The Democrats are standing with America’s farmers amid Donald Trump’s devastating trade war that’s screwing them over, putting the agricultural sector into recession, and wrecking the U.S. economy.
This week, the DNC released a new ad featuring John Bartman — a fifth-generation Illinois soybean farmer — who shares his personal story and underscores the devastating impacts farmers are facing because of Trump’s disastrous economic policies. The ads target vulnerable House Republicans in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Kentucky.
The DNC also hosted a press call this week featuring Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, DNC Deputy Executive Director Libby Schneider, and Bartman to hold Trump accountable for his unhinged trade war and his “America Last” bailout for Argentina’s economy — on the same day that Argentine President Javier Milei met with Trump at the White House to discuss the $20 billion bailout.
Take a look at some of the coverage below:
In Print
USA Today: US soybean crisis is a ‘man-made disaster caused by’ Trump. And farmers know it. | Opinion
[Chris Brennan 10/15/2025]
“John Bartman was where he wanted to be on Oct. 14 – but not doing what he wanted to be doing – while sitting on the tractor his grandfather purchased in 1965, on the Illinois farm his family has worked for five generations.
“Bartman wanted to be harvesting his soybeans – Illinois ranks first among American states in land dedicated to that crop – and selling them to China. Instead, he was using his phone to speak in a Zoom meeting arranged by the Democratic National Committee.
“‘Let’s be clear: This is a man-made disaster caused by Donald Trump and his administration,’ Bartman said as soybean farmers across America, in the middle of their annual harvest, have anxiously watched their biggest market vanish.”
Washington Examiner: Democrats flip ‘America First’ script on GOP over Argentina bailout
[David Sivak, 10/15/2025]
“Democrats are using a $20 billion lifeline to Argentina to claim Republicans care more about bailing out foreign governments than helping Americans at home.
“The messaging, a riff on President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ policy agenda, intensified ahead of a White House visit by Argentinian President Javier Milei on Tuesday, where Trump said the United States would ‘be there’ for Argentina, so long as Milei succeeds in midterm elections set to take place later this month.
“Democrats have variously framed the bailout as an affront to American farmers, as Argentina sells its soybean crops at ‘manipulative prices’ to China, as well as average voters who fear rising healthcare costs.”
Forbes: Trump’s Trade War Upends Soybean Market With No Aid In Sight
[Chloe Sorvino, 10/15/2025]
“The Democratic National Committee is also picking up on the discontent, and Politico’s Morning Ag notes that this week the party is rolling out ‘a five-figure ad campaign that will target a dozen red Midwestern districts on YouTube TV and other streaming services’ ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The 30-second video showcases Illinois soybean farmer John Bartman, who talks about the realities of how tariffs are impacting his livelihood, and says: ‘We don’t want a bailout. We want a market. Bailouts are band-aids. What he is doing is destroying our markets. And when those markets disappear, we are not going to get them back.’”
Spectrum News: Democrats launch ads attacking Trump over soybean crisis facing farmers
[Cassie Semyon, 10/14/2025]
“The Democratic National Committee is launching a campaign-style advertisement Tuesday that attacks President Donald Trump for the financial pain his tariff policies are causing soybean farmers.
“Beginning Tuesday, the 30-second spot, first obtained by Spectrum News, will appear on YouTube and streaming platforms such as Hulu. It features John Bartman of Marengo, Illinois, a fifth-generation farmer, who says soybean farmers ‘don’t want a bailout. We want a market.’
“The DNC’s five-figure ad buy is timed to coincide with the visit of Argentinian President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, to the White House, as the administration is expected to aid the financially struggling country. In a post on X last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the U.S. would directly purchase Argentine pesos and undertake a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina’s central bank.
“Democrats have railed against the decision, and even some of Trump’s fellow Republicans have raised questions about his decision to help a country that competes with U.S. soybean farmers. China has purchased a large volume of soybeans from Argentina this year while icing out American farmers because of Trump’s tariff policies.”
Politico Weekly Agriculture: Dems’ soybean blitz
[Grace Yarrow, 10/14/2025]
“Democrats are launching an agriculture-centered opening argument ahead of the midterm campaign season, slamming Trump’s tariffs for hurting soybean producers and other farmers who have traditionally backed the president.
