifer at home with family

JENNIFER DUNAWAY:  My name is Jennifer Dunaway, and I am a professional soccer mum. I run a soccer academy, and a soccer blog and I have six little soccer players.

08:26

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Jennifer and her husband are life-long Republicans.

08:44

JENNIFER DUNAWAY:  We always voted based on pro-life issues

08:48

Jennifer interview

first and foremost, which automatically makes you Republican.

08:53

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: They’re disheartened by the President’s virus response.

08:57

JENNIFER DUNAWAY:  We have – the medical profession is telling us one thing and then we have

09:02

our political leaders either telling us something else, or scoffing at it.  It's really hard to respect what comes out of the White House when it is constantly changing and constantly contradicting itself.

09:06

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  But that’s not the main reason that come November she’ll do something she’s never done before.

09:22

JENNIFER DUNAWAY: I will vote for Joe Biden. I will.

09:29

Jennifer with Lipson and family in yard

I can't vote for Donald Trump because of just the person that he is.  He doesn't represent me and my values. I mean, that is one of my biggest problems with Donald Trump, is that he has a hard time being kind.

09:32

Aerial. Ohio suburb homes

Music

09:50

Driving shots to Michigan

Radio Announcer:  "We've got a busy show, because frankly the world has gone mad. On Monday, the state of Michigan reported 489…"

10:01

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes.  Since the days of hunters and fur-traders, the concept of freedom has been hotly defended here. Trump won Michigan by just a few thousand votes last time, and he’s desperate to win it again.

10:10

Ohio capitol

When the pandemic arrived, the Democrat state governor Gretchen Whitmer brought in decisive measures to shut down the state.

10:32

Whitmer announcement

Gretchen Whitmer: "Today I’m issuing a stay home stay safe executive order for all Michiganders."

10:45

Protests at Ohio capitol

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: It triggered the virulent politics now playing out nationally. The handling of the public health crisis fell victim to a partisan brawl.

10:51

Aerial. Ohio capitol

Gretchen Whitmer: "We’re so not getting what we need from the federal government. Without a comprehensive national strategy,

11:09

Whitmer announcement

we, the states, must take action."

11:15

Washington

TV Reporter: "Michigan finding itself in the president's crosshairs today…"

11:19

Trump press conference

Trump:  "Michigan, she has no idea what's going on, and all she does is say, 'Oh, it's the federal government's fault. And we've taken such great care of Michigan. "

11:24

Tucker Carlson program excerpt

Tucker Carlson:  "She’s moved aggressively to seize even more control…"

Sean Hannity:  "These restrictions are ridiculous…"

Tucker Carlson:  "Why do they have to ask uncomfortable questions about what Governor Whitmer is doing? They should shut up and if they don't, we're going to arrest them. That's her position."

Sean Hannity:  "I feel bad for law enforcement. They have to enforce these ridiculous rules.

11:30

Ohio protests

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: A series of protests denouncing the governor, culminated in threatening scenes inside the Capitol building.

11:416

Protestors inside Ohio Capitol

CROWD:  "Open the door… You betrayed us… The police have betrayed the people…You're filthy rats."

11:57

Trump

TRUMP:  "These are people expressing their views. They seem to be very responsible people to me.

12:10

Protestors inside Ohio Capitol

CROWD:  "Let us in… Let us in…"

12:14

News report

TV News Host:  "Some members of the Michigan State Legislature are wearing bulletproof vests today."

12:19

Michigan Liberty Militia shooting range

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Michigan Liberty Militia are particularly upset by the lockdown measures.  Phil Robinson is one the founders.

12:25

Robinson interview

PHIL ROBINSON:  It was a stomp on our constitutional rights. I mean executive order is not law. So we often comply to unconstitutional laws.

12:38

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  People entering the Capitol with those long arms, how do you view that?

PHIL ROBINSON:  It should be accepted. It's our right to do that here in the state of Michigan.  The Capitol is we, the people's house. It's a public building. It's everybody's house.

12:47

Michigan Liberty Militia shooting range

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: What do you think of people that say they were intimidated, that they thought it was scary.

13:01

Robinson interview

PHIL ROBINSON:  My rights don't end where your feelings begin. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean that I have to change what I like or do. I will fight for my rights – physically – whatever I have to do. Yes, I will fight to defend my rights, my children's rights.

13:08

Driving to Detroit

Music

13:25

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: In the state's largest city, Detroit, almost 80 per cent of people are African-American. It's a Democrat stronghold; it was decimated by coronavirus.

13:36

Aerials. Detroit

Music

13:51

Jordan and Lipson in park with murals

JAMON JORDAN:  On every level, COVID has exposed inequality in America.

13:58

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Jamon Jordan conducts Black History tours around the city, and through it caught COVID 19.  The virus claimed his mother.

14:07

JAMON JORDAN:  I was sick, but she got sick, and she was gone within

14:18

five days her 14 day quarantine. Within an hour of arriving at the hospital by ambulance.

