Edward Bourke on the Final Weeks of Donald Trump's Campaign

VICE first met Edward Bourke, the sharply dressed Melbourne teenager trying to get Donald Trump elected as President of the United States, back in May. Edward told us that Trump's economic credentials and straight up approach are what America needs.

But that was before Trump's tax records, leaked by the New York Times, showed the Donald may have avoided paying any federal income tax for 20 years. It was before the Access Hollywood tape, where Trump brags about non-consensually grabbing women "by the pussy."

In fact, there's been a lot of damaging stuff unearthed since we last spoke to Australia's biggest mini Trump supporter. So we decided to check in with Edward, to find out how he feels in light of everything that's happened. Does he still believe Trump is the change America needs?

VICE: Hey Edward, welcome back. Let's start with Trump's "grab them by the pussy" comments. What did you make of that? 
Edward Bourke: Well, look. There's no excuse for that sort of disgusting language, absolutely none, but he apologised for that and it was obviously a long time ago. I would also argue that he wasn't the first person to become a big name celebrity then say things they regret.

But those comments seemed like an insight into the kind of guy he really is.
Perhaps you could see it as an insight, and certainly into the person he was, but I think we also have to recognise that this was a long time ago. This was in 2005, so it was a long time ago and people change. Also he's apologised and said that those comments were wrong. And I totally agree, it was a disgusting comment, but I think it's important to recognise it's not something he believes now.

Yeah but Trump says a lot of stuff. How do you know he doesn't believe that?
Well, I can only go on the basis of what he has said publicly. Of course, whatever his private views are aren't really any of my business and I can't speculate on them. But as he has spoken extensively with his daughters on the matter—they are quite close to him and they are very accomplished in their respective areas—I think he's probably changed his mind.

Ok let's move on. What are your thoughts on Trump declaring a loss of nearly a billion dollars in his tax records?
Well, obviously, businesses have their ups and they have their downs. If you're running a $10 billion dollar a year company there are going to be years—especially in the 1990s—where you're going to be losing money. I also think it's been quite admirable of him to be able to drag his company out of that sort of loss rather than just cave into pressure.

He declared bankruptcy. He didn't just declare a loss.
Well, you know, there are many business people who have declared bankruptcy. And many people who are in that situation just cave in and they never start up that company again or they move on to another venture.

People have argued he only declared bankruptcy to avoid paying tax. What do you think of that accusation?
Well, I have advocated previously for people's right to avoid tax. I think that is your legal right and people shouldn't judge you for that, as long as you're doing it legally, of course.

Is avoiding tax ethically defensible?
I believe personally, and I've said this before, that everybody's morals are different. His morals are that he's doing everything he can to pay the lowest amount of tax possible, but then return good will to the community philanthropically. I think that if that is his decision then that is a very admirable one.

The tax avoidance and the misogynistic comments have been part of a string of tough blows to the Trump campaign in the last few weeks. How well do you think the campaign is running right now?
I think the campaign is running smoothly and he will gain and lose ground to Hillary as the campaign goes forth. I do believe personally that he will win, but that is just because I believe that his downsides perhaps seem to be springing a lot from the past, whereas Hillary's seem to be quite well-established in the present.

What's your prediction for the election?
I think Donald Trump will win, but I don't think it will be by very much. I think we'll see an outcome very, very much like Brexit. People still really believed in Brexit and really believed in new opportunities, and I believe people in America really believe in something new as well.

You've been trying to drum up support for Trump in Australia. How has your site Trump Triumph 2016 been going?
Well I don't post on Twitter very much at all any more, because I find that the best way isn't through social media it's just through talking to people. If someone starts talking to me, I'll start engaging them more about what his policies are and what he's going to bring to not only America but to the whole world.

Have people at school been interested?
There are certainly some people at school who are very interested and some that aren't.

What if I said to you that Donald Trump is an unhinged, hyper-narcissistic, tangerine ballbag?
I would say that, that is your view, and that you have the right to that view and I respect your right.

Okay, how about just the narcissist bit. Do you see any truth in that?
Well I think that he has a certain level of self confidence which is extremely important in a presidential candidate, and I think that any political candidate must have confidence in themselves in order to believe in what they're saying.

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