Introduction
What if Trump (or Harris) wins? is a book and a “pick-your-own-pathway” activity to help you prepare to resist authoritarianism and protect democracy. It has been released in June 2024 in the lead up to the election in November 2024 between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
The goal of this pathway adventure is to pivot away from just what might Trump do — and towards the question: What will you do?
What Can I Do?
The reality is few of us think we can “stop Trump.” We may vote. Angst. And then what? Sadly, our teachers and media do us no favors in terms of teaching the strategies for resistance. Media might tell you things are bad — but rare is the article that helps you answer “what can I do?”
I hope this adventure supports you, even a little, to think that what action you may take. I want you to envision helping neighbors seeking political shelter — fundraising for your local election protection organizations — or, yes, joining and even leading wildcat strikes.
There are many, many roles in social resistance. If any version of these events comes to be, there will be an abundant number of needs. You will be needed. This adventure explores a couple major approaches.
Approaches
Two approaches I urge against are staying purely in a reactive mode and actions that only express opinions — posting on social media or marching in the street. These can grow our confidence, but alone they build no political power to change the course of things. Please don’t get me wrong — these can be helpful tactics in the mix. But a resistance movement that’s too reliant on these approaches will be quickly devastated.
Four approaches that do help are:
- Folks who defend existing institutions
- Folks who protect folks who are being targeted
- Folks who envision and create alternative institutions
- Folks who engage in strategic civil disobedience
Start with the Book or the Interactive online pick your own path adventure.
Book
What if Trump Wins? An Interactive Pick your Path Adventure
Explore the world of “what if” with this interactive pick-your-own-path adventure. Your character helps grow the resistance. Can you guide us towards a better, more humane democracy? Featuring 150+ color pages and 25+ different endings — plus a secret bonus ending.
Pick your Path
Start Pick your own Path Adventure
Explore the world of “what if” with this interactive pick-your-own-path adventure. Your character helps grow the resistance. Can you guide us towards a better, more humane democracy? Here is sneak peak of your adventure and the choices you can make.
Group Scenario Planning Tools
This resource prepares organizations emotionally and practically for a world in which Trump is elected president again this November 2024. In it, your group explores detailed scenarios for what might happen if Trump is elected, to step into how those scenarios might feel, and to experiment with ways they — the group — might show up to those possible futures, together. The tools include Scenario Game Slides and a Facilitators Guide.
More Resources from Choose Democracy
- What’s the game plan if Trump really does try to steal the election? 7 tactics to stop a coup, by Daniel Hunter
- 10 things you need to know to stop a coup, by Daniel Hunter
- How to face right-wing violence while defending the election — a conversation with George Lakey
- Mass direct action might be the only way to stop Trump from stealing the election, by George Lakey
- The Authoritarian Playbook for 2025, United to Protect Democracy
How an authoritarian president will dismantle our democracy. This is the guidebook to understand Trump’s plans and those of Project 2025 if Trump wins the Presidential Election. - American Autocracy Threat Tracker: A Comprehensive Catalog Based on Donald Trump and His Associates’ Plans, Promises, and Propositions
What has Trump been saying? A tracker that’s kept up-to-date of his thinking. - How Far Trump Would Go
“Donald Trump thinks he’s identified a crucial mistake of his first term: He was too nice…” - Combatting Authoritarianism: The Skills and Infrastructure Needed to Organize Across Difference
A helpful short article about some of the different skills needed for building an anti-authority movement. - Is Democracy at Risk? A Lesson Plan for U.S. and Global History Classes
This lesson from 2018 can be adapted for use in social studies, history and civics classes. A good starting pointing for teachers — mix and match activities and resources depending on what you’re teaching and why. - Interview with Ivan Marovic: Overcoming despair and apathy to win democracy
Lessons on movement building from one of the founders of the Serbian student movement that brought down dictator Slobodan Milosevic. - Bringing Down a Dictator
Bringing Down A Dictator is a 56-minute documentary about the nonviolent defeat of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. It focuses on the contributions of the student-led Otpor! movement. - To Stop Trump Stealing the Election, Democrats Must Do These 3 Things, by Zack Malitz, Brandon Evans and Becky Bond
- Transition Integrity Project Report
Review of multiple scenarios on possible disrupted Presidential elections by election experts. Their conclusion? “A show of numbers in the streets — and actions in the streets — may be decisive factors.” - Preparing for a November Surprise, by Erica Chenoweth
About Choose Democracy
In 2020, a tiny group of us started Choose Democracy, which predicted and prepared to resist an active coup. We regrouped in 2024 because of the need. The key creatives of the book are Daniel Hunter (author) and Elizabeth Beier (artist). We’re lovingly held by a team of experts and supporters including the core team at Choose Democracy (George, Jennifer, Sam, Katey). You can read more on the Choose Democracy – About Us page.
Explore Further
- Democracy Resource Hub
- Democracy Undone: The Authoritarian’s Playbook
- 1/6: The Graphic Novel: What if the Attack on the U.S. Capitol Succeeded?
- Block, Bridge and Build: Playbook for an Inclusive Multi-Racial Democracy
- Fixing our Democracies and Winning Elections in the Age of Junk Politics: A Guide to Transformational Campaigning
- Overcoming Despair and Apathy to Win Democracy
- The Authoritarian Playbook: How Reporters can Contextualize and Cover Authoritarian Threats as Distinct from Politics-as-Usual
- Authoritarianism: How You Know It When You See It
- Hold the Line: A Guide to Defending Democracy
- Building a Resiliency Network: A Toolkit for Building Community Resilience during a Contentious Election Cycle