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: It must be so galling for you to look at people protesting in Lansing at the lockdown.

14:23

JAMON JORDAN:  They got guns, and they're standing in front of law enforcement. And nobody tackles one of them. Nobody puts a knee on their neck. They almost don't even get arrested and they're shouting in the faces of officers. Yes, it is appalling, because African-Americans are dying at a higher rate.  They’re less likely to have health insurance. They’re less likely to be treated correctly by the health system.

14:39

More likely to do the jobs that are most likely to get them in the position of catching this horrible disease.  Which is to me, part of the reason why they went to Lansing. This is a disease that is killing that group of people. And so we don't want to be restricted because they're dying.

15:07

Woman and children at ice cream truck

As a historian, and looking at the way history goes, I'm not an optimist about where we're headed right now.

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  He sees a mixed enthusiasm for voting around him.

JAMON JORDAN:   I'm seeing people who just feel like there has to be a change, and they really, really want to vote.  And there's other people feel like

15:28

Jordan

this is it. There's no chance of anything changing. It's gotten so bad that they're disgusted with the whole system. And they don't believe that there's anything works.

15:50

Detroit

CROWD:  "Black lives matter…"

16:07

Black Lives Matter protest

"Black lives matter…"

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Protests have been held here every day since the police killing of George Floyd.

16:15

In 2016 voter turnout was low here. The challenge for the Democrat campaign is to translate this activism into actual votes.

JAE BASS:  It has a lot to do with the current president, as he is super oblivious to the current social problems that we have.

16:33

Jae Bass interview

But at the same time. It's not just the position of the president. It's not just the position of the vice-president or whoever's in leadership. It's the entire system. And we got to break that entire system.

16:54

Detroit. People wearing masks

Music

17:07

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: The rate of COVID-19 infection in the black community is four times higher than the rest of the state. They were the city’s essential workers during the shutdown. 

17:10

Desha at bus stop

Desha Hargrove's husband drove buses for the city.

DESHA HARGROVE:  He wasn't just a bus driver. He also was a deacon in his church.

17:26

Desha interview/Photos of Jason

That spiritual peace, he had that. Gentle giant and you know, Jason was a big loving – Jason was a big guy, so he can come off as intimidating when you first meet him. He's six, three, but he had a heart of gold.

17:41

Jason livestream video

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Jason made headlines three days after the first COVID death in Michigan. A passenger coughed in the bus and he livestreamed his distress.

17:57

JASON:  "Some folks don't care. Utterly don't give a fuck.  Excuse my language , but that’s how I feel right about now. For a grown assed person, in her late 50s, early 60s to stand on the fucking bus, and cough four or five times without covering up your mouth, and you know we are in the midst of a mother-fucking crisis with this coronavirus, I am pissed the fuck off.

DESHA HARGROVE: Two days later,

18:09

Desha

he was like, I don't feel well.

18:43

Sinai Grace hospital

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: As he got sicker, he made two trips to the local hospital, Sinai Grace, but they wouldn’t admit him. Eventually, struggling to breathe, he asked his son to drive him in once more. 

DESHA HARGROVE:  I love you.

18:50

Desha interview/Desha on bus

He says, I love you too, baby. I said, call me. So I waited and I waited and I waited all night, just for him to give me an update. Let me know what's going on. And I would never get that update. I never got it.

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: While she’s grieving, she’s been laid off from her job as a barista, and she’s worried about how to pay the bills. She’s also facing another problem – the family’s health insurance policy was tied to Jason’s work.  

DESHA HARGROVE:  As of last month, I’m not covered.

19:09

Desha interview

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  Does that worry you now?

DESHA HARGROVE: Of course, like…of course.

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Desha is encouraging people not to waste their vote.

19:59

DESHA HARGROVE:  We have to do so much more than what we're doing. And for those who are not voting at all, got to do it. It's detrimental. Like we have to, you have to, it's so much more important, you know, now than ever before, I believe.

20:20

Lipson visit Londa Gatt

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: An hour out of Detroit, I have an appointment in what feels like an alternate universe.

20:43

"Hey, Londa. David."

LONDA GATT: "Oh, David. You're the guy that I talked to on the phone… Nice to meet you… "

20:57

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Londa Gatt is an ardent Trump supporter as well as a mother and a hairdresser.

21:11

Londa cuts Cathy's hair

21:16

CATHY:  Her and I talk politics all the time. We believe the same way, so it's easy to talk politics with her. Like all of these riots and protests, it's not about George Floyd. They're slowly leading America into socialism.

21:28

LONDA GATT:  It's a test run.

CATHY: Yeah.

LONDA:  One world order.

CATHY:  Yeah. That's what it is.  I believe that, I believe that whole-heartedly that's what's going on.

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  Londa’s mother Cathy doesn’t think much of the virus, either – or isolating at home.

21:41

CATHY:  I was at the store the other day and the lady, she said 'You’re one of those people that aren’t supposed to be out'. And I said, 'Well, yeah, I am out. And you know what? I’m not scared - I don’t believe it’s as bad as they say it is."

