In late 2016, the US was witness to a massive wave of activism and protest following Donald Trump’s presidential election. Women, in particular, took to the streets, donning “pussy” hats in a symbol of defiance. Eight years later, with Trump’s second term secured, the response has been more muted.
Many Americans, especially those who are anti-Trump, are struggling to cope with the return of the president. In New York City, the sense of shock and disillusionment has given way to a sense of resignation and exhaustion. The left-leaning media outlet MSNBC has seen a 47% drop in viewership since the election, while the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times have lost hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
Sonia Ossorio, executive director of the National Organization for Women NYC, suggests that this is a “coping method” – a way for people to deal with the stress and uncertainty of living under Trump’s presidency. Others describe it as a sense of “toxic fatigue”, where the constant barrage of negative news and political tumult has become overwhelming.
While some individuals are still deeply engaged with politics, many are taking a step back and focusing on other areas of their lives. According to a new study from the Cambridge Judge Business School, the constant stream of negative news can be emotionally draining, and taking a break could be important for mental health.
Despite the lack of widespread protest and activism, some groups are still planning to take to the streets. The Women’s March, for example, is planning another rally in January, and other organizations are considering more localized protests. Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director at Women’s March, believes that while marches may not be as popular as they were in 2017, they still have the power to bring new people into movements and tell the story of the resistance.
In the end, it’s unclear whether the “tune-out” of late 2024 will ultimately lead to a more meaningful and sustained resistance to Trump’s presidency. But as one individual in Washington Square Park noted, “Taking a break could be important for many reasons, including to recover.”
