Content Warning: This section includes discussions of political violence, racism, anti-Muslim and xenophobic sentiment, and addiction.

From the start, the book sets out to explore the deepening divide between rural and urban America, focusing on how rural white Americans perceive their place in the country’s political and social landscape. The Prologue sets the stage by discussing the cultural and political significance of Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” and its reception in rural America.

The song, which glorifies small-town values and vilifies urban life, became a lightning rod for controversy in 2023, sparking debates about rural versus urban values. Schaller and Waldman argue that this song’s popularity among rural white people is emblematic of a broader trend: Rural white Americans feel increasingly disenfranchised and resentful toward urban, liberal America. Conservative media and politicians stoke this resentment, using cultural symbols and rhetoric to rally rural voters.

The authors highlight that rural America’s grievances are not new but have intensified in recent years, particularly since Donald Trump’s rise to power in 2016. They contend that rural white people wield significant political power despite being a minority, a dynamic that has led to what they describe as “minority rule” in America.