21:59

LONDA GATT:  They’re blowing the virus way out of proportion.

CATHY:  Yes, it is.

22:12

Londa shows Lipson her Trump Room

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Londa has offered to show me her Trump Room. She’s deeply afraid for America, and believes he’s been sent by God to save the country.

22:24

"Oh this is a cool room! This is your man?"

22:34

LONDA GATT:   Yeah. I got this as a Christmas present from my kids. He’s badass.  You know what we like about him?  He speaks the truth, he exposes the corruption that was never known to the public and they’ve got away with it for I don’t know how many decades. When I met him, I whispered in his ear and I said 'Listen, you’re going to fry them right? Hillary?' He says 'Don't you worry…I’ll take care of her'. I pray for him a lot. He’s had a lot of attacks on his life, except you don’t hear about it.

22:37

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Londa spends a lot of time on Facebook, where she reads about conspiracies that have been discredited, but she believes are true.

LONDA GATT:  Have you ever heard of Q?

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: QAnon?

23:16

LONDA GATT:  Yeah, they leak a lot of information, but they talk in code…

23:28

Londa shows nursing qualifications

So here, I don’t usually show this, but, – I made the national Dean’s list.

23:33

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: She did a nursing degree, gaining honours.

LONDA GATT: I got my bachelors.  I was the first person in my family. My mum only went to 8th grade. So for me to do that was huge. 

23:41

Londa shows White House event photo

This picture right here is we were invited to a VIP party at the White House.

23:51

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Trump galore. He’s like a superhero for you almost, isn’t he?

LONDA GATT:  Yeah. I think if he doesn’t win, America is screwed. Really. In my opinion. And I was never involved in politics in my life, but when he exposed everything that he did, I just voted. I've never been engaged in the front ground, you know, whatever you want to call it, until I found out what was going on in our country.  And I battled having children, sorry, because of how America was 30 years ago.

23:59

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  Londa remembers the 1980s when the great America she knew ended abruptly.

LONDA GATT:  You know, should I have kids, should I not have kids?

24:41

And then I thought, okay I’m just going to give it to God. And then when Trump exposed all this, I'm like I got to do something to try and help make a difference for my kids, for the future of America. You know. So that’s why I got involved.

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: And you never look back?

LONDA GATT:  Yeah. You can't look back, you just got to keep going…I just love my kids so much.

24:50

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: And is that what all of this is about, really, when it comes down to it, for you?

LONDA GATT:  Yeah, it’s about saving America for the future generations, for the grandkids and stuff like that.

25:19

Bikers for Trump heading to rally

Music

25:35

Londa on motorbike

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  Londa heads up the Michigan chapter of Bikers for Trump. Nationally, the group helped the president win in 2016, and they're gearing up to campaign again. Today, they’re rallying in the state capital to reassert the constitutional right of a citizen to join a well-regulated militia.

25:48

Detroit Capitol

Music

26:11

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: And Donald Trump and the election aren’t far from people’s minds.

26:21

American Patriot Rally at Capitol

Man:  "My fellow patriots, we are gathered here today to demand life. We're here to demand liberty. We're here to demand the pursuit of happiness again in America."

26:27

Robinson at rally

26:57

Black justice counter-protest members

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  A group campaigning for black justice arrives to mount a counter-protest.

27:00

Man:  We will not stand for the destruction of our state, of our country. You will not terrorise us. You will not defund our boys and girls in blue."

27:11

Man yelling at black justice protestors

Man 2: "…Stand up… Every one of them that fought for our country is ashamed of you."

27:24

Paul Birdsong

PAUL BIRDSONG:  There's over 500 of us, but not all of us are here. And we left our guns because we didn't want to seem as if we were approaching aggressively.

27:33

Robinson at protest

PHIL ROBINSON:  This is an absolute joke man. They’re children, children, acting like two year olds. Coming here and disrupting our event, a peaceful event.

27:41

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter: Did it stuff up your speech?

PHIL ROBINSON:  I had a good speech ready, yeah, totally off, just gone. Because I’m an emotional person.

27:50

Protestors face off

Music

27:58

LONDA GATT:  Who in the hell do you they think they are? That's what I'm sick of; I'm sick of all the bullshit. All the whining and crying.

28:07

Londa at protest

I think the deep State is behind this, creating chaos. To try to keep us locked down until the election is over. But they don’t get it -- it doesn’t matter what they do, I believe in my heart, God put him there. Trump’s going to win.

28:13

Music

28:28

Lipson into motor home

28:33

DAVID LIPSON, Reporter:  As we head back I’ve seen that the divisions here are deeply entrenched.

28:42

Lipson driving

Obviously, the election is hugely important in November.  But it’s not everything. There are many more problems that America has to face. It’s hard to know what will come next for America. As the great president Abraham Lincoln once said 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.'

28:53

Credits [see below]

Music

29:17

Outpoint after credits

29:59