President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to shape America in his vision, but many believe he’ll face resistance every step of the way, just like he did during his first term. Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, told Salon’s Chauncey DeVega that Trump’s actions won’t just meet opposition—they could lead to his own downfall.
The Republican Party is already showing signs of division even before Trump officially takes office. House and Senate Republicans are openly disagreeing with each other, and Trump has stirred outrage for praising a far-right lawyer who has been charged with crimes in multiple states for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. This early chaos is a sign of how difficult it may be for Trump to push his agenda forward, even with a Republican-controlled government.
Wilson said that while it was disappointing to see Trump win a second term, the nation is still very evenly split. “Trump doesn’t have the overwhelming support he and his followers like to claim,” Wilson said. He pointed to the recent budget battle, where Trump and Elon Musk disrupted the process at the last minute, causing chaos without considering the consequences. This, Wilson explained, shows just how hard it will be for Trump and his team to impose their will on the country.
“As Inauguration Day gets closer, we’re ready for another fight,” Wilson said. “We will challenge Trump’s reckless cabinet picks and expose his actions every chance we get. We won’t stand by and let an undemocratic administration take over. The future of the country is at stake.” According to Wilson, Trump is already trying to silence the media and pressure corporations to fall in line with his plans. That’s why, Wilson said, it’s critical for someone to step up and lead the opposition, to make sure there’s a counterbalance to Trump’s power.
Wilson believes the stakes couldn’t be higher. He warned that Trump’s plans could lead to disastrous consequences for the country. For example, Trump’s push for massive tariffs could damage the economy, leading to higher prices and fewer jobs. His immigration policies might result in mass deportations, with some U.S. citizens potentially caught up in the process. On the global stage, Wilson fears Trump could let Vladimir Putin expand Russia’s control by invading Ukraine and undermining NATO, leaving America and its allies weaker.
For Wilson and others in the opposition, the fight isn’t just political—it’s about protecting the values that define America. They worry that Trump’s policies could erode democracy, harm the economy, and damage the country’s standing in the world. That’s why they’re determined to push back against him at every turn and rally others to join the cause. The stakes, they argue, are too high to stay silent.
