Major unions, like the Teamsters, are showing signs of endorsing Donald Trump, causing Democrats to panic. Historically, unions and their members have been a reliable voting block for Democrats. However, this potential shift signals trouble for the party as it heads into the 2024 election cycle.
The Teamsters, one of the largest unions in the U.S., recently made a rare donation to the RNC after their president, Sean O’Brien, met with Trump. O’Brien’s request for speaking slots at both the Republican and Democratic conventions further indicates a move toward bipartisan engagement. Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers (UAW) withheld its endorsement of Biden until January due to frustrations with his pro-EV policies, reflecting broader dissatisfaction within union ranks.
Despite Joe Biden’s self-proclaimed status as the “most pro-union president,” his support among union workers is waning. Last September, Biden made a brief appearance at a UAW protest for a photo-op, but this gesture has done little to sway union sentiment. Exit polls from 2020 showed union voters favored Biden by 16 percent. However, recent polling indicates his lead has shrunk to just 9 percent. This decline in support was highlighted in April when Trump received a warm reception from union workers outside his Manhattan trial, with one worker noting that many on the construction sites are staunch Trump supporters.
Democrats are hitting the panic button. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota warned his fellow Democrats that their longstanding affiliation with union leaders is not translating into electoral support from union workers. This revelation underscores a broader issue for Biden, who is losing support across several key demographics, including black voters, Hispanic voters, and young voters, all of whom are showing unprecedented shifts towards Donald Trump.
While some doubt that the Teamsters will ultimately endorse Trump, the mere possibility reflects a significant shift in union dynamics. The fact that union leadership is even entertaining the idea suggests they are aware of their members’ strong support for the 45th president. This potential realignment could have major implications for the upcoming election and signals a need for Democrats to reevaluate their strategies and reconnect with their traditional base.
