With the U.S. presidential election just days away, the future of American democracy has never felt more precarious. The prevalence of fake news, rampant conspiracy theories, and outright lies—particularly from major outlets like Fox News—has made the dumbing down of America alarmingly evident and dangerously impactful. This issue is compounded by the overwhelming influx of misinformation on social media platforms, much of it propagated by authoritarian regimes in countries like Russia, North Korea, and China, all aiming to sow discord and division among Americans. So why are we failing to recognize this unfolding crisis?
As polling shows the election is locked in a dead heat, and many demographic groups are increasingly gravitating toward the far right. Let’s have a look at these different voting demographics and briefly explore why they are leaning to the far right, and why they are drawn to re-electing the “Greatest Con Man of All Time,” Donald Trump.
The Non-College White Male Vote
The non-college white male vote appears to be severely skewed towards Trump. Many non-college-educated white men support Trump because they feel left behind economically, distrust political elites, and worry about immigration’s impact on jobs and communities—concerns Trump often speaks directly to in his repeated rhetoric and inflames hatred and anger to get this message across.
First of all, hate and anger is an addiction. So using hate, anger, and fear are powerful motivators in political messaging, and overshadows fact-based discourse. Secondly, some people are just plain stupid. By underpaying school teachers for decades, the public school system has failed. Just 80 years after the end of World War Two, most Americans don’t even have a basic understanding of what Democracy is, World History, or the United State’s role in the World following the War.
A well-rounded civic education is critically important to shape a well-informed electorate, yet studies show many Americans lack basic knowledge about history and government. This has led to a misunderstanding of democratic ideals or a sense that “strong” leadership, even if undemocratic, would be more effective than a system with checks and balances that slows decision-making.
Many young Americans today may struggle with taking personal responsibility, and in a society that sometimes emphasizes blame over accountability, it’s easy to shift frustrations onto others—often immigrants—rather than addressing root causes. This generation also tends to seek escapism through binge-watching laugh track sitcoms (seriously, why are we still being “told” when to laugh?), “adult” cartoons, and getting their addictive dopamine rush from other polarizing media content that continually fuels their anger, hatred and frustrations.
But also, let’s just be serious. The reasons many non-college WHITE males, and many white men, in general, are not going to vote for Harris, are simply because she is a woman, she is Indian, and she is Black. So some non-college-educated white men will not support Harris due to ingrained biases related to gender and race, which can impact their views unconsciously. These biases, combined with a preference for traditional candidates, can lead them to favor Trump, even if that means overlooking democratic principles to align with familiar, comfortable choices.
The Right-Wing MisInformed Anti-Democratic Vote
There are growing concerns that over 10,000 North Koreans may soon be fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, threatening a sovereign democratic nation. Putin has made it clear that his ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, targeting countries like Moldova, Poland, Lithuania, and all the Baltic States. Trump has expressed a desire to ally with Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, showing admiration for authoritarian regimes. If Trump wins, the U.S. could become complicit in these aggressive actions, especially with his anti-NATO stance. This scenario raises the alarming possibility that the U.S. military might find itself in direct conflict with Russia and North Korea under Trump’s leadership.
Unfortunately, many young Americans may be unaware of these implications, as this critical information is often overlooked or downplayed by Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and right-leaning media outlets like Fox News.
The African Americans Vote
There is a concern that a significant portion of the Black vote may lean toward Trump due to the false belief that he personally sent stimulus payments during the pandemic. In reality, the stimulus package was developed and approved by a Democratic Congress, but Trump insisted that his name be printed on the checks, leading some to mistakenly credit him for the financial aid. This highlights how he has effectively manipulated perceptions to create a favorable narrative.
Many African Americans are questioning what they have gained from years of supporting Democratic candidates. In contrast, Vice President Harris has proposed substantial initiatives, including building 3 million new housing units, providing first-time homebuyers with up to $25,000 for down payments, lowering childcare costs for low-income families, and offering a child tax credit of up to $6,000 for new parents, along with additional support for families with children. Given these proposals, it’s worth considering what the Black community might face if a divisive figure like Trump—known for his hatred and vengefulness—were to be re-elected.
The Hispanic American Vote
The Hispanic vote appears to be leaning toward re-electing Trump, albeit misguidedly. Despite Trump’s pledge to mass deport immigrants from the U.S., many Hispanic Americans hold onto the belief that “he won’t deport me,” underestimating the implications of such policies.
In her book, Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America, journalist Paolo Ramos highlights how some Hispanic individuals identify more closely with the white race, leading them to mistakenly think they are insulated from the consequences of Trump’s rhetoric and policies. This phenomenon can be likened to the tragic choices faced by some Jewish individuals during World War II who, in desperate attempts to survive in concentration camps, collaborated with the Nazis, believing it would protect them.
