Rick Wilson, a conservative strategist and co-founder of the Lincoln Project, has issued a stark warning about the potential fallout for Donald Trump among his voter base. In a recent video posted to his Substack platform, Wilson argued that many Trump supporters are experiencing a rude awakening as the president delivers on his so-called ‘slash-and-burn mandate’—a directive that many believed would target only certain federal programs but is now threatening critical social safety nets.
During his victory speech in November, Trump declared, ‘America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,’ referencing his campaign promises to overhaul federal agencies. Since then, the administration has taken aggressive action, including allowing Elon Musk to significantly alter federal operations. One of the most controversial moves has been Musk’s suggestion to cut $700 billion from Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential programs—a move that many voters did not anticipate.
Wilson pointed out that these cuts are directly conflicting with the expectations of Trump’s base, who believed their priorities would be protected. He referenced comments made by Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist, who had previously criticized such drastic reductions, further highlighting the growing tension within conservative circles.
The situation has left many voters feeling betrayed. They believed Trump’s rhetoric about protecting Medicare and Medicaid, but now face the reality of significant cuts that could severely impact their lives. Wilson warned that this disconnect between promises and actions could have serious consequences for Trump’s political future, potentially alienating a core constituency.
As the administration continues to push forward with these changes, the question remains: will Trump’s base stand by him despite these unexpected developments, or will they turn against him in growing numbers?