As Thanksgiving 2024 drew to a close, the nation was beset by a sense of dread that had become all too familiar. Just as in 2016, when half the country woke up to the reality of Donald Trump's presidency, this time around it felt like Groundhog Day – with the same dismal outcome and no escape from the nightmare.
Despite being impeached twice, facing an insurrection, convicted of numerous felonies, found liable for sexual abuse, and indicted multiple times, including for conspiring to overturn election results in Georgia, Trump somehow managed to win re-election. The turkey, pumpkin pie, and all other festive trimmings seemed dull and tasteless amidst the despair.
When Republicans lose an election, they resort to baseless claims of voter fraud, while Democrats engage in prolonged periods of self-flagellation, only for ordinary Americans to see through their rhetoric and push back effectively against Trump's authoritarian methods. For months, the media was captivated by Trump's theatrics, but now that spell has broken, and Democrats are breaking free from their funk.
The once-promising "Trump train" has been revealed to be a rickety machine, losing steam with each passing week. The latest polls reflect this decline in popularity, with 76% disapproving of Trump's handling of the economy, compared to just 24% who approve. His approval rating has sunk below 40%, a stark contrast to the false narratives presented by his administration.
Across various policy areas, Americans are rejecting Trump's record on the economy, immigration, inflation, and trade. While many Republicans love his harsh stance on ICE raids in Democratic cities, large majorities of Democrats and Independents disapprove. The public is also aware that Trump is using law enforcement to target political enemies – a fact not lost on those who have been directly affected.
The recent "No Kings" protests, which drew five million people nationwide, are indicative of the widespread discontent with Trump's authoritarian methods. Protests demonstrated that millions see him as a clear threat to American democracy and our system of government. Similarly, the burgeoning consumer protest movement, including "Tesla Takedowns," has shown consumers' clout in persuading corporations to defy administration efforts to silence free speech.
Historian Heather Cox Richardson notes that successful consumer movements have teeth and work, citing examples from women's suffrage movements before they were allowed to vote. The upcoming "We Ain't Buyin' It!" campaign, scheduled for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, is a prime example of this momentum.
Perhaps most heartening is the shift in the Democratic establishment, with young people and Latinos who had voted for Trump in 2024 swinging back to Democrats in droves. This marks a significant relief – the notion that so many allies would support Trump after all we knew about him has been dispelled.
In the end, it's the American people inspiring their own party leaders to follow suit. As it should be in a democracy, the people are taking charge and saving America from the creeping authoritarianism that threatens our very way of life.
Despite being impeached twice, facing an insurrection, convicted of numerous felonies, found liable for sexual abuse, and indicted multiple times, including for conspiring to overturn election results in Georgia, Trump somehow managed to win re-election. The turkey, pumpkin pie, and all other festive trimmings seemed dull and tasteless amidst the despair.
When Republicans lose an election, they resort to baseless claims of voter fraud, while Democrats engage in prolonged periods of self-flagellation, only for ordinary Americans to see through their rhetoric and push back effectively against Trump's authoritarian methods. For months, the media was captivated by Trump's theatrics, but now that spell has broken, and Democrats are breaking free from their funk.
The once-promising "Trump train" has been revealed to be a rickety machine, losing steam with each passing week. The latest polls reflect this decline in popularity, with 76% disapproving of Trump's handling of the economy, compared to just 24% who approve. His approval rating has sunk below 40%, a stark contrast to the false narratives presented by his administration.
Across various policy areas, Americans are rejecting Trump's record on the economy, immigration, inflation, and trade. While many Republicans love his harsh stance on ICE raids in Democratic cities, large majorities of Democrats and Independents disapprove. The public is also aware that Trump is using law enforcement to target political enemies – a fact not lost on those who have been directly affected.
The recent "No Kings" protests, which drew five million people nationwide, are indicative of the widespread discontent with Trump's authoritarian methods. Protests demonstrated that millions see him as a clear threat to American democracy and our system of government. Similarly, the burgeoning consumer protest movement, including "Tesla Takedowns," has shown consumers' clout in persuading corporations to defy administration efforts to silence free speech.
Historian Heather Cox Richardson notes that successful consumer movements have teeth and work, citing examples from women's suffrage movements before they were allowed to vote. The upcoming "We Ain't Buyin' It!" campaign, scheduled for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, is a prime example of this momentum.
Perhaps most heartening is the shift in the Democratic establishment, with young people and Latinos who had voted for Trump in 2024 swinging back to Democrats in droves. This marks a significant relief – the notion that so many allies would support Trump after all we knew about him has been dispelled.
In the end, it's the American people inspiring their own party leaders to follow suit. As it should be in a democracy, the people are taking charge and saving America from the creeping authoritarianism that threatens our very way of life.