Story perspectives

Trump's 'Common Sense' Strategy Targets Rural Voters

10/23/2025

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump uses 'common sense' to connect with voters and bolster his populist appeal.
Trump has suggested pregnant women avoid Tylenol while he calls the jobs report 'rigged,' saying 'smart people' recognize it.
His use of 'common sense' contrasts with academic views and targets older, rural voters.
Democrats also use the term, but Trump's framing as 'nonsense' makes it a weapon for Trump-aligned movement to justify unconventional policies.

History

Historical Context

The Populist Movement emerged in the early 1890s, driven by farmers' discontent during the Gilded Age. The People's Party advocated for reforms like direct senatorial elections and a graduated income tax, capturing 8.5% of the vote in the 1892 election. This movement laid the groundwork for future populist rhetoric, influencing contemporary figures like Donald Trump, who similarly challenge elite norms.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump uses 'common sense' to connect with voters and bolster his populist appeal.
Trump has suggested pregnant women avoid Tylenol while he calls the jobs report 'rigged,' saying 'smart people' recognize it.
His use of 'common sense' contrasts with academic views and targets older, rural voters.
Democrats also use the term, but Trump's framing as 'nonsense' makes it a weapon for Trump-aligned movement to justify unconventional policies.

1 / 2