It’s only been a few days, but a glaring contrast between the Republican National Convention (RNC) and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) has emerged, offering a crystal-clear illustration of the starkly different visions each party has for America’s future.
The RNC was a rallying cry for the forgotten Americans, amplifying the voices of those who have been crushed by the disastrous policies of the Biden-Harris administration. It wasn’t politicians and Hollywood elites stealing the spotlight—it was the everyday Americans whose lives have been wrecked by the failures of the Democrats.
The RNC’s most powerful moments came from those who have suffered directly from the reckless policies pushed by Kamala Harris and her liberal allies. The families of the 13 Marines killed during Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal. The mother whose war-hero son was murdered by criminals released thanks to Harris’s “soft on crime” agenda. “Angel Families” of people who were killed by illegal immigrants whom have been allowed to the pour into the country while Kamal Harris dithered as “border czar.” The testimonials were gripping and emotional. The speakers weren’t celebrities or politicians, and they didn’t mince words—they told the raw, unvarnished truth about the devastation caused by Kamala Harris’s policies.
The only testimonials at the DNC so far came from abortion activists with exceptionally rare personal circumstances most Americans might struggle to relate with, and who would not be affected by Donald Trump’s support for abortion exceptions in instances of rape, incest, or when the health or life of the mother might be in jeopardy.
In contrast, the DNC feels more like an awards show than a political convention. A glitzy parade of political celebrities, out-of-touch elites, and D-list television celebrities, from the Obamas to Ana Navarro-Cardenas. There’s J.B. Pritzker, the billionaire governor of Illinois. And Ken Chenault, the millionaire CEO who became wealthy off credit card interest rates and onerous late fees Elizbeth Warren claims personifies corporate greed. If you don’t feel connected to these speakers, just wait until you hear from the children of former Presidents.
These are people who live in their mansions, isolated from the struggles of average Americans, yet they preach to the rest of us about how to live. While the RNC connected with real Americans, the DNC showcased Hollywood and Washington’s disconnected elite, more concerned with their own power and status than with the real issues facing this country.
The star power at the Republican National Convention was provided by people like Terry Bollea, the son of a construction worker and dance teacher, who spoke plainly about the things Americans care about most: “crime is out of control, the border is out of control, the price of food and gas, and housing is out of control, and the only person who can clean this up is Donald Trump.” Bollea, also known to millions of Americas as “Hulk Hogan” didn’t offer eloquent remarks contradicting the idea that government is “inherently corrupt,” like Obama did, but I would venture his remarks rang truer to a broader swath of Americans than the former President’s.
The difference between the two conventions isn’t just a matter of style—it’s about who they represent. The RNC was a convention of the people, grounded in the harsh realities that many Americans face every day as a result of Kamala Harris’s last four years as Joe Biden’s governing partner.
The DNC, on the other hand, is a convention for the elites, a reminder that the Democratic Party is more interested in preserving its own power than in addressing the real concerns of everyday Americans. The images of Nancy Pelosi cheering in the audience while Joe Biden gave a farewell address, was a cold-blooded reminder that Donald Trump participated in 54 primary contests and earned the vote of more than 14 million Americans to secure his nomination as the Republican nominee for President. Kamala Harris was installed as the Democratic nominee for President by Nancy Pelosi ad Michelle and Barack Obama, not because it would be better for you, but because it would be better for them.
This divide highlights a growing chasm in our politics: one party stands with the forgotten men and women, while the other is increasingly isolated in its bubble of wealth and privilege.
As we head into the final stretch of the election, this contrast offers Donald Trump a powerful narrative that he must seize. The Republican Party under Donald Trump is the party of the American people, while the DNC has long revealed itself as the party of the American elite.
If Trump can harness this message—of a campaign grounded in the struggles of real Americans versus one rooted in the fantasies of the rich and powerful—he can rally the voters who feel abandoned by the Democrats and secure a decisive victory in November.
Alberto Martinez, a Republican strategist and veteran of three presidential campaigns, is a former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and an Executive Vice President with Targeted Victory.