Trump’s ultimate comeuppance lies in the blueprint for a massive surge

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during an event at The Villages Charter School at The Villages, Florida, U.S., May 1, 2026.

Today I’m seeking your guidance about the message progressive Democrats should lead with in a few weeks when the midterm elections begin.

Yes, I know: It’s a big tent and Democratic candidates will tailor their messages to voters in their own states or congressional districts, who may be swayed by slightly different ones.

But rarely before in American history has the choice been so stark and so clear. The current occupant of the Oval Office is a malignant sociopath who’s gotten America into a losing war in the Middle East, turned much of our country into a police state, caused prices to soar, and pocketed billions off his office. He’s backed by a bevy of billionaires who have bet the house on AI, and congressional Republicans have been spineless zombies.

This is, or should be, the progressives’ hour. (Also, remember that the Democratic message in the midterms can influence the message in 2028.)

So what, in your view, should progressive Dems lead with? What’s the core message you’d like to hear from them in coming weeks?

I’ve canvassed people I consider savvy political advisers and observers, and grouped their responses below. Please share your own view.

1. The economy is s-----. We will make it work for you.

Unemployment is rising, prices are soaring, and wage gains have slowed. The affordability crisis is real. We’ll raise your wages and lower the prices you pay. We’ll offer Medicare for all and affordable childcare, make housing more affordable, and make the economy work for you and your family.

2. Our democracy is on life support. We will reinvigorate it.

Trump and Republicans are close to turning America into a dictatorship. They’re trampling on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and usurping the powers of Congress and the courts. We will strengthen American democracy and make this a government of, by, and for the people rather than Trump and his cronies.

3. Trump and his Republican enablers have disdained human rights in America and around the world. We will respect human rights.

We will not allow Trump’s ICE agents to cause mayhem and murder in our cities; his Homeland Security to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants; his air force to bomb defenseless fishermen; his military to abduct foreign leaders, start wars of choice that kill thousands, or enable Israel to engage in genocide. We will respect human rights.

4. Big corporations and the wealthy now run everything. We will take them on and restore integrity to American politics.

Giant corporations and a billionaire class are making out like bandits while you’re struggling. We’ll amplify workers’ voices, empower unions, bust up monopolies, regulate AI, and raise taxes on the wealthy and big corporations. We’ll restore the rule of law and turn our criminal justice system against the big corporations and white-collar hoodlums who are raiding your pockets.

Hence, today’s Office Hours question: What should be the core of the progressive Democrats’ message?

Robert Reich is a professor of public policy at Berkeley and former secretary of labor. His writings can be found at https://robertreich.substack.com/.

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