A New Vocabulary for Democrats
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By Don Varyu, May 26, 2026
Words matte--in relationships, business, and particularly, in politics. Political phrases might be entirely cynical but wildly effective (“make American great again”), or sincere but profoundly stupid (“defund the police”). But how something’s said matters—particularly right now. Every day Trump makes Americans demonstrably poorer…and himself obscenely richer. And every day he says things that are blasphemous. But establishment critics keep letting him off the hook with soft and cautious language.
It’s time to talk tough.
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Following is a list of linguistic examples where progressives need to do far better:
Current: “king”
New: “tyrant”
Note: The word “king” can connote admiration (e.g., Michael Jackson, “king of pop;” or in the old days, Johnny Carson, “king of late night”). Is this how we want to consider Trump? There is nothing admirable about a tyrant, which is exactly what he is. “No more tyrants!”
Current: “authoritarianism”
New: “tyranny”
Note: See above, “king”
Current: “threatening democracy”
New: “ripping up the Constitution”
Note: “Democracy” is the wrong rallying cry because Trump supporters and the disinterested can simply conclude, “hey, people are still voting, aren’t they? So what’s the problem?” It’s far more effective and accurate to constantly drill down on the limitless ways Trump defies and defiles the set of laws laid out by the lionized founding fathers--the same laws he’s twice swore to uphold.
Current: “corruption”
New: “greed”
Note: Frequently words are used to formally and dryly describe a negative condition, but avoid identifying the underlying evil creating that condition. For example, Trump is so greedy he oozes. By not constantly pointing this out we allows him too much space for evasion and distraction. The shameless shakedowns and blackmails by Trump and his family will still be studied a hundred years from now. The New York Times should have a daily feature called, “Today in Graft.”
Current: “income inequality”
New: “fairness”
Note: There is no human being who enjoys being swindled. Income inequality is exactly that. Laws (and particularly tax laws) have been rejiggered for a couple centuries to reward the rich and victimize those who aren’t. Yes, you can complain about being “taken” or “ripped off”—but better to protest the essential unfairness of the system. Financial fairness is the dominant motivating issue of the next two elections; Democrats beter jump in with both feet.
Current: identity politics
New: “created equal”
Note: Democrats have done a better job recently resisting the urge to reflexively jump at every piece of identity bait the right throws out (e.g., “transgender swimmers”). It is far better to look past whichever new group of citizens is being wronged and instead yell about how EVERYONE below the top 10% is being equally victimized by the billionaire class. The only “-ism” with the power to unify is class-ism.
And the words “created equal” may particularly find resonance with religiously motivated voters. They are aware of such ideas in the Bible, e.g., “God does not show favoritism.” (Acts 10:34)”
Current: “physical decline”
Better: “mental illness”
Note: On a nearly daily basis, left-wing online sites write frantic headlines about how Trump “collapses” or is “deteriorating”—all referring to his physical wellbeing. (Enough with the discoloration on the back of his hands!) This doesn’t land because it’s betrayed by a guy who still looks robust and confident, even when he’s saying insane things. But media ignore the insanity because of some unwritten rule about not attributing any form of mental illness, especially to a “leader.” The hell with that. There is no shortage of publicity-hungry psychologists or psychiatrists who would gladly accept an invitation to sit on camera and explain how Trump’s words and actions sync with diagnoses of narcissism, delusion and antisocial personality disorder. What’s going on in his head is infinitely more relevant than what’s happening on the back of his hand.
Current: “old man”
New: “criminal”
Note: As with physical appearance, stop making fun of Trump because of his age. Realize that many voters have parents or grandparents who are also old;and no one wants to see grandma mocked. Trump’s actions would make him a criminal no matter how old he is, so, in this case, by all means focus on the sins and not the sinner.
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In short, stop being so damn polite. Call this what it is—a horror show.
Focus on repeating just three messages:
· —He’s nuts
· —He doesn’t care about you
· —He only cares about grabbing money out of your pocket and stuffing it into his own.
That’s it.
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There’s an old line that says the purpose of journalism is to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.
It’s time to start afflicting—but the right way, using the right words.
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