Following Donald Trump’s election as the next U.S. president, our election debrief explored what this outcome means for progressives on both sides of the Atlantic. The online discussion featured insights from Leslie Herod, Member of the Colorado House of Representatives, Scott Holcomb, Member of the Georgia House of Representatives, and Metin Hakverdi, Member of the German Bundestag (Social Democratic Party), moderated by Maria Skóra.
In a nutshell, Trump’s victory is a “devastating blow” to progressives, as Leslie Herod described it. However, the debate made clear that it is imperative for progressives to understand the underlying causes that led to the Republican landslide win, identify means of how to electorally recover and protect those who are most vulnerable under a Trump administration.
Trump was not just a fluke
Scott Holcomb reflected on the Democratic Party’s campaign in his home state of Georgia. In 2020, Biden had won the state, but this time, voters had swung back to Trump. Despite the Democrats having „worked as hard as we could,“ Holcomb noted that Trump’s impactful messaging resonated with the widespread sense that the economy is not doing well. On key economic issues – the primary concern for many voters – Democrats needed a stronger message. „Inflation wasn’t just a problem in the U.S.,“ he added. This should have been explained more thoroughly to counter the Republicans‘ accusations.
Holcomb had always thought that Trump was just a fluke, but the key takeaway from the election is: He is not. “It’s something we’ll have to deal with, we’re gonna have to fight.” This time, many of the people who acted as a brake during Trump’s first term will not be there to check his power, Holcomb said. He does not think polarisation is going to get better, but rather that it will be a very challenging path forward. „Now is the time to find your strength, your motivation, and to stay committed to our shared values. If we give up, we lose.“
States like Colorado as safe havens
Leslie Herod reflected on how her home state of Colorado had shifted from red to blue in 2008 when Barack Obama won. She described this not as the result of demographic change, but as a concerted effort to help people in Colorado understand the difference Democrats have made to their lives. Progressive forces had focused on protecting individual freedoms and reproductive health, like writing the right to abortion into the state constitution and also putting the right to gay marriage on the ballot. “We have made real change.” This combination of explaining what Democrats do for people and actual change had been key in securing Colorado as a blue state.
Describing Trump’s victory as a “devastating blow” for progressives, Herod highlighted the particular impact on Black women in the U.S. “We should all be very concerned that if we are not in touch with the people we serve, then we will lose our progressive ideals and move more to the right.” Now, she argued, is the time for progressives to show who they really are. With Trump threatening deportations, she remarked, “We have a lot of work to do to ensure people’s safety.”
In the years to come, Herod expects an influx of people to Colorado and other sanctuary states. Democratic governors are coming together to discuss what needs to happen at the state level to put protections in place for the transition ahead. “We have to partner with other states to be able to protect people.” She also emphasised that Colorado is likely to become a battleground for court cases involving trans rights and non-discrimination protections, all of which are enshrined in the state constitution.
EU is prepared for Trump
The perspective from the U.S. was complemented by Metin Hakverdi, “a great promoter of the transatlantic alliance”, as moderator Maria Skóra introduced him. In light of the clear election results, Hakverdi said: “You have to face the truth, even if you don’t like it.” While this outcome was not entirely surprising, he admitted he did not expect the Republican numbers to be so strong throughout Congress.
Hakverdi explained that, in a two-party system, analysing voting patterns is highly complicated. He also pointed out that, in his view, some Democratic voters are unwilling to support a female candidate: “We have to address this outright sexism.”
Hakverdi warned that the U.S.’s international reputation could take a steep fall, making it difficult for countries like Germany to justify continued partnership with the U.S. to their constituents. He also noted that, regarding the EU, “we are much better prepared and have a range of response options.” However, he emphasised that unity within the EU remains a major concern.
A blueprint for countermeasures
Reflecting on lessons from the U.S. for Germany, Hakverdi emphasised the need to prioritise economic issues and to think more about the audience being addressed, rather than solely focusing on „our own great ideas.“ He added, “You cannot just focus on Trump being a threat to democracy; it’s not a pressing issue for people.”
Yet, speakers shared deep concerns about democracy. “Our democracy is under threat.” Leslie Herod pointed out that the U.S. had never seen such a tyrant in the White House, now with power in the courts as well. However, she stressed that people should be aware of a blueprint for what the Trump administration is about to do: Project 2025, a plan designed by the conservative Heritage Foundation to radically reshape the U.S. executive branch. Progressives should not just be aware of that; they should use it to be prepared and counter every step of it systematically.
This event was organised in cooperation with the Progressive Policy Institute (Washington, D.C.) and the SPD Regional Chapter Berlin. This text was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
