Trump’s Return: Practical Advice to Staying Engaged and Fighting Back

  • Blog

Insights from the web and our friends and partners on ways to push back over the next four years.

As the nation braces for another four years of Trump, we asked our partners and creators to share strategies for pushing back against his agenda and gathered some of the best guides available online.

Emma, Creator (@thesimpleenvironmentalist):

While it is important to be engaged online to stay up to date, it is just as important to log off and engage with your real-life community. Now more than ever, our neighbors will need us. Join mutual aid, volunteer, attend town halls, and get to know the people in your neighborhood. Look out for one another and be willing to offer a helping hand. Trade, borrow, and make friends. We’re in this together!


Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Resisting the Trump Agenda

Indivisible’s practical guide is a clear and actionable playbook for organizations navigating the challenges of Trump 2.0. Access the full guide here.

Key Takeaways from the Guide:

Grassroots Power is Key – Small, organized groups can have an outsized impact on policy by consistently applying pressure through calls, meetings, and public actions.

Effective Advocacy Tactics – Engaging with elected officials through town halls, office visits, and persistent communication can shape legislative outcomes.

Building Strong Local Groups – Creating structured, sustainable local organizations ensures continued advocacy and collective action.

Strategic Media Engagement – Amplifying messages through traditional and social media channels is critical to shaping public opinion and influencing decision-makers.

Persistence Wins – Policy change requires consistent effort and long-term commitment; victories often come through sustained and strategic activism.


Val Cheney, Senior Director of Organizing, People First:

Brooks Running Shoes, Cinnabon, Home Goods, the New York Yankees, and L..L Bean.

Now, you might be asking yourself, what do all these brands have in common?

Sure, they sell you togetherness, positivity, and community — but what they don’t advertise is where your money goes once it leaves your pocket. Did you know all these brands made significant contributions to the Trump administration and Project 2025?

Corporate donations often happen behind the scenes, quietly funding political agendas that many consumers would never knowingly support. This year, Trump is expected to receive a record-breaking amount of corporate donations, with over $170M already raised for his inaugural fund.

So you might be asking yourself: What can I do about it?

The answer is a lot.

The first step is to stop thinking you’re completely powerless. Collective action problems thrive in an environment where we feel as though our individual decisions won’t make a difference.

The second step is to redirect your focus. Of course boycotting massive corporations won’t topple them overnight, but that’s not the point. Imagine instead what your support could mean to your local hardware store struggling to compete with Amazon, or your favorite coffee shop that’s fighting to keep its doors open.

Be intentional with your purchases and think twice about who and what your purchases support.


Dan Pfeiffer: A Guide to Surviving the Trump Presidency
Message Box offers strategic advice and actionable insights for individuals and organizations looking to navigate the political challenges posed by a second Trump term. Read the full guide here.

Key Takeaways from the Guide:

Prepare for Rapid Policy Shifts – Be ready to respond to sudden changes in legislation and executive actions that could impact key issues such as civil rights, healthcare, and climate policies.

Strengthen Local Organizing – Building robust local networks and coalitions can help communities resist harmful policies and mobilize effectively.

Effective Messaging Strategies – Crafting clear, compelling narratives that resonate with a broad audience is essential to counter disinformation and maintain public support.

Engage with Institutions – Leveraging existing institutions, from the media to the courts, can serve as critical pressure points in pushing back against authoritarian tendencies.

Mental Resilience and Self-Care – Activists and advocates are encouraged to prioritize mental health and avoid burnout to sustain long-term efforts.


David Rochkind, CEO, Ground Media:

To push back against the Trump MAGA agenda online, organizations and individuals must shift from reactive messaging to proactive narrative change that uses persuasive storytelling. Focus on creating authentic, emotionally engaging content that reflects shared values like safety, fairness, and opportunity. Share real stories of real people to show—not just tell—how progressive policies improve lives. Blend the trust of organic content with the reach of paid advertising to amplify these stories, ensuring they feel relatable and not like political propaganda. Set clear persuasion goals, tapping into deeper emotional drivers to inspire belief and action. By embedding these principles into your digital strategy, you can lead with hope, inspire change, and build a movement that resonates far beyond the moment.

