Fact Check: MILLIONS of liberals are now planning for a 'Blackout Day' to protest Trump.. They will be skipping work and not spending money, in an attempt to crash the economy.

Fact-Check Article: "Millions of liberals are now planning for a 'Blackout Day' to protest Trump. They will be skipping work and not spending money, in an attempt to crash the economy."

What We Know

The claim regarding a "Blackout Day" stems from a grassroots initiative led by an organization called People's Union USA, which encourages participants to refrain from spending money for a 24-hour period as a form of economic protest. This event is framed as an act of "economic resistance" against perceived negative influences from billionaires, corporations, and political parties on the lives of working Americans. The planned blackout is set to occur on February 28, 2025, starting at midnight and lasting until 11:59 PM EST (Associated Press).

The initiative has garnered attention on social media, with some individuals expressing their intent to participate by not shopping or spending money. However, reports indicate that the actual impact of this protest on retail sales is unclear, with market analysts suggesting that any decrease in consumer spending might not be significant (NBC New York).

Additionally, the founder of People's Union USA, John Schwarz, has a controversial background that includes a past criminal conviction, which has raised questions about the organization's credibility (Independent).

Analysis

The claim that "millions of liberals" are participating in this protest is somewhat exaggerated. While the event has gained traction on social media, there is no concrete evidence to support the assertion that millions are actively planning to skip work or participate in the boycott. Market research indicates that consumer behavior on the day of the protest may not significantly change, as noted by Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at Circana, who stated, “It doesn’t look like anybody’s really pulling back” (Associated Press).

The reliability of the sources discussing the protest varies. The Associated Press and NBC New York provide factual reporting on the event and its context, making them credible sources. In contrast, some more sensationalist outlets may amplify the scale of participation without substantial evidence. The grassroots nature of the protest means that while there is organization behind it, the actual turnout and impact remain speculative.

Furthermore, the protest's framing as a response to Trump's policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives aligns with broader movements against corporate policies perceived as regressive. However, the effectiveness of such boycotts historically varies, and experts suggest that while they can make a statement, they often do not lead to long-term economic changes (The Guardian).

Conclusion

The claim that "millions of liberals" are planning a "Blackout Day" to protest Trump is Partially True. While there is indeed a planned protest encouraging people to refrain from spending money, the actual number of participants and the potential economic impact remain uncertain. The grassroots nature of the initiative, combined with the lack of clear evidence regarding widespread participation, suggests that while the intent is real, the scale may be overstated.

Sources

1. Economic blackout: Will a 24-hour boycott make a difference?
2. Why some Americans won’t spend on Feb 28 in 24-hour ‘economic blackout’
3. ‘People's Sick Day’ set to cripple U.S. as Trump protesters plan economic blackout
4. What is Economic Blackout Day? 24-hour boycott urged
5. Trump protesters plan to cripple U.S. economy with 'People's Sick Day'
6. National no-spend 'Blackout' day targets Amazon, Walmart
7. ‘Hit them where it hurts’: Americans boycott corporations to protest anti-DEI policies
8. Activists urge Americans to halt all spending for a day in economic blackout protest