Today, the DNC released a new mini-documentary featuring multi-generational South Dakota family farmers Charlie Johnson, Shane Merrill, and Frank Kloucek, who share their stories of how hard farming has become for them under Donald Trump’s disastrous trade war. The documentary captures the impacts of Trump’s “America Last” agenda that has wrecked the U.S. economy, tipped the agricultural sector into recession, and put family farms on the brink of bankruptcy. 

Trump’s trade war has locked farmers out of markets completely, causing family farms to go bankrupt at the fastest pace in five years alongside record-high farm debt. Even though Trump touted an agreement between the U.S. and China that was supposed to ease the trade standoff, China’s purchases of American soybeans have stalled, meaning soybean farmers are still suffering. And as Argentina undercuts U.S. farmers in the global marketplace, Trump is bailing out their economy, trying to funnel $40 billion overseas. 

Meanwhile, American farmers and families are being sold out in Trump’s economy. Millions of everyday Americans are struggling with skyrocketing prices and disappearing jobs while Trump builds a $350 million gilded ballroom for himself and his wealthy donors. Trump promised, “America First,” but time and again, he has put American families and farmers last.

WATCH the mini-documentary:

DNC Deputy Executive Director Libby Schneider released the following statement:

“Donald Trump has abandoned and betrayed American farmers — including people like Charlie, Shane, and Frank who are living the consequences of his reckless trade war. Farmers across the country are being pushed to the brink — struggling to sell their crops because Trump’s reckless trade war has locked them out of markets that may never come back. And while American farmers and consumers pay the price, Trump is funneling billions of dollars to bail out Argentina and helping other countries undercut our farmers and ranchers — a slap in the face to the people who feed this country and fuel our rural economy. Trump will always put himself first and American families and farmers last — and he’s made it abundantly clear that he won’t hesitate to sell out America if it means padding the pockets of his billionaire buddies.”