“The Democratic National Committee is rolling out a five-figure ad campaign that will target a dozen red Midwestern districts on YouTube TV and other streaming services.
“The 30-second video features Illinois soybean producer John Bartman, who explains that Trump’s tariffs have put a ‘major strain’ on farmers who rely on exporting to countries like China.
“Argentina controversy: The messaging surrounding the ad campaign also capitalizes on recent events that angered many soybean farmers: the Trump administration’s promise to bail out Argentina and reports within hours that the South American country had sold 20 shiploads of soybeans to China — a key market for U.S. soy producers that’s been eliminated since May.”
Channel3000: DNC chair looks to connect with Wisconsin farmers in push to flip rural districts
[Kyle Jones, 10/14/2025]
“The DNC on Tuesday began a new ad push targeting Rep. Derrick Van Orden (Dist. 3) and Rep. Bryan Steil (Dist. 1) for their support of tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump that are hurting Wisconsin farmers. China has stopped importing American soybeans because of the tariffs.
“‘Most soybean farmers now in this country have no market to trade, and they’re left with these crops that are rotting and no sense of how they’re going to actually afford their bills,’ Martin said. ‘What we’re seeing is so many of those families being squeezed out now because Donald Trump doesn’t understand basic economics.’
“Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows farm production expenses are expected to rise $12 billion from last year. Soybean farmers, in particular, have taken a hit because of trade issues with China. The American Soybean Association said last month that China was turning to Argentina for the crop instead.
“Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is providing Argentina with a $20 billion currency swap in order to stave off a financial crisis in the South American nation.”
WIS Politics: DNC ad targets Steil, Van Orden over tariffs
[10/15/2025]
“The DNC has launched a new ad hitting GOP U.S. Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden on tariffs and their impact on farmers.
“The ad features Illinois soybean farmer John Bartman.
“‘Farming’s hard enough as it is this year, especially because of the tariffs that have been put upon us. This is really putting a major strain on all farmers right now,’ Bartman says. ‘We don’t want a bailout, we want a market. Bailouts are BandAids. What he is doing is destroying our markets, and when those markets disappear, we’re not going to get them back.’
“The spot will target farmers and ‘rural persuadable voters’ in the 1st and 3rd CDs, running on farmer-focused YouTube and TV channels. A DNC spokesperson said the ad is part of a five-figure buy.”
Minnesota Reformer: Walz, other Dems criticize Trump over trade war’s impact on soy farmers
[Madison McVan, 10/14/2025]
“President Donald Trump’s trade war is having devastating consequences for soybean farmers, and Gov. Tim Walz joined other national Democratic leaders on a call Tuesday to highlight the story of one Illinois farmer whose business model is under threat from tariffs and international retaliation.
“‘It’s going to take us years to get these markets back,’ Walz said Tuesday, calling on Trump to walk back his tariffs.
[…]
“The Trump administration is considering a multibillion dollar bailout for American soy farmers, similar to how his administration handled the first trade war.
“But soy farmers have insisted that a check won’t make up for the lost marketing opportunities.
“‘We don’t want a bailout. We want markets for our crops,’ said John Bartman, a corn and soybean farmer in Illinois.
“Bartman is featured in a new Democratic political ad, part of a new ad campaign targeting red districts in the Midwest.
“Tuesday’s press call coincided with Trump’s meeting with Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Trump has promised a $20 billion bailout of Argentina’s economy — which stands to benefit many Trump administration allies — drawing even more ire from the soybean industry and some Republicans.”
The Fence Post: Dems criticize Trump on trade as he meets with Millei of Argentina
[Jerry Hagstrom, 10/15/2025]
“Three Democrats — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Sharice Davids, and Illinois farmer John Bartman — held a video news conference Tuesday to criticize President Trump’s trade policy that has led China to boycott U.S. soybeans, and urged Congress to come back to Washington to open the government and develop an aid package for farmers this fall.
[…]
“Walz said the Republicans are engaged in ‘the undermining of the rural economy in general,’ with rural hospitals not getting the federal aid they need and the Education Department not funding programs that give people ‘the opportunity to succeed.’
