Democrats' Strategy To Defeat Trump: Lessons From Brunei

In 2024, Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the US presidential election. Trump's victory was a surprise to many, and it has had significant implications for both domestic and foreign policy. One of the key factors in Trump's win was his improved performance with most demographics, including women and Latino voters, which helped him reclaim several key battleground states. Trump's campaign effectively capitalised on voter concerns about the economy, border security, and crime, despite his persistently low approval ratings and criminal charges. The election outcome has also impacted US relations with countries like China, Ukraine, and Brunei. Brunei, in particular, faces challenges due to Trump's exit from the TPP and his travel ban from Muslim-majority countries.

Choose a younger candidate

The 2024 election saw Donald Trump, at 78, become the oldest person elected president. However, his victory over 59-year-old Kamala Harris was not due to a lack of concern about his age. In fact, age was a significant issue for Trump's opponent, Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race in July amid concerns about his advanced age and poor performance in a debate against Trump. Biden's late exit from the race meant that his replacement, Harris, had little time to make a case to voters.

Harris, at 59, was still notably older than Trump's previous opponent, Hillary Clinton, who was 69 when she lost to the then 70-year-old Trump in 2016. This suggests that age may not have been a decisive factor in Trump's victory over Harris. However, choosing a younger candidate could have helped the Democrats appeal to a wider range of voters and may have been a more effective strategy for defeating Trump.

A younger candidate may have been able to better connect with younger voters and address issues that are important to them, such as climate change and student debt. They could also have brought new ideas and energy to the campaign, presenting a starker contrast to Trump and offering a vision for the future that could have inspired and motivated voters.

Additionally, a younger candidate may have been more resilient to the demands of the campaign trail, allowing them to campaign extensively and connect with voters on a more personal level. This could have helped them build a stronger base of support, particularly in key swing states.

By choosing an older candidate, the Democrats may have inadvertently contributed to Trump's victory by failing to present a compelling alternative who could offer a fresh perspective and appeal to a broader range of voters.

Focus on Trump's criminal charges and lies

Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election was a surprise to many, especially considering his criminal charges and divisive rhetoric. Trump's win was a result of voters' discontent with the economy, border security, and the direction of the country.

Trump's criminal charges and lies were a significant concern for many Americans, yet he was still able to gain enough support to secure the presidency. Here are some key points to consider regarding this issue:

Trump's Criminal Charges:

• Trump had four criminal indictments and a civil judgment against him for sexual abuse and defamation.
• In May 2024, he became the first former US president to be convicted of a crime, found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
• Trump's false claims of election fraud led to the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, resulting in two separate indictments.
• Despite these charges, voters looked past them, prioritizing other issues such as the economy and border security.

Trump's Divisive Rhetoric and Lies:

• Trump's campaign was marked by divisive rhetoric, including his claims of massive cheating in Philadelphia, which were baseless.
• He frequently made false statements, such as alleging a rise in crime due to illegal immigration, to stoke fear among voters.
• Trump's lies and misinformation contributed to a polarized political climate, with Democrats and Republicans playing by very different sets of rules when it came to democracy.

To defeat Trump, Democrats need to expose and highlight his criminal charges and lies. They must effectively communicate how Trump's actions and rhetoric undermine the principles of American democracy and the rule of law.

It is crucial to emphasize the consequences of Trump's behavior and how it affects the lives of Americans. For example, his support for Israel's war in Gaza caused a shift in support from Muslim, Arab, and other communities that traditionally vote Democratic.

Additionally, Trump's mass deportation campaign targeting immigrants and his divisive rhetoric on issues like immigration, race, gender, and reproductive rights further highlight his disregard for the well-being and rights of certain communities.

By focusing on Trump's criminal charges and lies, Democrats can appeal to voters' sense of justice and fairness, exposing the dangers of a leader who operates outside the bounds of democratic norms and the law.

Win back key battleground states

To win back key battleground states, the Democrats need to focus on several key strategies. Firstly, they must address the concerns of specific voter demographics, such as Arab-American and Latino voters, who have been alienated by the party's stance on issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Democrats need to actively engage with these communities, address their grievances, and develop policies that better represent their interests.

Secondly, the Democrats should select candidates who can appeal to a broader base and effectively communicate their vision to the public. In the case of Kamala Harris, her late entry into the race and her choice of running mate may have contributed to her defeat. A candidate who can unite the party and connect with a wider range of voters is more likely to win back battleground states.

Additionally, the Democrats need to strengthen their digital strategy and utilize social media platforms more effectively. In the 2024 election, Trump's campaign successfully leveraged platforms like Twitter (now X) to reach swing states and influence voters. The Democrats must invest in a robust digital strategy that can counter the Republican Party's messaging and reach a wider audience.

Furthermore, the Democrats should focus on economic issues and address the concerns of working-class voters. Trump's victory in 2024 highlighted that many Americans felt disenchanted with the state of the economy and wanted change. The Democrats need to develop and communicate policies that address economic concerns, such as high prices and job security, to win back voters in key battleground states.

Finally, the Democrats must also recognize the importance of in-person campaigning and connecting with voters on the ground. While a digital-first strategy has its advantages, the party should not underestimate the impact of face-to-face interactions and grassroots organizing. By combining an effective digital strategy with boots-on-the-ground campaigning, the Democrats can increase their chances of winning back key battleground states.

Improve social media strategy

Kamala Harris' social media strategy was dwarfed by Trump's, who utilised the platform (formerly known as Twitter) to amplify his campaign message. Harris' campaign lacked a presence on the platform, which was a missed opportunity to reach voters.

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), spent months using the platform to amplify Trump's message. He also hosted a $1-million-a-day voter sweepstakes in swing states. This was a powerful tool in Trump's arsenal, and the Democrats must recognise the importance of this platform in future elections.

A strong social media strategy is key to reaching voters, especially younger demographics. The Democrats must invest in a robust social media strategy and ensure they have a presence on all major platforms to avoid being outflanked by their opponents.

They should also consider utilising influencers and celebrities to spread their message, as well as engaging in targeted advertising to reach specific voter groups. Creating shareable content that resonates with voters and encourages engagement is essential.

The Democrats must also be prepared to counter misinformation and baseless conspiracy theories that may be spread by their opponents on social media. Fact-checking and holding opponents accountable for false statements are crucial components of this strategy.

Additionally, the Democrats should leverage the power of storytelling to connect with voters on an emotional level. Sharing personal stories and testimonials can be an effective way to engage and persuade voters.

By implementing these strategies, the Democrats can improve their social media presence and more effectively reach and persuade voters in future elections.

Avoid an undemocratic nomination process

In the 2024 US presidential election, Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee after Joe Biden dropped out of the race in late July. This was just over three months before Election Day. Biden's late exit from the race meant that there was no primary contest to replace him, and Harris became the nominee without the input of Democratic voters. This process was criticised as undemocratic.

To avoid an undemocratic nomination process in the future, the Democratic Party should ensure that there is a primary contest to choose their nominee, even if the incumbent president is running for re-election. This would allow Democratic voters to have a say in who their candidate will be.

Additionally, the party should aim to select a nominee well in advance of Election Day, to give their candidate enough time to make a case to voters. This is especially important if the incumbent president decides not to run for re-election, as this would likely result in a more competitive primary contest.

The party should also be mindful of the potential for criticism if the nomination process is seen as favouring one candidate over another. For example, in 2024, Harris was able to become the nominee without a primary contest, and this may have contributed to a perception that she was not the best choice to take on Trump.

Finally, the Democratic Party should be careful to avoid any appearance of undemocratic behaviour, as this could be seized upon by their opponents. In the 2024 election, far-right voices spread conspiracy theories about Democrats intending to cheat in the elections, and the Republican candidate baselessly claimed that there was "massive CHEATING" in Philadelphia.

Frequently asked questions