Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know How Democrats Abandoned the Working Class with More Perfect Union's John Russell
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Aug 12, 2026 
John Russell, a West Virginia reporter for More Perfect Union who covers labor, inequality, and corporate power. He discusses how Democrats shifted away from working-class voters. Short takes on talking respectfully to Trump voters, the local harms of AI data centers, worker co-ops, and rebuilding a cross-ideological coalition against corporate influence.
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1990s Policy Shift Broke Democrats’ Labor Roots
- Democrats shifted toward pro-business policies in the 1990s, weakening historic labor-first identity established under FDR and the New Deal.
- Hasan and John Russell point to NAFTA, Glass-Steagall repeal, and welfare reform as turning points that empowered corporate capital over workers.
Deregulation Fueled Inequality And Political Backlash
- Deregulation and weakened safety nets produced the 2008 financial collapse and rising inequality, eroding working-class faith in both parties.
- John Russell cites studies showing economic elites drive policy while average citizens have little influence, explaining populist backlash.
AI Data Centers Create Bipartisan Working Class Coalition
- Opposition to AI data centers unites unexpected constituencies across the left-right spectrum because impacts are visible and local.
- John Russell calls it a "mask off" moment where communities see companies take resources like water with few local benefits.
