AFT leads coalition against Trump's policies in New York Times ad

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), along with a coalition of 149 organizations, has published a full-page advertisement in the New York Times. The ad criticizes President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for what it describes as a "big ugly betrayal," focusing on policies that favor the wealthy at the expense of working families.

The advertisement argues that recent legislation will benefit billionaires while harming public services such as education and healthcare. AFT President Randi Weingarten stated, "This ad shows how Trump’s big, ugly betrayal takes food off the table, abandons public education, and erodes the social programs that support millions of hardworking Americans."

The coalition includes diverse groups representing millions of people. The ad claims that under the new law, public schools will lose funding due to a private school voucher scheme, making college unaffordable for many and leading to rural hospital closures.

Despite its unpopularity—only 31 percent of registered voters support it—the legislation continues to face opposition from various sectors. The signatories range from labor unions to advocacy groups like the NAACP and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Randi Weingarten emphasized the need for solidarity to reverse what she called "appalling legislation." The AFT's leadership team includes Fedrick C. Ingram as Secretary-Treasurer and Evelyn DeJesus as Executive Vice President.