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Trump redux and its global ripple effect

In the local American landscape, Trump’s revival is counter hegemonic to the leftist cabal controlling academia, bureaucracy, media, and popular culture.

By Shreyash Sharma

Populism isn’t new, but Donald Trump’s redux in American politics has reignited debates about whether democracies crumble not through coups but through mandates. Populism after all is not a unique or new concept, and it is not inherently negative, particularly within democratic systems. In fact, some of the most influential and memorable leaders in the United States have been populists, and interestingly, they are often admired by individuals within the leftist political sphere.

I remember reading ‘How Democracies Die’ by Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky a few years back. Their central thesis—that democracies are not only threatened by violent coups or external forces but also by elected leaders who subvert democratic norms. In other words, it was a ‘skewed’ analysis of how the ‘demagogue’ Trump, despite having the mandate of the people, is set to lead America to a point of no return. I found the book to be shallow in its arguments, lacking historical consideration and objectivity to make a claim so provocative.

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You see this as a consistent pattern across the leftist establishment across democracies. The premise of their campaigns is demonizing the right, its policies, yet propose no alternative. The rhetoric surrounding “rising authoritarianism” and “political polarization” has been far overutilized to the point of expiry, diminishing its impact and efficacy in conveying meaningful messages to the electorate.

Voters clearly grew disillusioned with a movement that seems more intent on tearing down than building up. Look for instance on Trump’s messaging around wars and conflicts inflicting the globe. It’s an open secret that the left and liberal lobby has a soft corner for the Palestinian cause, that was vehemently visible during the protests across US university campuses, pop culture messaging, and hijacking of the narrative around the conflict. However, in terms of practicable solutions on the ground, the left had practically no solution except perpetually funding Israel. That’s a lot of hypocrisy to process at once. Trump on the other hand, irrespective of his motivations, has reiterated his ‘anti-war’ and ‘for peace’ stance, and credit where it’s due – Biden could not have struck the Gaza ceasefire deal without Trump. To quote the Arab officials, “Trump envoy swayed Netanyahu more in one meeting than Biden did all year.”

During the campaign trails, the Democrats seemed obsessed with portraying Trump as an existential threat to American values of freedom, liberty, and equality. Their messaging revolved around framing Trump as the antagonist of democracy itself, a demagogue poised to dismantle the foundational principles of the republic. Yet, in their relentless fixation on Trump, they failed to highlight their own track record or substantively demonstrate what they had done to protect and advance these very same values they so ardently champion. Key issues like economic inequality, healthcare reform, climate change, and social justice were treated as secondary to the overarching goal of “stopping Trump.”

Yet here we are, ushering in another Trump era. From his inaugural speech to the optics of the ‘Liberty Ball,’ and the cascade of executive orders that followed, his return has delivered more shock and awe than even the most seasoned political analysts can fully dissect. Trump has not merely stepped back into the political arena; he has ascended as America’s ultimate culture warrior, the poster boy of the MAGA movement, and the flagbearer of patriotism. His every move seems tailored to both captivate his loyal base and send his detractors into a frenzy, ensuring that his political legacy remains as polarizing as it is potent.

Donald Trump, aka the ‘Disruptor-in-Chief,’ from his first-day in office is coming down heavily on the woke lobby, dismantling years of foundational work aimed at socially engineering American society. Through his unapologetic rhetoric, Trump has taken direct aim at the carefully curated frameworks of ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI),’ the promotion of gender fluidity theories, and the mainstreaming of racial identity and sub-identities to dismiss merit in public and private institutions.

In the local American landscape, Trump’s revival is counter hegemonic to the leftist cabal controlling academia, bureaucracy, media, and popular culture. The leftward tilt of academia in America ceased to be merely a ‘tilt’; it turned into a pervasive influence shaping the discourse and direction of intellectual pursuits; a form of weaponization akin to the Marxist indoctrination of the Soviet era. The dominance of left-liberal ideologies within educational institutions has not only colored academic research and teaching but has also influenced broader societal narratives and policy decisions. This shift has sparked debates on academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and the role of universities in fostering a marketplace of ideas. The ideological homogeneity within academia has led to concerns about the suppression of dissenting viewpoints, the stifling of academic freedom, and the creation of echo chambers that limit the diversity of thought essential for robust intellectual inquiry and progress.

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The geopolitical implications of Trump’s return are perplexing. The highlight of his economic policies are premised on weaponizing tariffs and trade–we’ll have to wait and watch how viable these would be as trade wars benefit no one in the long run, and are ultimately borne by the median consumer. Trump has already withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and halted funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) which are pretty radical steps on the first day of presidency. This approach, while emotionally charged, should be viewed as reactive rather than proactive. These steps underscored his ‘America First’ doctrine, prioritizing domestic interests over multilateral cooperation, sending apprehensions across international institutions about the United States’s commitment to addressing global challenges, from climate change to pandemic preparedness to international order.

Across the Atlantic, Trump’s return has sent shockwaves through Europe, reigniting old anxieties about his unpredictable foreign policy and America’s retreat from traditional multilateralism. The European Union’s deep reliance on NATO—an alliance Trump previously labeled “obsolete”—faces renewed scrutiny as fears mount that his America First doctrine could deprioritize European security. The panic isn’t just limited to security dependence and geopolitics, it’s about policy concerns; it’s also cultural. Trump’s rise has emboldened Europe’s own populist movements, with right-wing leaders, drawing from Trump’s playbook, are disrupting Europe’s political fabric, advocating for nationalism over integration and challenging the ‘fluid sovereignty’ and ‘centralized’ values that the European Union holds dear. Europe is not just watching America’s political drama; it’s feeling the ripple effects in its own backyard. European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Olaf Scholz have reiterated the pressing need both for strategic and military independence.

Donald Trump’s return to the political stage has reignited debates on populism and polarization, speculations about his four years in office amongst the political pundits. His unapologetic brand of reactionary politics challenges traditional norms, exposing the weaknesses of liberal establishments despite having the privilege of incumbency. Love him or loathe him, Trump is a disruptor—a figure who forces democracies, institutions, and political opponents to grapple with uncomfortable truths. As much as liberals would despise it, Trump has already secured a place in the history books with his historic comeback to White House.

Contributing Author: Shreyash Sharma is a research assistant at the Department of Public and International Affairs in City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

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