How Republicans 'ceded' a top MAGA talking point to Democrats

U.S. President Donald Trump with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

During the 2024 presidential race, "Fight!" became a prominent GOP slogan. Donald Trump, after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, famously raised his fist and led supporters in a chant of "Fight! Fight! Fight!" But 17 and one-half months in Trump's second presidency, according to Newsweek's Alex J. Rouhandeh, it is Democrats who are embracing the word "fight" in a big way.

"Since Trump took office," Rouhandeh reports in Newsweek, "at least 43 Democratic-aligned political action committees (PACs) have been registered under names that include a variation of the word 'fight' in them, according to FEC (Federal Election Commission) filings. What's ironic is that Donald Trump tried to claim the mantle of a fighter for Republicans following the attempt against his life in Butler, Pennsylvania. Raising his fist and chanting the word 'fight,' Trump inspired the likes of the Fight Like Hell PAC and the Fight! Fight! Fight! PAC. However, now in control of Washington, Republicans have ceded claim of the word to Democrats."

Rouhandeh cites a variety of examples of Democrats, from progressives to centrists, making "fight" a big part of their messaging.

"It doesn't matter if it's Bernie Sanders or Doug Jones, the former Alabama senator; Democrats are embracing the word 'fight' as they each look to cement their status as a 'fighter' ahead of the 2026 midterms. The word has been repeated at rallies, in townhalls, and across fundraising e-mails. A group of Senate progressives even call themselves the 'fight club.' This is all taking place as the left looks to make clear to voters it's serious about taking on MAGA and Donald Trump."

The Newsweek reporter continues, "In his recent victory speech defeating incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in New York's 10th (Congressional) District, Brad Lander put it plainly: 'When I launched this race, I said it wasn't about progressives versus moderates — it's fighters versus folders'…. 'California needs a fighter with a record of results,' presumptive California Gov. Xavier Becerra said in the April primary debate. 'I took on Trump and won'…. In just about every Democratic primary race this Newsweek reporter has covered this year, from Maine to New York to Illinois to California, winning candidates have invoked the word 'fight' in their rallies, townhalls, and interviews."

According to Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir, "Fight!" has replaced "Resist!" as the Democratic battle cry.

Shakir told Newsweek, "This reminds me of the use of 'resist' in Trump's first term. It's meant to associate with the anti-Trump emotions of a majority of the public."

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