“Progressives Are Angling to Call Trump’s Populist Bluff”: Democrats’ Strategy for Trump’s Second Term

As Democrats grapple with the reality of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, some are embracing a new strategy: challenging Trump to deliver on his populist promises. According to Politico, progressive lawmakers plan to take Trump’s working-class rhetoric at face value, a move they hope will either yield tangible results or expose his campaign promises as empty.

The strategy involves pressing Trump to support policies that align with his populist rhetoric, such as protecting workers from corporate exploitation. “If he succeeds, they can take some credit for bringing him to the table. If he doesn’t, they can bash him for it,” the Politico report explains.

MSNBC political analyst Zeeshan Aleem described the approach as an effort to “call Trump’s bluff.” He wrote, “For the most part, calling Trump’s populist bluff could help expose the fraudulence of his campaign promises.” Aleem elaborated on the potential benefits of the strategy, arguing that it positions progressives to highlight the shortcomings of right-wing populism.

“Deciding how to walk the line between resistance and effective governance is always a complicated endeavor — all the more so when the party in power threatens to try to unravel democracy. But as a starting strategy, it’s a smart approach that could position progressives to expose the false promises of right-wing populism as a salve for the working class,” Aleem wrote.

He also pointed out the opportunity for Democrats to shape the narrative around economic policies. “Republicans will be calling the shots, with control of the White House and Congress, but Democrats need to be leading demands for policies that protect working people from corporate exploitation,” Aleem explained.

The approach, he argued, could be a “win-win” for progressives. If Trump and Republicans deliver on worker-focused policies, Democrats can claim credit for influencing the agenda. Conversely, if they fail, Democrats can spotlight the gap between Trump’s rhetoric and his actions.

“In the event that Trump and the Republicans do try to pass policies that protect working people from corporate exploitation, Democrats must be situated to take credit for leading the agenda and be ready to credit Republicans for taking a break from the policy agenda of billionaires and bigots,” Aleem concluded. By aligning with Trump’s populist claims or exposing their inconsistencies, progressives aim to position themselves as champions of the working class while holding Trump accountable for his promises.