The Cuban American Vote
In recent years, there have been noticeable shifts in political support among Cuban Americans, with younger generations increasingly leaning Democratic compared to their elders. Traditionally, this demographic has favored the Republican Party due to strong anti-communist sentiments and opposition to policies perceived as socialist, particularly regarding Cuba. Many Cuban Americans fear that if Harris wins, the U.S. will become a socialist country, despite a lack of understanding about what socialism truly entails.
Socialism involves the government taking control of all aspects of a country’s economy, which is not what Harris is advocating for. Her proposals, such as expanding access to affordable healthcare through initiatives like ObamaCare, addressing price gouging by corporations, raising the minimum wage, and banning hidden fees and surprise charges imposed by banks, do not equate to socialism. Instead, they aim to protect consumers and ensure fair economic practices, emphasizing support for working families rather than undermining capitalism.
The Muslim American Vote
While it is unacceptable to allow the killing of innocent people in Gaza, which has now claimed tens of thousands of lives, it’s important to acknowledge that many Muslims in the U.S. are increasingly critical of the Biden/Harris administration and some even support Trump. The Biden/Harris administration has actively sought to negotiate ceasefires and promote a two-state solution. In her acceptance speech at the Democratic convention, Harris emphasized her commitment to ensuring Israel’s security while also advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.
In contrast, Trump has offered no substantial plan for peace. His only public comments on the situation have been to encourage Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to “finish the job,” a statement that leaves little room for interpretation about his stance. This lack of a diplomatic approach has left many Muslim Americans feeling disillusioned with Biden/Harris while finding Trump’s rhetoric, albeit problematic, somewhat appealing.
What This All Means
Donald Trump is a con man—a fraud who has consistently operated as one of the greatest snake oil salesmen in U.S. history. Every business venture he has undertaken has failed, culminating in six bankruptcies and numerous lawsuits against the Trump Organization for fraud. If given the chance, he would dismantle America just as he has wrecked everything else he has touched. It’s time for American citizens to wake up, turn off Fox News, and pay attention to the broader narrative the world is presenting us before it’s too late.
Moreover, Trump attempted to cling to power by undermining the very foundations of American democracy—twice. First, he incited a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to halt the certification of Joe Biden’s election. He watched in glee as over 140 police officers were assaulted and the Capitol was vandalized. When that failed, he conspired with disgraced former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other unpatriotic lawyers to present fake electors to then-Vice President Mike Pence, aiming to subvert the will of the American people who overwhelmingly chose Biden. This is not just disgraceful; it’s a direct assault on democracy itself.
Voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. presidential election is an affront to the principles of what it means to be American. A vote for Trump is truly un-American and un-patriotic.
So How Can Women Save the Country?
In the wake of the 2023 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, women across many U.S. states have lost their freedom to make critical healthcare decisions. This hand-picked Donald Trump Supreme Court opened the floodgates for state-level abortion restrictions, creating disparities in access to reproductive healthcare and endangering the safety and welfare of women nationwide.
This decision is not just horrendous; it has far-reaching implications that could last for years if Trump is re-elected. Women do not want to be dictated by old, misogynistic white men about what they can or cannot do with their bodies. Most women will not stand for being told what to do by Trump or JD Vance—two men who harbor disdain for women and want to scrutinize your medical records while keeping theirs private. Trump’s vulgar and sexist language towards women is unacceptable, and Vance’s views on women’s roles in society are utterly repugnant.
Vice President Harris has made it clear that she will work tirelessly to restore the rights protected by Roe v. Wade, prioritizing abortion rights and advocating for legislation that safeguards reproductive freedoms nationwide. “When Congress passes a law to restore reproductive freedoms, as president of the United States, I will sign it into law,” she affirmed at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia.
Beyond defending reproductive rights, Kamala Harris has pledged to continue the Biden administration’s efforts to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for Medicare patients, work with states to cancel medical debt for millions, reduce healthcare premiums by approximately $800 a year, expand Medicare to include long-term at-home care services, and propose a child tax credit expansion of up to $6,000 during the first year of a newborn’s life. She also aims to reinstate the Biden administration’s 2021 American Rescue Plan tax credit, which provided families with $3,600 for children under the age of 5 and $3,000 for older children.
So, yes, women of America, you are our only hope in saving our freedoms and democracy both at home and abroad. In this critical moment, the country needs you. When democracy falters in the United States, it falters everywhere. A vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is a vote for freedom. In contrast, a vote for Donald Trump and J.D. Vance is an anti-American vote for suppression and misery from two individuals who harbor hatred and disrespect for you.
