Education scholar Julian Vasquez Heilig dissects some of Trump’s education strategy.
Trump’s verbal assaults and policy proposals often begin with an outrageous statement—something designed to provoke a strong reaction from the public and the press. This isn’t accidental; it’s a deliberate use of shock to dominate the media cycle and draw attention to issues he wants to reframe. In doing so, he leverages the “Overton Window,” a political concept that explains how public perception of what is acceptable can be moved over time. In Trump’s case, the initial shock is often so severe that any following proposal—no matter how harmful—appears comparatively moderate. It’s a psychological tactic pulled straight from the world of sales and influence, and it’s highly effective.
Nowhere is this more evident than in education policy. From threats to abolish the Department of Education to demands for “patriotic education,” Trump has set out to fundamentally reshape what schooling in America means and who it serves. He uses education as a cultural and political wedge—linking it to national identity, religious values, and fear of ideological “others.” In doing so, he mobilizes his base, demonizes dissent, and redefines the role of public education from a space of inquiry and inclusion to one of conformity and control. It’s not just a policy platform; it’s an ideological crusade.
Even when these proposals don’t immediately succeed legislatively, they still achieve a secondary—and arguably more dangerous—goal: shifting the public conversation. By constantly pressing extreme views into the mainstream, Trump drags the political center toward his ideological edge. Conversations that once focused on increasing funding for schools now revolve around banning books and gutting DEI programs. Debates over college affordability are replaced by accusations of Marxist indoctrination in universities. And while educators and advocates are busy defending against the latest outrage, the broader infrastructure of public education is quietly eroded.
Understanding Trump’s rhetorical and policy strategies is essential not just for political observers, but for educators, parents, students, and advocates who are fighting to protect democratic learning spaces. This is not simply about Trump the individual—it’s about a model of governance and media manipulation that could define the future of American education if left unchallenged. In this post, l will explore how Trump is using the Overton Window, sales-based persuasion techniques, and media manipulation to reshape education policy—and what that means for the struggle for equity and truth in America’s schools.