Donald Trump has a knack for making outrageous claims about his opponents. From accusing them of eating dogs and cats to blaming them for disasters, his goal is always the same: distract people from his own actions. Meanwhile, Democrats and liberals often respond by telling their supporters to ignore him. “Don’t get distracted,” they say, “stay focused on the real issues.”
But this approach isn’t working. Ignoring Trump’s lies and focusing on the “high road” may sound noble, but it leaves Democrats vulnerable. Trump dominates the conversation with his bold accusations, and even if they’re false, they grab attention. Democrats spend more time responding defensively than shaping the narrative, which often gives Trump the upper hand.
A good example of this is the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, which are being called some of the worst in the city’s history. These fires, driven by extreme dry conditions and strong winds, have destroyed homes, forced evacuations of nearly 200,000 people, and tragically taken lives. Firefighters and emergency responders are doing everything they can to contain the disaster, but it’s a massive challenge.
President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom have been working hard to provide aid. Biden declared a federal disaster, opening up resources and funds to help the state. FEMA is covering firefighting costs, and the National Guard, along with Navy helicopters and air tankers, has joined the battle against the flames. This is an all-hands-on-deck response to a historic crisis.
But instead of praising these efforts, Trump is using the disaster to score political points. On social media, he blamed Newsom and Biden for the fires, claiming there’s “no water in the fire hydrants” and “no money in FEMA.” He even called Governor Newsom “Gavin Newscum” and accused him of mismanagement, saying, “I can’t wait until January 20th!”
While these claims are false—hydrants were dry because of damaged infrastructure, not mismanagement—Trump’s lies shift the focus away from the real work being done. His accusations create confusion, leaving Democrats to defend themselves rather than highlight their efforts.
This is a classic Trump tactic. By making bold, baseless claims, he forces his opponents to play defense. Even when Democrats successfully resolve a crisis, Trump’s false narrative often convinces the public they failed. This happens because Democrats and liberals tend to dismiss Trump’s lies as distractions, assuming people will see through them. But Trump’s lies are more than distractions—they shape public opinion.
Here’s the problem: Trump knows how to control the narrative. By repeating his accusations over and over, he makes them stick in people’s minds, regardless of whether they’re true. With the help of a powerful right-wing media machine, these false claims quickly become “truth” to many Americans. This leaves Democrats fighting not just the actual crisis but also public perception, which Trump has already twisted in his favor.
Democrats need to stop ignoring Trump’s lies and start confronting them directly. They can’t rely on facts alone to counter his accusations. They need to fight fire with fire by creating their own compelling narrative. This doesn’t mean stooping to Trump’s level with absurd claims, but it does mean being bold and strategic.
For example, instead of simply dismissing Trump’s comments about the wildfires, Governor Newsom could reframe the situation. He could say, “Not only are we fighting a historic disaster, but we’re also fighting against misinformation and sabotage from those who should be helping us, not attacking us.” This shifts the focus back to the real issue while calling out Trump’s harmful rhetoric.
Democrats also need to stop treating politics as something separate from governance. The belief that solving problems will automatically win public approval is outdated. In today’s political climate, it’s not enough to fix issues—you also have to win the battle of perception. That means meeting Trump’s accusations head-on and showing the public why his claims are false and harmful.
This isn’t just about one wildfire or one crisis. It’s about a pattern of behavior that Trump has perfected. He uses lies and accusations to distract from his own failures and turn public opinion against his opponents. If Democrats don’t learn to fight back effectively, they risk losing public trust and allowing Trump to dominate the narrative.
Ignoring Trump’s accusations might feel like taking the high road, but it’s not a winning strategy. The answer isn’t to avoid politics—it’s to engage in “good politics” that counters Trump’s lies with truth and conviction. By doing so, Democrats can protect their achievements and stop Trump from rewriting reality in his favor.
If Democrats don’t adapt, they’ll keep falling into Trump’s trap. His lies will continue to gain traction, and his ability to twist public opinion will only grow stronger. The stakes are too high to stay silent. It’s time for Democrats to step up, confront Trump’s falsehoods, and show the American people what good leadership looks like.
Now is the time for action—because if Democrats don’t learn this lesson soon, the consequences could be disastrous.
