Supporter mans mobile Trump stand

Steve Goodman longs for the day when he can hawk “Make America Great Again” caps and “Trump 2020” T-shirts that were made in America.

For now, from his roadside stand along U.S. 2 in Evergreen, Goodman, 51, sells pro-Trump merchandise that is manufactured just about anyplace else. In China and South Korea. In the Dominican Republic and Honduras and Bangladesh.

“In a perfect world, I’d like to be able to put a banner up that says ‘Made in the U.S.A,’” he said.

The “Make America Great Again” cap, which sells for $20, was made in China. Goodman understands the irony and clearly feels a measure of chagrin about it.

Another Trump cap was made in South Korea, but embroidered in the U.S., he said. It sells for $30.

Goodman believes President Trump is trying to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

“It’s gradual, baby steps to get there,” he said.

Goodman, who lives in Emmett, Idaho, started hawking Trump merchandise during the 2016 campaign and said he’s been selling it ever since and plans to continue as the 2020 campaign continues.

He said he set up a stand on election night near Trump Tower in New York City. But he said his best sales came during the new president’s inauguration in January 2017.

Goodman said he has set up shop at 48 rallies, including three Trump appearances last year in Montana. He said he failed to make it to Kalispell for separate visits by Donald Trump Jr. and Vice President Mike Pence. His current trip to the region is tied to missing those events, he said.

He is fully aware that Trump can be a polarizing figure.

“He’s not a perfect person. Did we ask for a perfect president, a perfect world?” Goodman said. “He’s very outspoken and he gets himself in trouble sometimes.”

Some people who have driven by Goodman’s tent and folding tables stand in Evergreen have honked their support.

Others have shot him the finger, he said.

“That’s on a daily basis,” Goodman added.

Others confront him more directly, he said.

“They don’t have the right to come over and get in my face,” Goodman said. “Go out and vote.”

Barry Hatton of Kalispell stopped Wednesday morning to buy another Trump cap.

“I need one more,” Hatton said. “My girlfriend chewed me out for not getting her one.”

He said it didn’t bother him that the cap was manufactured overseas.

John Anderson bought a Trump cap. Anderson said he is from California but recently acquired land in the Flathead Valley.

“I’m tired of the liberal loonies in California,” he said.

Anderson said he is confident Trump will win re-election.

“I’d bet $10,000 on it, right now,” he said.

Another customer declined to disclose his name. He wore a handgun on his hip. He said he believes a civil war is likely to erupt if Trump is not re-elected.

Meanwhile, Goodman said he plans to stay at the U.S. 2 location in Evergreen until Sunday and then move to a spot somewhere in Columbia Falls. He anticipates being there for about a week and then heading home to Idaho for a break.

Goodman said he once met Ivanka Trump and a Pence son-in-law and hopes someday to be face to face with Trump himself — something he said could happen if the president learns Goodman is out in the trenches, supporting his campaign.

“Maybe someday I can get a meet-and-greet,” he said.

Reporter Duncan Adams may be reached at dadams@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.