A few thoughts.
The Dems "Big Tent" gives them a broad and diverse voting base, but it's clear that loudly progressing the platform of every demographic within that base does not resonate with those outside the tent. I thought it was absurd that the only ads Ted Cruz ran were about trans bullshit and "men playing in women's sports". I thought, "there's no way people really give a shit about this, right?" But boy was I wrong. They polled prospective voters and those voters said "we're tired of this shit." They knew what they were doing, and it worked. Identity Politics is a losing game. The path forward to protect and expand the rights for marginalized groups will probably require first obtaining a political mandate by gaining the public's trust on handling the meat-and-potatoes issues that do resonate with the broader electorate, and then passing legislation enshrining those rights for marginalized groups, even if the general public isn't necessarily comfortable with it. Dems need to stick to the meat and potatoes issues that resonate with voters and tune out the social issues that give middle America the ick. Jobs, economy, diplomacy. It sucks, but it's true.
My very real concerns about Trump's legislative and personal-retribution agenda are somewhat mitigated by the fact that he's too fucking lazy to do any real work, although spite is a great motivator. My concerns is who will be the person(s) setting and executing the legislative agenda. Donald Trump is not a fascist because of his political philosophy. Donald Trump has no philosophy. He's a political nihilist. (I mean, say what you will about the tenets of national socialism. At least it's an ethos) He will support anything that he believes is popular and will get people to vote for him. He's the very definition of a puppet. The question then becomes, who is he going to let put their hand up his ass and make him dance?
But he is a fascist in the sense that he believes the presidency gives him absolute authority. And his stacking of the Supreme Court and their ruling that the executive office is immune to prosecution only reaffirms that belief. How motivated will be to go after his enemies, and what will that look like? I truly don't know.
I'm also very nervous about diplomacy. This man is so unstable. It's terrifying that he could literally order a nuclear attack at any time. Also, hey Ukraine - you're fucked. You should probably start walking west if you live there.
As a straight white man, I try to reflect upon, appreciate and understand the incredible privilege with which I've been blessed. My life wasn't dramatically impacted by the first Trump presidency. And if my daughter were to need access to exercise what I believe is her right to get an abortion, we have the means to facilitate that. But I do feel for marginalized groups that will be affected by those setting the legislative agenda. Buckle up buttercup. It's gonna be a terrible fucking ride. It'll be like when those people boarded an architectural boat tour in Chicago on August 8th 2004 only to have Dave Matthews Band's tour bus dump 800 pounds of human waste all over them as the bus passed over the Kinzie Street bridge.