Like millions of Americans, I was deeply upset that Donald Trump, a figure often described as a “narcissist,” “ignorant,” “racist,” “misogynistic,” “authoritarian,” and “dangerous,” managed to win what was once again described as “the most important election of our lifetime.”

Unlike most, however, I wasn’t surprised. While racism and misogyny undoubtedly played a role—especially given the historic nature of his opponent as the first Black woman nominated for the presidency—the root causes of this defeat lay within the Democratic Party itself. Chief among these were President Joe Biden’s unfulfilled promises and his administration’s contentious policies, which alienated significant portions of young, working-class, and progressive voters.

When Biden ran in 2020, he promised transformative change: millions of jobs through investments in infrastructure, caregiving, and manufacturing; meaningful gun control; and tax reforms targeting billionaires and corporations. While his administration oversaw job growth, much of it was a natural rebound from the pandemic rather than a product of transformative policy—and it came alongside skyrocketing inflation and surging food prices. On gun control, modest progress came through expanded federal background checks, yet glaring loopholes remained. Meanwhile, Biden’s ambitious tax reforms were stymied by congressional opposition. His foreign policy record also fell short. While he ended the war in Afghanistan, the withdrawal’s chaos and the swift resurgence of the Taliban undermined any sense of accomplishment, restoring a regime infamous for its human rights abuses.

The administration’s inability to deliver on key promises extended further. Biden’s high-profile student debt forgiveness plan was struck down by a conservative Supreme Court. The same court, reshaped by Trump appointees, dismantled Roe v. Wade, leaving reproductive rights to the whims of state legislatures. Despite widespread outrage and a Democratic congressional majority at the time, efforts to codify Roe’s protections into federal law failed. Adherence to norms like the filibuster and an unwillingness to consider bold actions such as expanding the Supreme Court left progressive voters disillusioned and the Democratic base fractured.

The Democrats’ mishandling of critical constituencies only compounded these failures. Arab and Muslim Americans, historically loyal to the Democratic Party, felt alienated by the administration’s uncritical support for Israel, even as the conflict in Gaza escalated. Harris’s refusal to engage with prominent Muslim and Arab voices further deepened the divide. On election day, an unprecedented 53% of Arab and Muslim voters chose third-party candidate Jill Stein, while 25% backed Trump and just 21% supported Kamala Harris.

Cultural dynamics also shifted the political landscape. Misogynistic influencers like Andrew Tate and Sneako, amplified by platforms such as Joe Rogan’s podcast, exploited grievances and directed disaffected young men toward the alt-right. This further solidified Trump’s appeal among younger male voters. Simultaneously, movements like the “tradwife” phenomenon romanticized regressive gender roles, contributing to a demographic shift that saw more white women supporting Trump than in his previous campaigns.

Media strategy proved decisive. Trump’s campaign embraced independent platforms, sidestepping traditional media gatekeepers. Appearances on popular podcasts like Joe Rogan, Adin Ross, and Logan Paul allowed him to reach audiences ignored by Democrats. Harris, by contrast, failed to leverage similar opportunities, neglecting independent outlets that might have bolstered her appeal to younger and more diverse voters.

The campaign’s final months highlighted the structural disadvantages Harris faced. After Biden’s faltering debate performance and subsequent withdrawal, Harris inherited a campaign lacking cohesion and momentum. While she performed well in the one debate, her efforts couldn’t overcome the Democratic Party’s strategic missteps or the Republican Party’s years-long media and grassroots organizing efforts.

Ultimately, Trump’s victory was not merely a triumph of racism or misogyny. It was the result of a Democratic Party that failed to address the needs of working-class Americans, neglected its progressive base, and underestimated the power of alternative media and cultural influencers. If Democrats hope to avoid another defeat in 2028—assuming the integrity of the electoral system endures—they must confront their shortcomings and recalibrate their approach. Failure to do so could usher in another wave of populist conservatism, potentially led by figures like J.D. Vance.