FLORIDA | A Quebecer who travels around Florida with his food truck to bring Americans and Quebecers together around poutine regrets having once believed in a Trump presidency and fears seeing his adopted country descend into violence.
“In 2016, I believed that it was Donald Trump who was going to help the United States. But I realized that it had instead been a huge mistake, perhaps the one that Americans needed to wake up,” says Eric Primeau while preparing poutine in the back of his restaurant truck parked in the middle of the rural Florida, in Myakka City.
This former computer scientist with a career of more than 25 years took up residence in the southern United States a little over 13 years ago. With his wife and their son, he lives in a small farming town located about fifty kilometers from Sarasota, on the Gulf of Mexico. He does not have the right to vote.
“We are far from the city, here, from the beautiful beaches. We are really in the countryside. For many people here, Donald Trump is someone who has presence, who is far from the serious old politicians. When he speaks, people recognize each other, so it attracts,” explains the 53-year-old man crossing his truck where the temperature was around 37 degrees Celsius.
Taboo subject
But the man who opened Florida Poutine two years ago quickly became disillusioned when he saw the division that the billionaire brought to his adopted country.
“If Mme Harris wins, I think there will be riots (pro-Trump people), perhaps for several weeks before it calms down,” he believes. According to him, the ex-president’s fanatics may not accept a defeat and he expects the billionaire to add fuel to the fire as he did during the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
What if Trump wins the election? “I also think that it risks being catastrophic,” Mr. Primeau, who fears a Trump government, is already anticipating.
A feeling shared by many Quebecers living in Florida, and Americans who are also preparing, for some, to leave the country in the event of the victory of the ex-president.
Especially since Trump won the election in 2016, he has seen that it is increasingly difficult to succeed in healthy debate and sharing of ideas.
“We can no longer discuss politics,” he laments.
For most Americans and Quebecers encountered by The Journal, The election is a very hot topic, which many prefer not to approach.
“It’s like walking on eggshells, you never know how the other person will react,” continues the man who dreams of bringing people together around food.
Photo Clara Loiseau
Gabrielle Cataford-Sauvé, a local Quebecer who stopped by to buy poutine when the Newspaper, agrees in the same direction.
“Here, I never talk about religion or politics. These are subjects that are too sensitive here,” explains the career veterinarian.
“One of my neighbors is pro-Trump, the other is pro-Democrat and they only argue with each other, so I prefer just not to broach the subject,” explains the 35-year-old, salivating in front of her typical Quebecois dish.
The damage from Hurricanes Helen and Milton that hit Sarasota was still clearly visible, even though the first hurricane swept the coast on September 21. Most businesses in the particularly ravaged St. Armands district had not yet reopened their doors or even started work.
Photo Clara Loiseau
Putin unites
Lately with the hurricanes Helene And Milton which hit this part of Florida with force, politics is no longer at the heart of the discussions.
“Before, yes, we talked a little about the candidates, the election, but now, everything revolves around hurricanes,” explains Mr. Primeau, offering a classic poutine to a state employee.
While awaiting the results of the election, Mr. Primeau just hopes that he can continue to bring together Quebecers and Americans around a good poutine with real cheese curds.