Preston D. Mitchum, CEO, PDM Consulting LLC:

To push back against the Trump agenda, individuals and creators must use their online platforms to educate, amplify, and mobilize their audiences. We must provide accessible and factual information about policies that harm marginalized communities, particularly those affecting racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive health, and gender equity. Creators can break down complex issues, making them easier for followers to understand and share, while linking to credible resources and organizations offering actionable solutions. Amplifying the voices of those directly impacted is another essential step. By centering our stories, we can humanize the effects of harmful policies and demonstrate why resistance is necessary. Social media can also be a tool for mobilization, encouraging followers to contact representatives, sign petitions, attend protests, or donate to causes supporting justice and equity. Finally, combating misinformation is critical in this specific digital age we are witnessing. Individuals can push back against false narratives by sharing fact-based content, encouraging critical thinking, and directing audiences to reputable sources. Together, these actions not only resist harmful policies but also build a more informed and empowered community committed to justice and equity.


The Big Picture: Surviving The Next Four Years

Navigating a Trump presidency demands awareness, resilience, and action. This guide offers practical strategies to stay informed, support democratic institutions, and make impactful choices. Read the full post here.

Key Takeaways from the Guide:

  • Stay Informed and Engaged – Understanding policy changes and their impacts is crucial. Stay updated through reliable news sources and independent journalism.
  • Support Democratic Institutions – Strengthening institutions that uphold democracy, such as the courts and free press, can help counter authoritarian tendencies.
  • Community Mobilization is Key – Building strong local networks and engaging with grassroots movements can amplify collective resistance efforts.
  • Financial Responsibility – Be mindful of where your money goes; consider supporting businesses and organizations that align with democratic values.
  • Resist Normalization – Avoid becoming desensitized to harmful policies and rhetoric; speak out and challenge misinformation consistently.
  • Prepare for Policy Shifts – Anticipate potential changes in healthcare, immigration, and social policies, and take proactive measures to protect yourself and your community.
  • Protect Mental Well-Being – Political stress can take a toll; prioritize self-care and seek support when needed to stay resilient.
  • Use Your Voice – Whether through voting, advocacy, or social media, individual actions can collectively make a significant impact.

Sari Beth Rosenberg, Creator (@saribethrose) and U.S. History Teacher:

We can push back against the Trump agenda by never obeying in advance—a concept from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny—and remaining steadfast stewards of the truth, especially as platforms like Meta remove fact-checking measures. Combating disinformation requires vetting sources and sharing credible information, while education is a powerful tool to empower communities. By learning about history, civics, and authoritarian tactics, people can recognize dangerous patterns and take informed action. At the same time, we must amplify marginalized voices, resist fear by embracing joy and humor, and remind others not just what we stand against, but what we stand for: democracy, justice, and hope. Finally, fostering offline connections through panels, events, and community-building ensures resilience and solidarity in this fight.

Joe Drymala, Founder of Share Of Voice, a firm that analyzes social media data for messaging and political insights:

One of the biggest trends I’ve seen online since the pandemic is a burning, simmering rage at corporations for screwing consumers and workers over in ways large and small. The anger is bipartisan (see the reaction to the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare), and in fact, Trump himself was able to harness it with his embrace of RFK Jr.’s anti-corporate “MAHA” message. Since the election, though, Trump has surrounded himself with billionaires and pledged to cut corporate taxes even while he backed off his promise to lower grocery prices. Trump himself was not a strong enough villain to mobilize voters in 2024, but corporate America absolutely is. That’s where the anti-Trump message should focus its energy, and groups like labor unions (who have historically high approval ratings right now) are pointing the way forward in how to do that.