The spiked podcast 315: Why Trump won
Nov 6, 2024
Batya Ungar-Sargon, a columnist and author known for her insights on social class, joins independent journalist Zaid Jilani and Nick Gillespie, editor at Reason magazine, to dissect Trump's surprising political comeback. They delve into Trump’s appeal among working-class voters, challenging the media's misconceptions about their priorities. The trio confronts narratives of racism in his support base, highlighting a multiracial coalition. They also discuss shifting political dynamics and the urgent need for more relevant discourse in today's politics.
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Class Realignment Drove The Result
- The election reflected a class-based realignment where working-class voters of all races defected from Democrats to Trump.
- Batya Ungar-Sargon argues this was driven by elites prioritizing credentials over working-class economic interests.
Policy Shift Over Cultural Caricature
- Trump's platform attacked free trade, endless foreign wars and elite social conservatism to win working-class support.
- Policies like tariffs, reshoring incentives and border control targeted worker wages and jobs directly.
Immigration As An Economic Issue
- Immigration policy separated elites from working-class voters because open borders lowered wages by increasing labor supply.
- Batya Ungar-Sargon says restricting immigration was framed as defending citizenship and worker pay.