How the Trump Campaign Took the White Working Class by Storm

Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election, many on the left were surprised at his success. As for many in the white middle class, they were only astonished that others didn’t see it coming.

In her new book, White Working Class: Overcoming Class Cluelessness in America, Joan Williams explores the anger, resentment and disconnect of white working class voters against progressives and establishment politicians - both Democrat and Republican - who supported the free trade deals and globalism that sent many of their stable, blue-collar jobs overseas, and examines their embrace of New York billionaire Trump’s vague, populist promises that he’d bring those jobs back.

The Better Life Lab at New America invites you to join our discussion with Williams and Washington Post reporter Jenna Johnson as we discuss race, class, economic anxiety and the way forward in a Trump presidency.

Joan C. Williams is a Distinguished Professor of Law, UC Hastings Foundation Chair, and the Founding Director of the Center for WorkLife Law at UC Hastings College of the Law. 

Introduction:

Anne-Marie Slaughter
President and CEO, New America
@SlaughterAM

Participants:

Joan C. Williams 
Distinguished Professor of Law, UC Hastings College of the Law 
@JoanCWilliams 

Janell Ross 
Political Reporter, The Washington Post 
Fellow, New America
@JanellRoss 

Cecilia Muñoz
Vice President of Policy and Technology, New America
@cecmunoz

Moderator: