Following Trump's latest electoral victory, the once-vibrant protest movement known as "The Resistance" shows signs of a significant decline in activity and public engagement according to The Daily Caller.
The Resistance, a forceful opposition that sprang to life after Donald Trump's first presidential win in 2016, appears to be losing its fervor. In the wake of Trump's surprising victory six years ago, despite losing the popular vote, activists and ordinary citizens alike took to the streets.
They championed a wide array of flamboyant protests ranging from the burning of flags to the disruption of traffic and even the Pink Vagina Hat Parade, symbolizing their dire opposition to Trump's policies.
Ben & Jerry’s even introduced a Resistance-themed ice cream flavor, capitalizing on the widespread discontent.
The initial backlash had a highly visible and vocal presence, with media and public figures joining the chorus of dissent against Trump’s administration. This activism seemed to resonate throughout the country as people from various demographics participated in making their displeasure known.
However, following Trump's re-election, which not only saw him win the popular vote but also sweep all seven battleground swing states—a feat not achieved by a Republican since George W. Bush in 2004—the response has been decidedly muted. This broader electoral success has seemingly contributed to dampening the spirit of the Resistance.
Media figures have even shown a softer stance towards Trump. For instance, MSNBC's "Morning Joe" hosts recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, marking their first personal encounter with him in years.
This shift toward a less confrontational approach can also be seen across the landscape of left-leaning media outlets, which have started experiencing significant losses in subscribers and viewers following the election.
Left-wing media personality David Pakman lamented a substantial drop in his online following, citing thousands of YouTube subscribers and record numbers of paid membership cancellations.
Recent demonstrations, such as the Protect Our Futures march, have also reflected this trend of declining participation.
One attendee voiced their confusion and disappointment by simply asking, "Where is everybody?" This reduced scale and impact of public demonstrations signify a shift in the overall mood of the Resistance movement.
Despite the quieter public protests, resistance continues internally within the U.S. government. Reports suggest that officials from departments like the Pentagon and Health and Human Services are quietly aligning strategies to counteract or mitigate the president’s directives they disagree with. This indicates a form of persistent yet less visible opposition against the administration’s policies.
On social media, the enthusiasm for discussing political issues has dwindled dramatically. Hugo Walker, expressing his frustration, noted that his posts about political matters now barely receive any attention, a stark contrast to the flurry of comments and interactions seen in previous years.
“I want to care more, I read a bunch of stuff today, posted a lot of stuff, and I got crickets. Just a couple of snarky comments about recess confirmations and that was just about it,” said Walker.
The fading of The Resistance also reflects a broader disillusionment within the Democratic Party, as noted by media veteran Mark Halperin and former editor Jill Abramson.
Abramson described the current Democratic reaction as one of mourning, struck by the realization of the country's shift rightward. “They’re kind of in mourning over that,” stated Abramson, highlighting the emotional impact felt by many on the left.