The Dems’ Rhetorical Trap: Limiting The Fallout from 2024 Campaign Rhetoric That Could Hurt Them in 2028
By Michael Kelman Portney
The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election marked a pivotal moment in American politics, with Donald Trump securing a second term in office. This outcome has placed the Democratic Party in a precarious position, as their campaign rhetoric (rightly) centered on the existential threat Trump posed to democratic norms and fair elections. Now, with Trump back in power, Democrats face the challenge of recalibrating their message to avoid inadvertently empowering Republican efforts to manipulate future elections. This article explores the implications of the 2024 election outcome for Democrats and outlines strategies to prevent GOP power plays from exploiting election fears.
The Rhetoric of Doom Leading Up to 2024
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, the Democratic Party was vocal about the dangers of a second Trump term. Prominent figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and other key party leaders warned that Trump’s re-election would dismantle democratic institutions, subvert fair elections, and institutionalize authoritarian rule. This apocalyptic rhetoric, while grounded in legitimate concerns, set a high bar for legitimacy and created a double-edged sword. By framing Trump’s potential victory as the end of democracy, Democrats risked setting a precedent that could be exploited by Republicans to justify further election manipulation.
The problem with such apocalyptic rhetoric is that it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. By continuously asserting that Trump’s win would destroy democracy, Democrats inadvertently reinforced the perception that the electoral system was already broken. This narrative provided Republican power players with an opportunity to argue that any Democratic claims of election illegitimacy were merely symptoms of a flawed system that needed to be “fixed” on their terms.
How the GOP Will Use Democratic Talking Points to Undermine Elections
The real danger now lies in how Republicans, led by Trump and his allies, will leverage the Democratic narrative about broken elections to justify actions that make future elections less free and fair. Instead of advocating for reform, the GOP is likely to claim that the very concerns Democrats raised about election integrity are proof that the system is already rigged. This provides them with cover to further rig the system in their favor.
By amplifying the rhetoric Democrats used to warn about election subversion, Republicans can argue that any attempt to question the integrity of the system is simply confirmation of its inherent flaws. This enables the GOP to push through election laws that make it harder for marginalized groups to vote, gerrymander districts, and influence the electoral process to their advantage. The GOP’s game plan is clear: use the narrative of an illegitimate system as a pretext for furthering their hold on power.
Republican lawmakers have already implemented voter ID laws, restricted absentee ballots, and passed gerrymandering legislation to tilt the playing field. With Trump back in power, these efforts are likely to intensify. By exploiting Democratic warnings, Republicans can claim they are “restoring faith” in the election process by instituting their own measures to “secure” it, even as these measures erode fairness.
The risk here is that by continuing to cry foul over a Trump victory, Democrats are inadvertently creating the conditions for the very election manipulation they fear. As the public begins to buy into the idea that the system is already broken, they are more likely to accept the GOP’s attempts to rig the next cycle. Republicans will position themselves as the defenders of “election integrity,” even as they work to undermine it, all while framing Democrats as conspiracists who are sore losers.
How Democrats Can Reframe the Message to Avoid Enabling GOP Power Grabs
To avoid falling into the trap set by the GOP, Democrats need to be extremely careful with their messaging. The danger is that by continuing to push the line that Trump’s victory is an existential threat to democracy, they could inadvertently reinforce the perception that elections are broken. Here’s how Democrats can pivot and prevent a self-fulfilling prophecy:
Reframe the Message from “End of Democracy” to “Ongoing Fight”: Instead of declaring that Trump’s victory means the end of democracy, Democrats should position it as a signal that the fight to protect democracy is far from over. Trump’s win should be framed as a warning, not a death knell. This reframing allows Democrats to continue to highlight the very real threats posed by Trump’s authoritarianism, while also emphasizing the need for vigilance and reform.
Focus on Electoral Reform, Not Fear: Rather than focusing on the doom of a broken system, Democrats should emphasize that fair elections can still be preserved, but only through action. They should call for specific reforms to protect voting rights, ensure election security, and combat voter suppression—without implying that the system is beyond repair. This keeps the focus on proactive solutions, rather than reinforcing a narrative of despair that Republicans will exploit.
Acknowledge Trump’s Threat Without Undermining the System: Democrats must acknowledge the very real threat Trump poses to democratic institutions, but without implying that the entire electoral process is already broken. They should be cautious not to give the GOP ammunition by declaring the system is beyond saving. Instead, the focus should be on accountability, checks and balances, and institutional resilience. By doing this, they can provide a more hopeful narrative that counters the GOP’s destructive tactics.
Pivot to Protecting 2028 Elections, Not Only Criticizing 2024: As they look toward the 2028 election cycle, Democratic candidates need to assure voters that elections can still be fair and legitimate—if the system is protected. Rather than continuing to sound the alarm about Trump’s victory in 2024, Democrats should pivot to a vision of reform that includes measures to safeguard voting rights, protect against election fraud, and prevent future abuses of power by the GOP.
Navigating the 2028 Election Cycle Amid GOP Attacks
The 2028 election cycle will be critical in determining whether the United States can continue to hold fair elections. Democrats must carefully navigate this period by focusing on solutions rather than just criticism, and by making sure their rhetoric does not unintentionally play into the hands of the GOP.
Rebuild Trust in the System: By emphasizing electoral reforms and transparency, Democrats can help rebuild public trust in the system. This will counter the GOP narrative that elections are inherently flawed and need “fixing” by their standards.
Defend Against GOP Power Grabs: As Republicans continue their attempts to undermine elections through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and other tactics, Democrats must remain vigilant and focused on defending the integrity of the system. They need to ensure that their message is one of defense, not resignation.
Empower Voters, Not Despair: The Democrats’ message must center on empowerment—getting voters involved, ensuring that their voices are heard, and building a broader coalition that transcends partisan divides. If they fall into the trap of “the system is broken, it’s over,” they risk losing the very moral authority needed to challenge GOP power grabs.
Conclusion:
Trump’s victory in 2024 has set the stage for an increasingly contentious political environment. If Democrats continue to push the narrative that Trump’s win marks the end of democracy, they risk empowering the GOP’s efforts to further rig the system. Republicans will exploit these talking points to justify their own efforts to undermine elections, making it harder to ensure fairness in the future. Democrats must recalibrate their rhetoric, focusing on protecting democratic institutions and pushing for electoral reform without feeding into the narrative of a broken system. By doing so, they can ensure that future elections are free, fair, and legitimate—without falling into the trap of reinforcing GOP power grabs.
