100 days, 100 shandas

Donald Trump’s first 100 days are not going well, for him or for the country.

His authoritarian tactics have proven historically unpopular, as are his erratic and destructive tariffs, and he has the lowest approval rating in the first 100 days in 80 years. 

Another poll showed that 45% – nearly half – of all Americans give him a failing grade for his first 100 days in office. 

A third poll found that 52% of Americans view Trump as a “dangerous dictator.” This one, of course, shouldn’t surprise anyone, because he promised to be a dictator “on day one.”

These aren’t just data points – they are signs that Americans are paying attention, and our efforts to keep voters informed, engaged, and mobilized are working. Americans are not tuning out Trump’s destructive policies; they’re opposing them, and in the case of Jewish voters, we’re organizing, engaging, and fighting back.

As I wrote about on Friday, there are stunning parallels between Hitler’s consolidation of power in the 1930s and Donald Trump’s first 100 days. Examples include banning books, censoring the media, extorting law firms, decimating the civil service, threatening academic independence and annexation of neighboring countries, urging federal government employees to report “anti-Christian bias,” assuming control over cultural centers and independent think tanks, detaining and deporting legal residents without due process, arresting judges, dehumanizing immigrants, and weaponizing the levers of government against political opponents. 

JDCA is tracking key issues of importance to Jewish Americans and providing opportunities for action on TrumpWatch. 

JDCA has stood up and spoken out – offering community and opportunities for engagement over the past 100 days – and we will continue to do so. We will not be intimidated, we will not cower, we will organize for change, and we will continue to stand up for our values. We’ve had tens of thousands engage with our calls to action, writing, calling, and petitioning elected officials.

Despite Trump’s attacks on ActBlue – the grassroots fundraising portal used by Democrats – we will not allow him to silence our voices or deter our engagement in democracy. To the contrary, we’re standing up and speaking out.   

We have reasons to hope. Trump’s favorability is plummeting. Democrats are outperforming in special elections, including in the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court race, where JDCA made more than 30,000 volunteer calls to help elect Susan Crawford. We can and will succeed in our advocacy and win at the ballot box with your help.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

In solidarity, 

Halie Soifer

Jewish Democratic Council of America