If Democrats can learn from the Trump School of Rock, they just might win
"Kamala and the Dems" are suddenly surging, filling stadiums with their chart-topping debut. But are they a one-hit wonder?
Harris experienced a similar surge when she was first announced in 2020 as President Biden's running mate, only to see her popularity wane. In contrast, Donald Trump's continuous dominance of his party and the news cycle has baffled critics for years.
His secret? By applying rock and roll techniques that installed Mick Jagger, Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift in the hearts of their countless fans, Trump has embedded himself permanently, like Elvis, in the bedrock of America.
The Harris-Walz team is on fire but must keep the hits coming. Adopting a few techniques from Trump’s School of Rock could unlock the secret to winning elections for decades to come.
The first lesson is to start with three words. Powerful three-word phrases often anchor hit songs: "Light My Fire," "Start Me Up," "Born to Run," "Shake It Off." These catchy, compact phrases are more than just lyrics; they're chants, sound bites and slogans that become part of the American psyche, far deeper than policy proclamations. Might "I Like Ike" be the best campaign slogan ever?
Trump has mastered this art with hits like "Build the Wall," "Drain the Swamp," "Lock Her Up," and "Stop the Steal." These are the former president’s hits — and his fans won’t let him leave before he plays each one.
In contrast, the Harris team has chosen less rhythmic slogans like "We are not going back!" and "When we fight, we win!" These longer phrases could be simplified into catchy and versatile three-word chants like "Won't Go Back!" and "Fight to Win!"
The second lesson is that repetition isn't just a musical technique — it's a powerful tool in messaging. Paul McCartney's "Let It Be" repeats the title 41 times. Similarly, the "I Have a Dream" speech is unforgettable in part because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. repeated it eight times, hammering it into the soul of America.
Critics often mistake Trump’s tendency to repeat phrases with minor variations as word salad — but it isn't.
Harris's speeches are often linear, moving from one point to the next without providing the chorus fans crave. Clever speechwriting can wedge a phrase into the public mind, but repetition inks the pages of history.
The third lesson is that rock stars, and all great communicators, aren't born; they evolve. In fact, Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign ignited when a chance encounter with a passionate supporter sparked the chant, "Fired Up – Ready to Go." The former president’s most famous speech credits this James Brown-style call-and-response as the spark that saved his struggling campaign. Stagecraft matters.
Imagine if Harris adapted Obama's chant, prompting audiences with 'Fired Up?' and hearing them roar back, 'Ready to Vote!' The result? The energy in the room would double, as would the media coverage. It’s like the chorus of a great rock anthem — giving people what they crave, making them part of something bigger, and gifting Harris a replicable hook at every campaign stop."
The fourth lesson, which, Concert promoters understand, is that every hat and t-shirt sold deepens fan loyalty, generates revenue, and turns supporters into walking advertisements for years. Trump has masterfully positioned himself as a rock star, leveraging a robust line of merchandise that intertwines his image with America's most potent brand symbol: the American Flag.
It's time for Democrats to reclaim the flag. After all, it's the emblem to which the nation pledges allegiance daily.
Despite the progress Harris has made, polls remain tight. For Harris to win in November, she must turn uncommitted voters into raving fans while igniting her base.
Rock and roll holds the answer.
Mike Song is an award-winning singer, guitarist, songwriter, and alumnus of the band All the Voices. Co-author of the best-selling The Hamster Revolution, he is a blogger and business consultant who specializes in public speaking and digital proficiency.