From The New Yorker · Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor · · 1m 30s
Southern Democrats Reject Trump's White Victimhood Claims
Southern Democrats defeat Trump's white victimhood narrative in midterms.
In brief
Southern Democrats defeat Trump's white victimhood narrative in midterms. Southern Democrats won key races despite Trump's racist attacks, showing class politics can overcome white supremacy appeals. Originally reported by The New Yorker.
Trump's White Victimhood Claim
Trump claims white people are victims of racism under Civil Rights Act.
“very badly”
Vice President Vance's Racial Claims
Vance says white men face racial discrimination and target Democratic senator Abdul El-Sayed.
“hatred in his heart”
Angie Nixon's Senate Race
Nixon runs on Medicare for All and universal child care, faces racist attacks from Trump.
“a ghetto black communist”
Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins
Bottoms becomes first black woman governor of any state after defeating Rick Jackson.
“destroyed atlanta with her crime and filth”
Jamie Davis's Senate Race
Davis runs on affordability, education, health care, and constitutional rights in Louisiana.
“four pillars”
Julia Letlow's N.D.A. Controversy
Letlow signed N.D.A. with Meta on data center project and failed to disclose trades.
“fifty-billion-dollar data-center project”
Davis's Close Race
Davis loses by twenty-five thousand votes after AI-generated ad campaign.
“turn any whites off”
National Democratic Support
Democratic Party consultants struggle to fund Southern candidates despite close races.
“almost impossible”
Black Voter Shift
Ninety percent of black voters support Democratic House candidates in 2026.
“ninety per cent”
Voting Rights Act Impact
Louisiana dismantles majority-black district after Supreme Court ruling.
“callais decision”
Mississippi's Close Race
Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate race by three points after last-minute ad buy.
“five-hundred-thousand-dollar ad buy”
Southern Class Politics
Democratic candidates win support across class lines in southern states.
“cost of living crisis”
The takeaway
Southern Democrats won key races despite Trump's racist attacks, showing class politics can overcome white supremacy appeals.
