In the early stages of Trump’s second term, two incidents caught the nation’s attention for their attempted but largely misguided ‘resistance’ enthusiasm. Bishop Mariann Budde in a sermon at the Washington National Cathedral, openly addressed Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, calling on them to show compassion for immigrants and L.G.B.T.Q children. Unfortunately, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Representative Brad Sherman attempted to stand up for FEMA, a federal agency targeted by Trump, during a televised discussion. He argued that the response to massive wildfires in Los Angeles required a significant deployment of resources, something that FEMA has the capability for. Both Budde and Sherman were attempting to illuminate the path for a more humane democracy; however, it seemed their efforts were futile against the prevailing autocratic winds.
Coming to 2025, it is vastly misguided to assume Trump would suddenly develop empathy. Following Budde’s sermon, the President dismissed her on Truth Social as ‘insincere and not smart,’ disparaging her professional capabilities. On the other hand, Sherman was instantly chastised. Trump’s retort was that he should focus more on obtaining a permit than supporting FEMA. This dismissive response seemed typical of the President’s concerning lack of empathy.
Trump’s return to the White House was met with despair. The public appeals made by Budde and Sherman seemed dwarfed and insignificant compared to the overwhelming narrative. Compared to his first Presidency marked by considerable rebellion, his second term was characterized by an uncomfortable quiet. Where were the days of protest that followed Trump’s inauguration back in 2017, when a sea of half a million marched through the streets of Washington chanting pro-democracy slogans? The contrast with 2025 could not be more stark.
The energetic and defiant spirit that once echoed globally was absent during the 2025 inauguration. The day was marked by an eerie coldness that forced the inauguration indoors. Notably, the outgoing President, Joe Biden, seemed to send a contrasting signal. Despite Biden’s persistent prior warnings about Trump, he extended a warm welcome to him on the White House steps. This was the very same person Biden had warned the public about for years.
Back in 2016, Trump’s victory against Hillary Clinton was brushed off as a fluke. There were accusations of foreign interference and leaked emails that drowned the news. Conspiracy theories abounded, aiding in shaping a distorted reality in favor of Trump.
With a sense of urgency, instilling resistance against the Trump administration became a crucial task. Widespread protests against the Muslim ban generated public momentum and a flurry of legal battles ensued. The public seemed galvanized, ready to challenge any form of blatant injustice. A sense of unrest and civic duty was present, upholding the belief that the power of the public could defy any kind of tyranny.
Despite the promising victories against Trump in the 2020 elections, Biden’s defeat appeared as a referendum against success. Trump’s divisive rhetoric appeared to have gathered support rather than repelled it. Trump continued to paint the world as a chaotic disaster, promising to be the only feasible solution. This apocalyptic approach seemed to find a growing audience.
The dynamics of information dissemination have changed over the years, getting more social, fast-paced, and bite-sized. However, the Democratic Party seems to have missed this shift, failing to comprehend that social media isn’t just a platform for moralistic preachings anymore. Today, it is about capturing attention quickly and profoundly. As the attention-economy grows, Trump seems to be skillfully navigating it, something Democrats need to match up to.
One cannot deny the need for a reevaluation. It is not just about engaging with these platforms more effectively; rather, it’s about the core messaging and choosing the right messengers. Resistance in its current form is intrinsically retractive, existing mainly to oppose existing structures. It does not offer or encourage new constructs or growth. The Democrats need to provide something more substantial in order to gain traction.
Looking back at the apparent rise of Trump in spite of his divisive rhetoric, it is clear that the Democrats missed opportunities, failing to capitalize on an electorate searching for reconnecting with their roots. The party seems to ignore the opportunity of reforming platform strategies to better echo the concerns of their constituents.
Many see the Democrats’ failure to firm up their narrative as a sign of their lack of political savvy. In the arena of public sentiment, it’s not just about saying the right things, it’s also about saying them in the right way. The Democrats, to their peril, continue to undervalue this.
Twitter-length bursts of communication are the most prevalent form of information consumption today. Even so, Democratic leaders appear oblivious to the changing dynamics. The fact that Trump has mastered the art of attention-grabbing tweets should set off alarms for anyone serious about grasping the public’s attention.
Resistance cannot continue to be vague or reactive. If Democrats aim to regain the public’s trust, they need to emphasize building rather than pushing against existing structures. The need of the hour is not just to stand apart from Trump but to lay down their own vision.
Overall, the Democrats need to become proactive rather than reactive in their strategies. They need to build robust and attractive alternatives to Trump’s fear-inducing narrative. It is not enough to simply counter the narratives pushed by Trump; it is necessary to build ones that resonate with the citizens and their concerns.
It’s high time to shift from a culture of resistance to a culture of construction. Democrats should not merely position themselves against Trump but create their own distinct platform that caters to the real worries and aspirations of the common people.
In conclusion, Trump ascended in the political arena despite concerted attempts of resistance by the Democrats, indicating a significant failure on their part to successfully communicate with the public. The lessons from this era should not be lost. Democrats need a renewed strategy, not merely reacting to Trump’s narrative but carving out their own compelling vision for the nation.