When Donald J. Trump decided to run for office in 2016, it became clear that America was tired of the same old elites running the show — the good ol’ boys club. He garnered support from “We the People” and grassroots organizations, reshaping the political landscape with a movement that rejected conventional power structures. His strategy was visionary and practical, capturing the spirit of an America ready for bold change. Now, Trump has built an unprecedented coalition that includes influential voices like RFK, Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Elon Musk — each uniting across ideological lines to back America’s future. This alliance brings together leaders from diverse backgrounds who recognize the importance of safeguarding American values and freedoms.
Today, we at America First Works (AFW) are proud to carry this legacy, building an on-the-ground, grassroots movement designed to redefine the Republican Party and secure a future where American values thrive.
In April 2024, AFW took a historic step forward. Recognizing the stakes of this pivotal election year, we called together the Nation’s most committed grassroots organizations from battleground states for a summit at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Our goal was simple: to build a coalition capable of securing victory in what we see as the most consequential election of our lifetimes.
AFW knows that no organization can shoulder this mission alone, but we are unstoppable. Each group — hunters, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Arab Americans, mothers, Asian Americans, Jewish Americans, faith leaders, and White men — brings unique strengths, deep community ties, and an unwavering commitment to conservative values.
The importance of each group cannot be overstated. Hunters contribute an intimate connection to our land and traditions, Black Americans bring a profound dedication to justice and equality, Hispanic Americans are grounded in faith and hard work, Arab Americans embody family unity, mothers carry a fierce instinct to protect the future of their children, Asian Americans emphasize education and resilience, Jewish Americans underscore the value of community and heritage, faith leaders anchor our mission in values, and White men bring a legacy of leadership and accountability. This level of unity is groundbreaking for the conservative movement and a testament to the New Republican Party’s embrace of the coalition that Donald J. Trump has brought together. It’s working — and the data confirms it.
Kamala Harris’s strategy aimed to lean heavily into race and gender. She focused her efforts on North Carolina and Georgia, states with significant Black American populations and a 10-point gender gap. But her policies, which have failed to deliver for every demographic, have backfired. With growing dissatisfaction among Black Americans, our Pathway Partnerships targeted key battlegrounds with a positive, unifying approach. Now, reports confirm that Harris has pulled funding from North Carolina, and her ground game is shrinking in Georgia. Our partnership with community-first groups like FDF has contributed to this dramatic shift. Support for Donald Trump among Black voters in six critical battleground states has surged to 25%, up from 12% in 2020 and 8% in 2016, marking a monumental change in alignment.
Since April, the strength of our “Pathway Partners” network has grown to more than 75 organizations, forming a coalition of unprecedented depth within the conservative movement. Together, we are setting a new standard for engagement and unity. We’ve achieved 37 data-sharing agreements, allowing us to connect with 2.9 million unique voters and complete over 5 million door-to-door visits. Our coalition is working in isolation and as a united front, effectively reaching voters in meaningful ways that inspire and mobilize. In this election cycle alone, we’ve sent 20 million text messages — not to ask for donations but to engage voters directly on the issues that matter to them. Through smart, targeted efforts, we’ve already turned out over 70,000 America First voters in Georgia and 26,000 in Arizona who didn’t vote in 2020 but already voted in 2024. In Nevada, America First voters lead in early voting by double digits.
Through Pathway Partnerships, we’ve been active in Wayne County, Michigan, from day one. By collaborating with Arab Americans for targeted door-knocking, we’ve engaged with 120,000 voters, revealing that 60% do not plan to support Harris, 56% are committed to voting for Trump, and 21% remain undecided. These insights reflect the strong, organized support and significant shifts in voter sentiment that our grassroots strategy is achieving.
By helping unite the movement, each group’s unique strengths were greatly enhanced. From the Frederick Douglass Foundation, Community First, Turning Point Action, American Principles Project, Moms for Liberty, American Christian Caucus, Asian Action Network, AMAC, Moms for America, Tea Party Patriots, First Liberty, Election Integrity Network, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Courage Tour, Citizens Alliance, and many more, the grassroots coalition came together with more precision and purpose than ever before.
With Donald Trump’s transformative vision as our foundation, AFW and our diverse coalition are driving a new era for the Republican Party — one grounded in unity, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to America’s future. Together, we are building a campaign and cementing a movement that will safeguard America’s values and ensure that freedom and opportunity endure for generations to come. This coalition is ready to lead, and we are prepared to secure a future that reflects the American people's strength, heritage, and hope.
Ashley Hayek is Executive Director of America First Works, former 2020 Trump Campaign Coalitions Director, and author of Beat the Elites.