As the 2024 U.S. Presidential election approaches, many analysts are focusing on traditional issues such as economic policies, foreign relations, and national security. However, another powerful force shaping the political landscape is the growing backlash against progressive left ideologies. This cultural confrontation, alongside economic and policy factors, may play a significant role in determining Donald Trump’s path to a second term.
Trump’s appeal is not based on his policies, but on the perception that he represents a challenge to the increasingly dominant voices on the progressive left. For many voters, the ‘woke’ movement — emphasising social justice causes like critical race theory, gender identity, and systemic inequality — has morphed into something increasingly intolerant, alienating and divisive. Voters have seen a growing trend of radicalism on university campuses and in public discourse, including chants of ‘Death to Israel,’ and ‘Death to America’ at Ivy League universities, which many perceive as a betrayal of core American values. This rhetoric, particularly when left unchecked by progressive leaders, fuels the perception that the left has become hostile to both patriotism and Western ideals.
A recent New York Times/Siena poll shows 45 per cent of respondents seeing Harris as ‘too liberal or progressive,’ with 6 per cent finding her not progressive enough. Over the decade, Harris and the Democrats have shifted noticeably leftward on key issues like income redistribution, reparations, policing, biological males competing in women’s sports, and expanding the role of government. Many moderate Democrats and independents feel left out in the process.
Trump’s outspoken opposition to ‘woke’ ideology resonates with voters who feel alienated by what many view as a wider agenda that undermines free speech, American exceptionalism, and notions of personal responsibility. The reaction to increasingly intolerant and moralising ideology is no longer just a fringe issue; it has become a central cultural battle for many Americans who feel that extreme progressive policies are eroding the foundations of the country. Many see in Trump a figure willing to push back against the moral posturing and virtue signalling that has become increasingly visible in elite institutions.
Moreover, the progressive left’s embrace of identity politics and intersectionality has further alienated many Americans, including women, African Americans, and immigrants who might otherwise oppose Trump. While these groups may disagree with Trump’s rhetoric, they also reject the extremes of any progressive agenda that prioritises ideological purity over practical governance. In this sense, Trump’s promise to ‘Make America Great Again’ taps into a widespread desire for a return to a culturally cohesive national pride, free from the overreach of progressive ideology.
Economic issues and foreign policy remain core critical factors in the upcoming election. And many voters still credit Trump for his handling of the economy during his first term, particularly around tax cuts and deregulation, which many believe stimulated growth. His ‘America First’ foreign policy, which focused on withdrawing forces from global conflicts and taking a tougher stance on China also appealed to voters who prioritise national security and economic independence.
But the rejection of progressive leftism is now deeply intertwined with these economic and policy issues. And those blue collar and middle class voters who feel stifled by the cultural shift over the last decade is a crucial factor that could tip the vote Trump's way in the polls. The growing cultural divide in the U.S. means that voters are not simply choosing between different policy platforms, they are reacting to a broader ideological conflict. Progressive activists, often seen leading the charge on college campuses and in protests, have, whether deliberately or not, alienated many Americans with their anti-American, anti-Israel rhetoric, and support for movements like BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions).
For many, this shift away from more traditionally American values has understandably made them feel like strangers in their own country. Trump’s unapologetically flagrant displays of nationalism and opposition to the excesses of the progressive left will, for many, seem an appealing alternative. These Americans, feeling increasingly alienated by the extremes of progressive ideology, view Trump as a leader willing to stand up to the forces they see as eroding the country’s foundations.
Ultimately, while economic and foreign policy concerns remain critical, it is the cultural rejection of radical elements of the progressive left by middle class and working class voters that may propel Trump to victory. More than any set of policy positions, this cultural backlash could be the deciding factor in the 2024 election.
Dr Dotan Rousso holds a PhD in Law and is a former criminal prosecutor in Israel. He lives in Alberta and teaches Philosophy at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).