To defeat Trump in 2024, we must amplify the voices of anti-Trump veterans. Every persuasive message tells a story, and we know from our Narrative Strategy training that every story has three key ingredients: a protagonist who represents the larger “we,” a villain who threatens the protagonist and the communities they represent, and a conflict that calls the protagonist to take action. Here’s how these elements function in our Vets Against Trump story:

1. Veterans are the protagonists of our story, and we represent a big and inclusive America united around common sense shared values.

2. Trump is our villain, along with his MAGA Republican followers and billionaire CEO cronies.

3. The conflict is the 2024 election, and the threat of Trump and MAGA Republicans hijacking our country and robbing us of the very freedoms we put our lives on the line to defend.

Our tone should be disciplined, credible, and urgent. Everything we do and say should build on our status as trusted messengers, and position us to best reach the voters we need to persuade. The best way to do this is by presenting ourselves as serious, determined professionals who are once again called upon to defend our country. It also means leaning into our authentic, deeply-held values and convictions, informed by our experience in the military. Finally, we must always communicate urgency: this is not a normal election, but a pivotal moment where the very foundation of our democracy hangs in the balance.

The issue of Israel/Palestine is one of the longest divides and most contentious issues in US politics, but recent events show seismic shifts in public opinion in favor of Palestinian people and their liberation, especially among young people. While this issue has major inflection points throughout contemporary history (1917, 1948, 1967, 1993, 2002, and through today), we believe—as with all of our narrative strategy—that hearts and minds are not changed by being policy or history experts. The lived stories, experiences, and an emphasis on our shared values is our path to progress.

Core Narrative Strategy:

1. Use our experience as a war-impacted community to humanize the innocent civilians caught in the conflict, make clear that U.S. funding is enabling this violence, and to push back on both Islamophobic and anti-Semitic narratives.

2. Use our unique experience of the consequences of war to highlight the threat of escalation, and urge policies that prevent the US from being embroiled in a new regional war in the Middle East.

3. Advocate for peace, justice, and an end to the occupation while avoiding inflammatory and escalatory language.

4. Emphasize human stories and shared values over policy details. Focus on individual experiences to highlight the human impact of the conflict.

5. Integrate veteran experiences within other contexts and stories to add credibility and a unique viewpoint.

Topline Messages

Any occupation of people is unjust and immoral. It was unjust for U.S. forces to occupy Afghanistan for 20 years which is why we, as veterans and Common Defense, fought to end America’s Forever War and it is why we have worked with and amplified the voices of Israeli veterans and former Palestinian combatants like Breaking the Silence and Combatants for Peace, who are working toward peace and an end to the occupation.

As climate change is ravaging our communities, companies are continuing to profit off of the destruction of our lands and communities. Add your voice to demand that our elected officials prioritize renewable resources and our communities over corporate profits.