How to Defeat Trump — 7 Concrete Steps Anyone Can Take
And why there is reason for hope.
The Trump administration has unleashed an unprecedented assault on civil liberties and the rule of law, plunging the United States into crisis. Free speech and voting rights for millions are under attack, Medicaid and social safety nets hang in the balance, the U.S. economy is being driven towards a recession, national health data is suppressed, crucial institutions are being spied out and dismantled. Trump is inciting hatred against minorities, waging war on science, and actively harming climate and environment. While his administration plans tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, it makes life harder for everyday Americans and abandons aid to the world’s poorest.
Trump has also betrayed long-term allies and threatens to take sovereign territories by force — which would not only be a crime, but also strategically disastrous for the United States. Any attack on an allied nation would disrupt global trade, trigger catastrophic economic fallout, force partners to seek new ties, and cripple U.S. influence and credibility worldwide, with no quick path to recovery.
Trump’s policy moves are among the most dangerous events in modern history, posing a direct threat not only to all Americans but to all life on Earth. Opposing this madness isn’t just an option — it’s a necessity. In this article, I explain why there is reason for hope and outline concrete steps that anyone can take to join and strengthen the growing resistance.
There is hope!
Trump and his cronies are far weaker than they want us to believe. The truth is, only 31% of eligible U.S. voters cast their ballot for Trump. The majority of Americans do NOT back Trump’s insane agenda. And many of those who did vote for Trump have since expressed severe regret, eroding Trump’s popular support even further.
As Erich Reich points out: “Trump won the popular vote by only 1.5 points. By any historical measure, this was a squeaker. In the House, the Republicans’ lead is the smallest in almost a century. In the Senate, Republicans lost half of 2024’s competitive races, including in four states Trump won.”
This is not an unstoppable force — it’s a fragile grip on power sustained by fear and manipulation. Nothing would serve Trump more than for us to just give up and hand him total control. But we won’t. When we rise together, oppression and authoritarianism won't stand a chance!
TAKE ACTION
1) Stay focused
If the endless stream of shocking headlines feels overwhelming, that’s no accident. Trump purposely uses distraction and chaos to exhaust people and prevent public resistance. Don’t fall for it. Be mindful of where you focus your attention. Don’t waste your time obsessing over every single of Trump’s unhinged statements. Instead of doomscrolling, seek focused, action-oriented information, and channel your energy into meaningful activism — starting with the steps below.
To learn more about Trump’s distraction strategy, and what we can do to stop feeding it, read this.
2) Take to the streets
Marching together is one of the first steps in building momentum and showing collective power. Find a protest near you via 50501 and show up! If you need help attending a protest, ask someone here, here, or here. Your presence matters — and gives others confidence!
3) Volunteer & organize
Collective action is the key to resistance — and everyone has skills they can contribute. If possible, join an organization already fighting for democracy, human rights, and social justice. If you don’t find one that fits in your area, you can also start your own activism group. Gather ideas, bring people together, and help organize them towards action.
4) Boycott companies enabling Trump
Stop funding the businesses and billionaires backing Trump’s agenda. This obviously starts with Elon Musk’s X and Tesla, but goes far beyond that. Websites like Goods Unite Us and Bankrupt Trump provide some guidance. To be on the safe side, you can also join the anti-Trump ‘Buy Canadian’ and ‘Buy European’ movements.
5) Join the general strike
Register to participate in the upcoming General Strike. Mass economic disruption is one of the strongest tools against authoritarianism. A small fraction of society actively resisting can be enough to force significant change.
6) Fight disinformation
The Trump administration thrives on lies. The key to countering this is truth — share reliable sources, call out falsehoods, and educate others. Here is a printable guide on how to deal with disinformation. If you have creative ideas for spreading the truth, use them. Most importantly, focus on real conversations — don’t try to “own” or humiliate others. Instead, aim to genuinely inform and persuade in a way that fosters understanding and bridges divides, rather than deepening them.
7) Explore additional ideas
If you need more inspiration, check out these great lists:
This fight is long from over — but it’s a fight we can, and will, win. Get involved, take action, and refuse to back down.
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