For much of the 20th century, local journalism was the lifeblood of rural communities in America. Family-owned newspapers and small-town radio stations kept residents informed about government decisions, community events, and local schools. These outlets not only provided critical information but also fostered a sense of identity and connection within communities. However, the decline of local journalism in rural America has contributed to a growing sense of physical and geographical disconnect, leaving many feeling isolated from broader national and global narratives.

In America’s rural heartlands, the rise of conspiratorial thinking isn’t just a modern phenomenon—it’s rooted in a long history of mistrust and alienation that has grown in intensity over decades. Today, this distrust is amplified by modern technology and the systemic neglect of rural communities, leaving these regions vulnerable to the spread of misinformation and deeply entrenched narratives of “us versus them.”

For decades, the Democratic Party has touted itself as the champion of the working class, the defender of the downtrodden, and the party of every corner of America. But if you step into many rural communities today, you’d be hard-pressed to find much evidence of that. The truth is, the Democratic Party’s gradual abandonment of rural America—both in representation and campaign support—has fueled the urban-rural divide we see today. And the cost isn’t just electoral; it’s the fracturing of our shared national identity.