“Davids said tariffs ‘can be a useful tool when they are used responsibly,’ but that the Trump administration is taking a ‘reckless approach.’
“She added that tariffs are raising the cost of inputs farmers need to import.
“‘American farmers are caught in the middle,’ Davids said. ‘Some farmers are talking about reducing production or considering switching crops while others are talking about selling equipment,’ she said.
“Bartman said ‘farmers don’t like to talk politics,’ but ‘I saw the effects of bad agricultural policy in the Reagan years.’
“‘Let’s be clear — this is a man-made disaster caused by Trump and his administration,’ Bartman said.”
WJFW: Farmers struggling with Trump administration’s trade war
[Christopher Bushong, 10/14/2025]
“China is now buying soybeans from Argentina, the same country the Trump administration agreed to send $20 billion to.
“This has upset farmers like John Bartman, owner of Bartman Farm in Illinois.
“‘MAGA now stands for Make Argentina Great Again,’ Bartman said.
“According to the University of Illinois, the average grain farmer will lose about $100 per acre this year.
“‘Why? Because there’s nearly one billion… one billion, bushels of soybeans that don’t have a home right now,’ Bartman said.
“The Trump administration is considering giving $10- to $15 billion in aid to American farmers, but Bartman says that’s not the answer he was hoping for.
“‘A bailout is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound,’ Bartman said. ‘Government bailout does not make up for our loss of income. We don’t want a bailout — we want markets for our crops.’”
The Fiscal Times: Democrats Blast Trump’s $20 Billion Argentina Bailout
[Yuval Rosenberg, 10/14/2025]
“Democrats have blasted the bailout, using it to mock Trump’s ‘America First’ promises and attack the administration for the government shutdown. ‘I have just one question,’ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. ‘If this administration has $20 billion to spare for a MAGA-friendly foreign government, how can they say we don’t have the money to lower healthcare costs here at home?’
“Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts on Tuesday sought unanimous consent to pass the ‘No Argentina Bailout Act.’ When her request was blocked by Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Warren unleashed a tirade against the administration.
“‘Even while the Trump administration is trying to fire more people and shut down more services, Trump is carefully keeping open the office at the Treasury Department responsible for executing his bailout of Argentina’s financial markets,’ Warren said. ‘For Trump, the leader of Argentina is more important than American families struggling with rising costs for health care.’”
Red River Farm Network: DNC Ads Target Farm Vote Ahead of Midterms
[10/14/2025]
“The Democratic National Committee is targeting 11 House districts now represented by Republicans for an ad campaign. According to Politico, the ads focus on the Trump Administration’s tariff strategy and the impact on soybean farmers. This is one of the DNC’s first major ad buys ahead of the midterm elections.”
Iowa News Now: DNC Chair says Democrats plan to be competitive in Iowa despite caucus uncertainty
[Skylar Tallal, 10/15/2025]
“National Democrats launched more political ads targeting Congressional Republicans Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson and Zach Nunn.
“The ad criticizes President Donald Trump’s trade policy and tariffs and will run on farmer focused YouTube and TV channels.
“‘The reality is, is these Republicans are complicit,’ Ken Martin the DNC Chair said.
“‘They could stand up to Donald Trump right now and tell him to end these tariffs and to actually open the markets around the world to create trading partners for your number one industry which is agriculture.’”
On Broadcast
MSNBC: “We told you earlier about how Donald Trump hosted the right-wing president of Argentina at the White House to discuss a $20 billion U.S. bailout to that country amidst a growing farm crisis here at home. And so the Democratic National Committee released a new ad about how Trump’s trade war is hurting farmers.”
CNN: Rep. Sharice Davids: “Farmers like a lot of Kansans right now are actually struggling to make ends meet. You know, folks are struggling with higher costs on everything from gas to groceries, and farmers have been dealing with higher input prices. You know, things like fertilizer and seeds and that sort of thing, and the uncertainty that has been caused by Trump’s, frankly, reckless approach to tariff policy has only exacerbated all of those issues. We’ve got farmers, especially, you know, Kansas is one of the highest, producing and exporting states for soybeans, and right now, you know, even though we absolutely need to be competitive with China, but they are a huge consumer of Kansas soybeans and markets, it takes it takes sometimes decades to build up these markets and just like that Donald Trump has called into question the ability of so many of US farmers, including Kansas farmers, to be able to sell their products internationally.”
