September 9, 2025
Trump returns loyalty to rural voters by throwing them away.
During the week, it was the meat against the meat. Last month, the Cracker Barrel Restaurant Restaurant committed a serious crime new logo. The titular barrel and the general uncle Gershel, the mascot of a snack founded in Tennessee, disappeared. In a closer universe, this switch would be a download in corporate translation. Instead, Christopher Rufus and Donald Trump is younger. Accused the campaign of refusing its Heartland roots for the benefit of “walking”.
Cracker Barrel’s shares immediately fell 94 million dollars. Finally, President Trump himself weighed, having taken the truth of the social urge Casual dining chain to cancel the change of the logo. Later on this day company announced What it will do. On x, one Trump employee whipped that the network executives called the White House to personally telegraph their surrender.
But it was not just another clash in the endless cultural war in America. Instead, it was a deliberate and deeply insincere distraction from the real crises facing the heart – it causes the fact that Trump’s administration’s policy is strengthened. Trump won rural voters in each of his presidential companies, and his share of voting increase Each cycle from 2016 to 2024. But he brings back this loyalty to a policy that threatens the life and livelihood of rural Americans.
Take healthcare. One big beautiful bill a trillion dollars Expected that in Medicaid is reduced reduction disproportionately impact rural areas where almost a quarter The population is an insured Medicaid, and the program covers almost half of all birth. Republicans, warning of political danger to expose their constituents literally bodily harm, attracted up to $ 50 billion in the rural health care fund. But this is, according to the forecasts, just covers 37 percent Medicaid rural communities will be lost from dollars. Travels on work and delivery, which hospitals often work with loss, have particularly vulnerable. In Kentucky in one hospital already have stopped The opening of the Central Center is waiting for cuts. That it unfolds under self -proclaimed “President of fertilization‘Only connects hypocrisy.
Meanwhile, Trump’s trade war has raised US agriculture. Faced with metal tariffs and weak harvest prices, John Dir, which recorded record earnings two years ago, now struggles sell tractors. China, the largest market for the American soybean in 2024 order Even the bush with the crop this season. Last month, the US Soy Association wrote a letter to the president, warning that his farmers are on “Financial breakdown“And the bend USAID, which last year purchased 2 billion dollars of food from US farms for distribution as aid will definitely damage Heartland.
The administration also reduces the infrastructure on which the countryside rests. With “capital” now dirty word, Trump realize Law on digital capital that supported programs providing technological access and education for remote communities. Congress -Republican dyry Financing the state media leaving from the risk 245 rural radio stations that broadcast decisive local emergencies updates and alerts. And Trump has long been thinking privatization American Post Service that can lead to cuts to the mail in the countryside.
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But the Democrats share part of the guilt for these upcoming disasters. The party seems to be everything, but refused to organize in rural settlements. According to one Last studyThey have not prevented the party chairs in the fifth part of the rural counties since 2016. And in this election year as well as in 2020 and 2022 non -alternatively The Congress race due to a democratic absenteeism.
However, these communities are far from the lost business. Really if only 3 percent Last year, rural voters moved to Kamal Harris, she might have won the presidency.
The organizers are working to change this trajectory. Challenge each raceDemocrats gaining candidates in areas with low infrastructure have pledged to invest 12 million dollars in rural mobilization. In the previous columnI covered the calls of the initiative of the rural city bridge up to a 10-ton rural new deal. Organization has since asked for DNC make 10 percent of its budget to rural and labor areas. If Dems did it last year, $ 400 million would be sent to the case.
If proper financing is in line with the correct candidates, the Democrats can be competitive in rural areas. In Nebraska, Dan Osborn works again As a Populist Independent after last year surrounded Harris Harris Harris last year. And in Iowa, a gold medal – Paralympic Josh Turk conducts agitation as “Populist’s prairies“Seeking to raise the minimum wage and create affordable housing and health.
However, no company can succeed without a reliable organization. In June, hundred Rural communities did not protest kings in each state. And last month, as a wadl, he spoke to the hack, Bernie Sanders-friend a representative of one of the countries Most of the rural powers– The excursion “Fighting the oligarchy” to the tiny blower, Wisconsin. In the city with a population of 4400, hundred He gathered for the event.
Cracks begin to appear in the Trump base. Between February to April this year, the president’s rural statements rating strike 59 percent to 40 percent. This opens the space through which the Democrats can rule wedge – if only they can offer the progressive populist decisions, the necessary cities, and in the country.
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Further,
Katrina Vanden Hievel
Editor and publisher, Nation
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