When Donald Trump purposefully strode into the Capitol Rotunda for his swearing-in as president, Gary Himelfarb had already had enough.
“I'm getting sick just looking at him,” he said.
“I feel sorry for you, Gary,” his friend Jack Minckler replied.
Trump's inauguration as the nation's 47th president was a day of celebration and glory for some, and his nationally televised recovery was a can't-miss opportunity to watch and enjoy his remarkable political comeback.
For others, it was a blot on history, a cause for horror and despondency, and a reason to stay far, far away from a television set or anywhere that might convey the sound of Trump's triumphant voice.
It all depended on your perspective and political stance.
Read more: Trump is sworn in as the country's 47th president, sealing a historic comeback
Neither Himelfarb nor Minckler, neighbors in this small patch of wine country, are what you would call hardline political activists. That might explain why they get along well and why the two agreed to watch Trump's inauguration together over coffee and morning buns in the attic of Himelfarb's small A-frame on a quiet side street.
They sat next to each other on a green couch in front of a large TV screen tuned to CBS, a more neutral alternative to other, unabashedly pro- or anti-Trump networks.
Himelfarb, 70, a supporter of Kamala Harris who describes himself as very liberal, pushed 40 when he voted for the first time in the presidential election and cast his vote for Bill Clinton.
He sat with a defeated look as Trump delivered his speech, uttering a quiet series of grunts, groans and a few swear words. When the Rev. Franklin Graham suggested in his opening prayer that Trump's victory was a gift from the Lord, Himelfarb said, “God did not do this.”
Minckler agreed. “I doubt God had much to do with it,” he said.
Minckler, 70, said he became a Republican mainly because that was how he was raised. A fiscal conservative and moderate on social issues, he supported Trump all three times he sought the White House but said it was largely a party-line vote. Still, he was glad Harris had lost, as the former vice president was definitely not qualified to serve in the Oval Office.
Minckler sat impassively three feet away from Himelfarb, his arms folded as he took in Trump and his celebratory demeanor.
“Do you feel liberated?” he asked his friend when Trump declared his Ascension Day America's 'Liberation Day'.
“I'm going to live my life,” Himelfarb said resignedly.
“I'm just glad it's over,” Minckler responded, summing up the thoughts of many after a long and extraordinarily brutal presidential campaign.
The two met through a shared interest in antiques.
Himelfarb has a small antique shop on the main road to Calistoga, where the gregarious owner is a familiar sight on the shop's wide veranda, waving to passersby. Minckler, who owns an antique store in Petaluma, about an hour away, lives around the corner from Himelfarb's business.
Jack Minckler, left, and Gary Himelfarb generally don't talk politics, which may be why they get along so well. (Mark Z. Barabak/Los Angeles Times)
Both came from elsewhere. Himelfarb spent most of his life in the East Coast music scene, popularizing reggae in the US as a producer and founder of his own record label. He moved to Calistoga in 2016, a small town known for its hot springs and mud baths.
Minckler, who owns a company that manufactured and sold high-end furniture and upholstery, moved to wine country from Portland in 2018 after years of vacationing in Calistoga.
Back at the loft, the two joked, more amiably than hostilely.
“Is there anyone fact-checking him?” Himelfarb asked, after Trump had embarked on one of many fanciful flights.
“Gary, do you really believe what most politicians say?” Minckler asked.
“No,” Himelfarb replied.
“That's insane, taking back the Panama Canal!” Himelfarb exclaimed at another point, after Trump promised to do just that.
“Oh, he's just negotiating now,” Minckler assured him.
There were other areas of consensus besides God's agnostic stance on the 2024 election.
“He's taking over the country,” Himelfarb said as the camera panned to Elon Musk applauding Trump's promise to plant the Stars and Stripes on Mars. “I think we should take care of the Earth” instead of pouring money into space travel, Himelfarb said.
“One hundred percent,” Minckler agreed.
When Trump said the American people had spoken and put him back in power, Himelfarb conceded the point.
“That's the truth,” he said.
“It is,” said Minckler.
“You got him,” Himelfarb said of the politically revived Trump. Then, sarcastically, “Amen.”
Read more: Trump has made many “Day 1” promises. Will he make up for them?
As Trump wrapped up his nearly 30-minute speech, Minckler said a little joke: “Do you think Biden is still awake?”
“At least Biden showed up,” Himelfarb shot back.
Afterward, both praised Trump for his firm actions and for what Himelfarb described as a clear sense of mission — something, he said, that Democrats seemed to lack.
“It's kind of nice to have someone who can give a whole speech without stumbling,” Minckler said. “I think he's going to bring strength back to the United States. I think the world needs a leader.”
He is quite optimistic about the future and expects Trump to do better in a second administration with the experience he took from the first administration.
If he keeps interest rates low, curbs inflation, keeps the U.S. from going to war and grows the economy enough to make a dent in the national debt, he will consider Trump's second White House run a success, Minckler said.
Himelfarb is less optimistic.
He is concerned that Trump is rolling back civil liberties, including the right to abortion in states where it still exists, and that Latinos are being targeted with cruel and punitive immigration policies.
He showed how, yes, America can be made a better place. But will Trump and his policies deliver? The only thing anyone can do, he said, is wait.
And hope.
“He was chosen,” Himelfarb said. “We cannot overturn this election. So we have Trump for four years.”
Minckler good-naturedly offered his support.
“Gary,” he said, “I come to comfort you every day.”
“Thanks, Jack,” Himelfarb replied.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
