Democratic rebuttal

Spanberger delivers a Democratic rebuttal centered on cost of living

The newly elected Virginia governor asked Americans if they feel Trump is “working to make life more affordable.”

Aaron Pellish

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger made the president’s handling of the economy and its aggressive immigration enforcement the center of her rebuttal on Tuesday.

Spanberger, a former House Democrat and rising star in the party following her gubernatorial victory last year, opened her remarks by asking viewers whether they felt the president was addressing their core needs.

“Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?” she said, speaking from Williamsburg, Virginia.

She argued no, pointing to Trump’s efforts to implement sweeping global tariffs, the instances of federal immigration agents killing American citizens, and the escalating tensions with nuclear powers like Iran, Russia and China.

Spanberger’s response mimics the playbook Democrats are hoping to follow to score victories in November’s midterms. Her focus on affordability highlights an issue that has plagued Trump for months, and his polling on immigration his hit record lows in recent weeks. Democratic leadership sought to project Spanberger’s forward-looking vision to voters, even as some progressive pushed for stronger acts of anti-Trump defiance at competing response events in D.C. Tuesday evening.

The governor contrasted Trump’s record with the Democratic brand, pointing to her own election, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s victory and other Democratic wins in downballot races over the past 12 months.

“Those who are stepping up now to run will win in November, because Americans, you at home, know you can demand more and that we are working to lower costs,” she said. “We are working to keep our communities and our country safe, and we are working for you.”