It was a Monday night like no other on December 2, 2025, as former President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of more than 160 posts on his social media platform, igniting controversy, fueling partisan tensions, and drawing the nation’s attention to a new front in the battle over American democracy. Among the barrage of reposts, video clips, and commentary, one particular claim stood out: an unverified allegation that former First Lady Michelle Obama had improperly used a presidential autopen to sign pardons and executive actions in the waning days of her husband’s administration. The video, originally circulated by Alex Jones—a figure well-known for his incendiary style—was amplified by Trump’s own online megaphone. Yet, as major news outlets like The Washington Post and Democracy Docket have emphasized, there is no credible evidence to support the notion that Michelle Obama ever wielded the autopen or participated in pardon proceedings.
Trump’s social media offensive did not stop at the former first lady. The posts, which spanned from 7 p.m. to midnight EST, included pointed attacks on President Joe Biden, various Democratic leaders, and a host of media personalities. Interspersed among the political broadsides were nostalgic and lighter moments—such as a holiday-themed video highlighting Trump’s cameo in the classic film “Home Alone 2” and a heartfelt post praising his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump. But the night’s digital spectacle was only the latest in a series of escalating confrontations playing out across the American political landscape.
On December 3, the spotlight shifted to Missouri, where the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., took to social media to target Richard Von Glahn, the executive director of People Not Politicians. Trump Jr. accused Von Glahn of trying to “steal” a GOP House seat through what he called an unlawful referendum. “Leftist nut job Richard Von Glahn is trying to STEAL a GOP house seat in Missouri through an unlawful referendum,” Trump Jr. posted, linking to a volunteer site for the group Patriot Grassroots. The message, as reported by Democracy Docket, was part of a broader Republican effort to pressure and intimidate those organizing a statewide vote aimed at overturning a gerrymandered congressional map.
Von Glahn, undeterred by the online attacks, responded forcefully. “Our democracy is ours. It isn’t theirs,” he told Democracy Docket, making clear that neither he nor the thousands of Missourians supporting the ballot initiative would be cowed by threats or disparagement. “We’re not going to be bullied by these people,” Von Glahn added. “It’s not going to happen.” His comments echoed a growing sentiment among grassroots organizers who see the referendum not as a partisan ploy, but as a defense of the state’s democratic process. “Missouri’s congressional seats belong to the people of Missouri. That is the point. Our democracy is ours. It isn’t theirs. We’re not taking anything. We are protecting our voice and our power.”
The stakes are high. The citizen’s veto referendum, led by People Not Politicians, seeks to overturn a congressional map pushed through the Missouri legislature in September 2025 at the behest of President Trump. Critics argue the map was drawn to cement Republican dominance in the state’s congressional delegation ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterm elections. To qualify for the ballot, Von Glahn and his allies must submit more than 106,000 signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office by December 11—a daunting task, but one that organizers say is well within reach, with nearly 300,000 signatures expected to be turned in.
The fight over Missouri’s maps is just one flashpoint in a wave of redistricting battles sweeping the nation. The Republican Party, determined to maintain its grip on power in key states, has launched a multipronged campaign to undermine the referendum. Tactics have included efforts to reject signatures, propose confusing or misleading ballot language, challenge the very right of Missourians to hold the vote, and even send intimidating mass text messages warning voters against signing the petition. Most recently, as Democracy Docket reports, Republicans initiated an investigation into the firm hired to gather signatures, accusing it—again, without evidence—of employing undocumented immigrants.
These maneuvers, according to Von Glahn and other advocates, are designed to sow fear and confusion, suppress turnout, and delegitimize the grassroots movement. Yet, as Von Glahn pointed out in his remarks, the campaign is much bigger than any one individual. “I am irrelevant to this campaign,” he said. “There are thousands of Missourians volunteering, talking to one another. My signature is going to be one of nearly 300,000 that get turned in next week.”
Missouri is not alone in facing such high-stakes political drama. In Indiana, redistricting tensions reached a boiling point in recent weeks. A group of six Republican lawmakers who resisted Trump’s call to gerrymander their state’s maps reportedly faced threats and harassment. Ultimately, GOP leaders relented and convened to approve a new map, one that is likely to eliminate two congressional districts currently held by Democrats. The fallout was swift: on December 3, Indiana State Senator Kyle Walker—one of the Republicans who had come under fire—announced he would not seek reelection in 2026. The move underscored the intense pressure and personal risk faced by those who break ranks in today’s hyperpolarized environment.
Back in Washington, the swirl of misinformation and personal attacks continues to shape the national conversation. Trump’s overnight social media blitz—replete with unsubstantiated claims about Michelle Obama and a steady drumbeat of attacks on political opponents—reflects a broader strategy of using viral content and provocative rhetoric to energize his base and keep critics on the defensive. According to The Washington Post, the former president’s posts mixed nostalgia and grievance, celebration and accusation, in a style that has become his trademark since leaving office.
For many observers, the events of early December 2025 highlight the precarious state of American democracy. Efforts to redraw congressional maps, intimidate activists, and spread false claims about political adversaries signal a willingness by some factions to bend or break longstanding norms in pursuit of electoral advantage. At the same time, grassroots organizers and ordinary citizens are pushing back, determined to ensure that the rules of the game remain fair—and that the voices of voters are not drowned out by partisan maneuvering or online vitriol.
As Missouri’s referendum deadline approaches and redistricting fights play out in legislatures across the country, the outcome remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the battle for the future of American democracy is being waged not just in courtrooms and capitols, but in the digital arena and on the streets, where everyday people are making their voices heard.
In a season marked by both celebration and conflict, the fundamental questions of who gets to draw the lines—and who gets to vote—are once again at the center of the nation’s story.
