Donald Trump’s political success has often been linked to his ability to tap into white grievance, a strategy aimed at mobilizing white voters who feel marginalized or victimized because of their race. Many conservative white Americans perceive a liberal establishment as scornful of their values, fueling a desire for revenge.
Trump has harnessed this sentiment not only to campaign effectively but also to govern, positioning himself as a victim of elite disdain while provoking outrage from his opponents. This approach echoes a longstanding narrative that casts white suffering as a consequence of racial identity, a myth with deep historical roots.
The origins of white victimhood can be traced back to figures like Peter Williamson, an 18th-century printer who turned his personal experiences into sensationalized accounts of white suffering. Williamson’s embellished stories of captivity and oppression, including fabricated scenes of Indigenous violence, were designed to attract attention and highlight systemic injustices.
While his aim was to expose the hypocrisy of elites profiting from child trafficking, Williamson’s narratives also reinforced racial hierarchies by portraying people of color as villains. His work marked the emergence of a dual enemy—white elites and marginalized racial groups—that would become a recurring theme in the politics of white grievance.
Williamson’s narrative strategy relied on exaggeration and spectacle, which only amplified his influence despite criticism. Accused of being a “professional liar,” he doubled down on his claims, using theatrical methods like dressing as a Delaware Indian to market his story.
Donald Trump
His efforts not only popularized the idea of white victimhood but also inspired a wave of similar narratives about “white slavery,” which gained traction as a rhetorical counter to abolitionist movements. These stories shifted attention away from the brutal realities of Black enslavement, complicating efforts to build solidarity between abolitionists and working-class organizers.
In the 19th century, white victimhood became entwined with labor politics, as activists like Richard Oastler and George Henry Evans invoked the term “white slavery” to critique elite exploitation while undermining abolitionist causes.
This rhetoric framed white suffering as paramount, sidelining the struggles of Black workers and fracturing the potential for multi-racial labor alliances. The tactic of targeting both racial minorities and elite figures created a powerful, divisive narrative that hindered the development of inclusive and unified labor movements.
The populist leader Tom Watson initially sought to unite Black and white workers against corporate exploitation during the 1890s. However, his failure to achieve national political success led him to adopt a more reactionary stance, blaming Black farmers and white Republican allies for the hardships faced by white workers. This shift to overt white supremacy eroded the moral foundation of populism and helped solidify racial divisions within the working class, weakening broader efforts to challenge systemic inequalities.
Trump’s contemporary political strategy draws on these historical patterns of white victimhood. By casting himself and his followers as under siege by elite forces, he channels the grievances of working-class white Americans into a narrative of racialized suffering.
Donald Trump
Efforts by critics to expose Trump’s lies or mock his supporters often reinforce his appeal, as they align with a historical pattern in which attacks on figures like Williamson only strengthened their influence. This dynamic marginalizes more inclusive approaches to addressing economic struggles, perpetuating a cycle of grievance-based politics.
Despite the divisive impact of white victimhood, history offers examples of alternative paths. Inclusive labor movements, such as those during the New Deal era or Reverend William Barber’s current campaigns, have demonstrated the potential for multi-racial alliances to combat systemic injustices. These efforts show that uniting diverse communities around shared struggles can counteract the divisive narratives of white grievance and build a foundation for a more equitable and democratic society.
