Robert Reich argues that the US election results reflect a broader surge in anti-establishment populism, rather than the usual midterm backlash against the party in power. He points to Democratic Senate victories in Texas and Kansas, states where Democrats had not won those races in decades.
Reich says the outcome cannot be explained solely by economic dissatisfaction or by Donald Trump’s presence in politics. While voters are concerned about high prices, he notes that inflation is not out of control, the country is not in a recession or depression, and unemployment remains low. Trump was not on the ballot, and many candidates focused their campaigns on state and local issues.
Instead, Reich identifies voter anger at large corporations, wealthy political donors and major technology companies as a central force. He argues that companies have recorded high profits while people face higher costs, and that campaign spending by mega-donors and super PACs has further fueled distrust.
In Reich’s view, Trump’s second term has also weakened his anti-establishment appeal. He says the president has supported policies and projects benefiting technology billionaires and other powerful interests, prompting some people who backed him in 2016 and 2024 to turn away. Reich cites a CNBC poll from late October in which corruption was the leading issue for voters.
He also sees the populist message taking hold among Democrats. Texas Senate candidate James Talarico framed the country’s main divide as “top versus bottom,” while Reich points to Sherrod Brown’s return to the Senate in Ohio and campaigns in Michigan and Kansas that challenged corporate influence and addressed issues such as data centers, energy costs, stock trading by lawmakers and price-gouging.
The question Reich raises is whether Democrats will use their expected control of Congress in January to pursue policies including Medicare for All, stronger antitrust laws and limits on campaign contributions. He notes that Trump could veto such measures, but argues they could still set out the party’s priorities ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Sources: The Guardian Business.