EDITORIAL: Progressives cannot tune out after Trump’s win

Now is not the time to disengage from politics

Just a few days ago, we faced a heartbreaking election outcome. Donald Trump has been reelected president, sweeping all key swing states and securing the popular vote. Alongside this, Republicans have taken control of the Senate and are on track to keep the House as well.

Vice President Kamala Harris captured the essence of this moment in her concession speech: “I will often say that when we fight, we win. But here’s the thing: Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.” President Biden added to this sentiment in his own speech, reminding us that “a defeat does not mean we are defeated” and that “setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable. We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character . . . is how quickly we get back up.”

These words resonate deeply now, as this outcome feels like a major setback for the progressive movement. So much was at stake in this election, and after years of political activism and hope, the disappointment is real. Many supporters of progressive causes are feeling a profound sense of fatigue and frustration, and some are choosing to step back from political content entirely to process and regroup.

This disengagement is a natural response for people who have invested so much, but it’s also an inflection point for the progressive movement. Political gains are rarely linear, and history teaches us that challenges are often the springboards for later successes. Movements like the New Deal and civil rights era were built on a foundation of resilience through even greater obstacles, where support systems strengthened, and new alliances formed in response to setbacks.

As progressive media, we’re feeling this shift, too. Like many independent creators, we’ve noticed a temporary dip in engagement across our platforms. But this isn’t just about us. Progressive media as a whole relies on community support, not only to counterbalance misinformation but to build a broader conversation that uplifts the causes we believe in. 

Conservative media tends to respond to challenges by doubling down—investing in networks, building stronger alliances, and bringing supporters closer. The result is often a powerful infrastructure that extends their reach. Meanwhile, the progressive movement has a different challenge: How do we maintain the energy and engagement necessary to keep pushing forward, even when the path seems uphill?

This is where your support is pivotal. We understand that some people need to take a break and that self-care is essential. But staying connected—even in a minimal way—helps keep the movement going. Progress doesn’t require us to be at full strength every day; it requires a commitment to return and to stand together, especially when times are hard.

So, if you’re tuning out for now, we ask that you hold onto your subscriptions and memberships. Even if you’re not engaging actively, remaining connected means progressive media can continue creating, challenging narratives, and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard.

To our community: we deeply appreciate your support through every phase of this journey. Together, we can regroup and recharge, ready to come back stronger. As long as we stay engaged, we remain a movement with the power to shape the future. Let’s hold on, get back up, and keep pushing forward.