themes

A so-called story trust meets weekly to discuss ideas, and themes revolve around milestones and lessons that families experience on a regular basis.

As hostile as the discourse is at times, though, its themes can provide some insight into what kinds of candidates might be appealing to Democrats in future election cycles.

Nine days before Election Day, Donald Trump delivered his closing argument at a Madison Square Garden rally that drew comparisons to a 1939 pro-Nazi rally in the same arena and characterized by similar anti-democratic themes: demonization of immigrants and political enemies, invocation of strongman leadership, threats of violent retribution, denunciations of the press.

In this election, Trump relied on five key themes of gaslighting in various different ways, all of them adding up to an overarching sixth theme: Democrats are the real threat to American democracy, and Donald Trump is its savior.

In this election, Trump relied on five key themes of gaslighting, all of them adding up to an overarching sixth theme: Democrats are the real threat to American democracy, and Donald Trump is its savior.