Eight years ago, the streets were filled with protesters when Donald Trump first ran for the White House.
Thousands of people were motivated to protest outside his rallies due to his provocative language and dehumanizing portrayals of immigrants. During the 2016 campaign, his speeches were frequently interrupted by protesters, leading to confrontations and providing a glimpse into Trump’s tendency to incite violence against those he perceives as his adversaries.
“Go ahead and give them a good knock, would you?” Trump once encouraged the crowd, urging them to take action against protestors on their own. He even went as far as promising to cover their legal expenses.
Gone are the days when this was the case.
Mass protests at Trump rallies and appearances have become a thing of the past as he embarks on his latest campaign, which some argue is even more extreme than his previous ones. Last week, when Trump returned to New York for a hearing in one of his criminal cases, only a few detractors gathered outside the courthouse. Similarly, during a recent swing through the Midwest, Trump faced minimal opposition, with just a brief interruption from a protest in Green Bay.
President Joe Biden finds himself in an unexpected situation as he confronts a persistent protest movement. Angered by the administration’s backing of Israel in its conflict with Hamas, demonstrators have taken to the streets to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. This discontent was evident during Biden’s recent rally, where his 22-minute speech was interrupted numerous times by protesters. The president also faced disruptions during a high-profile fundraiser with former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, with hundreds more demonstrating outside New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
After almost ten years since Trump’s initial campaign, organizers and participants of previous protests have noticed a shift in their tactics. Instead of solely focusing on Trump, they have redirected their efforts towards other pressing issues and mobilizing voters for the upcoming November elections. Many of them have expressed feeling a sense of “Trump fatigue” after years of continuous outrage. However, there are also those who have become agitated by Biden’s policy toward Israel, leading them to shift their attention and engage in protests against him.
Thomas Kennedy, an immigrant from Argentina who took part in over a dozen anti-Trump protests and rallies in 2016, noted that many of the individuals who would have been protesting against Trump are now directing their energy towards protesting the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Kennedy continues to view the former president as a “terrible threat.” However, for individuals like myself, who would have actively protested against Trump, it can be disheartening and demoralizing. It feels like a futile use of my time and energy.
Warning sign
Biden’s campaign faces a potential warning sign as it seeks to energize its base by portraying Trump as a threat and framing the election as a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic commitment.
According to Ammar Moussa, spokesperson for the Biden campaign, President Biden values the constitutional right to express one’s opinions and treats protestors with respect and empathy, in contrast to Donald Trump.
According to officials from the Biden campaign, it is important to note that the intensity of protests in the past has not necessarily been indicative of election outcomes. This was evident in 2016 when President Trump emerged victorious despite facing strong opposition. Similarly, President Obama also secured his re-election in 2012 despite the presence of widespread demonstrations. Furthermore, the Biden campaign highlights the success of Democratic candidates in recent elections, including the 2022 midterms.
According to organizers of previous protests against Trump, this year’s more subdued approach is a deliberate strategy to avoid giving his comments and ideas undue attention.
Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of Women’s March, a group that originated as a global protest against Trump’s inauguration in 2017, emphasized the importance of not providing a platform and fuel to strongmen. She stated, “Strongmen need an audience and they need gas and wind in their sails. The best way to combat Trump, in many ways, is to deny him a platform and the opportunity to gain momentum.”
During the 2020 campaign, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many activist groups opposing Trump chose to “stand down.” This shift in perspective led to demonstrations focusing on broader demands for racial justice in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing by the police.
According to Annette Magnus, the former executive director of Battle Born Progress, a Nevada group that played a role in organizing anti-Trump protests during the 2016 election, there has been a noticeable shift in strategy.
“People are placing a lot of emphasis on voter turnout and engaging with voters in person, as that is what truly counts,” she expressed. “I will put in every effort to prevent his re-election. However, the approach will be different this time around, considering the unique circumstances of this election year and the significant events that have transpired since then.”
Some organizers have raised safety concerns, ultimately deciding that protesting against Trump may not be worth the potential physical risks involved.
Trump protests
Protests have been a sporadic occurrence at Trump’s events throughout the year. In both Iowa and New Hampshire, where early voting takes place, a handful of environmental activists disrupted the campaigns of all the major candidates, including Trump. However, Trump’s reaction highlighted the significant shifts that had taken place.
“It’s incredible because that used to happen frequently. And I haven’t seen it occur in two-and-a-half or three years,” he commented following a disruption in Indianola. “It always brings a sense of excitement.”
The “excitement” encompassed incidents of assault and the apprehension of individuals, along with frequent confrontations between protesters, supporters, and law enforcement officers.
In March 2016, a rally that Trump had planned to hold in Chicago had to be cancelled due to the presence of rowdy protesters who had filled the arena. The following day, while in Ohio, an incident occurred where a man jumped over a barrier and made a rush towards the stage where Trump was standing. The U.S. Secret Service immediately sprang into action, forming a protective ring around the candidate.
During his tenure, Trump often responded to protesters with a mix of mockery and insults. He would often tell them to “Go home to mommy” or direct security to “Get ’em out!” This would often incite his crowds, resulting in enthusiastic chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
Organizers eventually started playing an announcement before his rallies, providing instructions for the crowd.
One version of the instruction urged people not to physically harm or touch any protesters if a protest broke out near them. Instead, they were advised to alert law enforcement by displaying rally signs and chanting President Trump’s name.
Biden finds himself in a position where he must adapt to constant disruptions, a role that differs from Trump’s approach. Unlike his predecessor, the current president aims to diffuse confrontations rather than escalate them. At a recent event in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was advocating for the administration’s health care policies, Biden called on the crowd to exhibit patience while addressing the concerns raised about Gaza.
About twelve activists, including her future husband, had confirmed their attendance for the rally at Trump’s Doral golf club. They organized themselves into three groups, deciding to take turns and create disruptions at 20-minute intervals.
The event gave a glimpse of the violence that was about to unfold. A protester was forcefully pulled to the ground by the collar of his shirt, while another one received a kick.
‘We’re exhausted’
Muñoz has shifted her focus away from Trump. Currently serving as the executive director of the Florida Student Power Network, she dedicates her time to addressing local matters. One of these pressing issues is an upcoming abortion amendment that is set to be voted on in November.
“We’re absolutely drained,” she exclaimed, venting her frustrations about the overall state of the two-party system. In her view, national politics can sometimes be perceived as a mere diversion, especially when individuals are grappling with the challenges of meeting their monthly rent payments.”
Although she expressed concerns about the possibility of another Trump administration, she expressed profound disappointment in Biden.
“We’re exhausted from constantly having to choose between the lesser of two evils,” she expressed. “This is one aspect that I believe has contributed to people feeling completely disillusioned. It’s a never-ending cycle of disappointment.”
Marta Popadiak, the director of movement politics for People’s Action, a progressive activist organization, expressed the group’s primary focus on voter turnout. However, she also mentioned that organizing protests during the GOP convention this summer has not been completely ruled out.
“We have an intense focus on implementing our persuasion program and preparing to defeat Trump in 2024.”
