Trump voter Teri Kopp, who cast her ballot for Donald Trump in 2024 based on his promises to restore economic prosperity, announced this week that she and her husband have begun painting decorative rocks to distribute as holiday gifts this year, a creative solution she attributes to "being fiscally responsible during these tremendous economic times."
Kopp, who specifically cited Trump's business acumen and pledge to lower prices on Day One as key factors in her voting decision, has embraced what she calls "a return to simpler values" by sitting in darkness each evening to reduce electricity costs. The thrifty measure comes as her household navigates mounting medical bills, credit card debt, and student loan obligations for her daughter, who remains unemployed despite graduating from college last year.
"President Trump promised to bring prices down immediately, and while we're still waiting for that to fully materialize, we're doing our part by cutting unnecessary expenses like lighting," Kopp explained while applying a festive coat of acrylic paint to a river stone. "These hand-painted rocks really capture the spirit of the season—affordable, meaningful, and made with the resources God provided us for free in our backyard."
The holiday rocks, which Kopp estimates cost approximately $0.00 in raw materials plus $3.47 for craft paint, represent a significant savings over her previous gift-giving budget. Each stone features inspirational messages such as "Hope," "Faith," and "2026 Will Be Different," carefully rendered by the light of a single candle to avoid running up the electric bill.
Kopp's daughter, Sarah, 23, has submitted over 400 job applications since graduating with a bachelor's degree, a situation her mother describes as "character-building" and "exactly the kind of grit this generation needs." Sarah currently spends her days in the darkened family home, conserving electricity while refreshing job search websites on her phone's data plan.
"We voted for President Trump because we trusted him to turn the economy around," Kopp said, squinting at her rock painting in the dim twilight. "The fact that we're now supplementing our gift budget with geological crafts from our landscaping just proves we're adaptable Americans who know how to make the best of this incredible economic boom we're experiencing."
When asked about reports showing grocery prices up 85% for some items and Connecticut facing significant federal funding cuts under the current administration, Kopp remained optimistic. "Those are just liberal statistics," she noted. "Real Americans measure success by how creative we can get with our Christmas presents, and by that metric, we're thriving."
The Kopp family plans to distribute approximately 37 painted rocks to friends and family this December, each one a testament to what Teri calls "the prosperity and abundance of Trump's America." Recipients are advised to display their gifts prominently, preferably in well-lit areas, as the detailed brushwork is difficult to appreciate in darkness.
