Veteran Democrat strategist David Axelrod—yes, that Axelrod—had some rare, almost-backhanded compliments for Trump’s 2024 campaign, acknowledging that Trump’s team knew exactly what they were doing. Axelrod summed it up on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Give Trump’s team credit. They set out from the start to define her as the status quo by tying her to an unpopular president on economy/border issues, and they succeeded.”
Well, finally, a Democrat admits it. Trump’s campaign knew precisely how to define Kamala Harris as the embodiment of Biden’s floundering legacy. Inflation through the roof, a border that’s a revolving door, and a “meh” approval rating from Biden—that’s what Team Trump tied to Harris, and it stuck.
Axelrod, who helped steer Obama to victory twice, seemed to grasp why Harris never stood a chance. He called the challenges Harris faced “tremendous headwinds,” pointing to Biden’s 40% approval rating, the economic downturn, and rising discontent over border security. It’s hard to run a winning campaign when two-thirds of voters think the economy’s tanking and only 28% believe the country is on the right track. As Axelrod put it, “No incumbent party has ever overcome such numbers.” Harris’ team can’t say they weren’t warned.
And while Harris’ defenders have been quick to deflect blame, saying that incumbents worldwide have struggled to hold onto their seats lately, or that Harris had little time to get her campaign together, let’s face it—Trump’s victory wasn’t just about some “bad timing” or “global trends.” This was a calculated message by Trump’s team and a complete disconnect by Harris, who ducked tough questions on immigration and foreign policy. Axelrod even said she “would acknowledge no concerns about any of the administration’s policies,” which made her appear out of touch.
Biden himself bowed out in July after one tough debate with Trump, leaving Harris with little time to prepare. But even with Biden stepping aside, Harris just couldn’t break through. She struggled to gain support, craft a clear message, or even admit the obvious flaws in her platform. And when Trump notched a clear victory with 295 electoral votes by clinching swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, Harris’ team could only watch as their dream slipped away.
As Trump’s team prepares to return to the White House, they’ve proven that connecting with everyday Americans on issues that matter wins elections. This was a huge victory for voters who wanted change—real change—not just more of the same D.C. platitudes.