CNN: “Soybean farmers across the United States are grappling with higher costs and lower demand as a result of President Trump’s ongoing trade wars. Rather than pay the increased prices with tariffs, major markets such as China are looking elsewhere for the commodity — in countries in South America. While they seem more than happy to step in and fill the void, that includes countries such as Argentina, whose president met with Trump just yesterday to discuss a possible $20 billion bailout — a move that farmers say will directly benefit their competition overseas. […] John Bartman is a soybean farmer whose family has been working Illinois land since before the Civil War. Here in Marengo, a farming community where the land and sky feel endless, John sees a crisis on the horizon.”
KMSP (FOX): “Governor Walz today blasting President Trump’s trade policy, saying they are devastating America’s farmers. His remarks came as part of a weekly media call with the Democratic National Committee. […] In fact, tomorrow, Governor Walz will visit a soybean farm in southern Minnesota to keep highlighting this issue — one that Democrats say is a devastating trade policy and one that bailouts for farmers won’t fix. ‘What we’re asking for is end these trade wars, give our farmers an opportunity to succeed.’ And Governor Walz, his words were very pointed, saying American farmers, particularly soybean farmers, are in deep trouble. Tariffs placed on China are the reason all of those things are at threat because of Donald Trump’s ego. ‘This is a ridiculous trade war. And as you heard it laid out, you couldn’t write this and be more messed up than putting these tariffs on — putting our farmers at risk, our family farms at risk.’ According to the USDA, China purchased over $12 billion in soybeans from U.S. farmers in 2024 — far more than any other farm export — and continued buying until May of this year. But after tariffs took effect, well, since then, none — instead heavily investing in Argentina and Brazil. ‘We’ve got to get something done. I mean, we don’t have time. This is just stupid. It’s just stupid.’”
WKYT (CBS): “China is the largest buyer of American soybeans, but tariffs on Chinese goods have resulted in zero U.S. sales during this crop year. Earlier this year, President Trump implemented a 20% tariff on soybean exports, and due to that tariff, China’s turned to Brazil and Argentina for soybeans. Democratic National Convention Chairman Ken Martin reached out to WKYT to talk about those tariffs. He says the tariffs are destroying American farms, and it’s a ripple effect in the economy. ‘What ends up happening is, of course, when American farmers are hurt, the rural economies that exist in these small towns — the small-town restaurant ends up closing, right, because there’s no income left anymore in those communities. The small-town banks and clinics and hospitals end up closing. You can go down the list. It just decimates rural economies. When we see the impact on our agricultural industry, like what we’re seeing right now — this is the worst farm crisis we’ve seen since the early 1980s.’”
KMSP-MIN (FOX): “Governor Tim Walz heavily criticizing President Trump’s Tariffs today, saying they are destroying American farmers. And the comments came during a DNC press call joined by a soybean farmer who said anticipated federal bailouts for farmers are simply a band-aid. […] ‘I am deeply concerned because I think the thing we need to keep in mind is it took decades to establish these markets. China didn’t just sign one year contracts with Argentina. They signed some of them up to a decade long. And it’s going to take us years to get these markets back.’”
WJFW (NBC): “China is now buying soybeans from Argentina, the same country the Trump administration agreed to send $20 billion. This has upset farmers like John Bartman, owner of Bartman Farm in Illinois. ‘MAGA now means make Argentina great again. According to the University of Illinois, the average grain farmer will lose $100 an acre in the city. Why? Because there’s nearly 1 billion bushels of soybeans that don’t have a home right now.’ The Trump administration is considering 10 to $15 billion in aid to American farmers. But Bartman says that’s not the answer he was hoping for. ‘A bailout is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Government bailouts do not make up for our loss of income. They’re designed not to, and if they don’t work, we don’t want to bail out. We want markets.’”
