
The reality of Trump’s America is just beginning to settle in, and it isn’t a pleasant one.
Years of influence, followed by Trump’s return to his presidency, have redefined the very nature of American politics and citizen political engagement. Ready or not, it’s time for us to acknowledge what American government truly symbolizes at its core—a high school boys’ club, where riches and popularity promise power. And those who voted him back are just hungry for a piece.
The President’s journey back to office—as the second only President to serve two non-consecutive terms and the first convicted felon to serve at all—is a feat much of the world thought was impossible, until it was solidified at his Jan. 20 inauguration. Trump’s triumph over impeachments and assassination attempts further speaks to the spectacle his presidency has ultimately become.
From plans to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) policies, to reducing “male” and “female” as the only recognized genders, to renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” Trump demonstrates his policies are just as outlandish. Anyone can tell these changes signal less about implementing meaningful changes, and everything about asserting power for the sake of it.
Equally complicit in Trump’s rise are his loyal followers and sympathizers, who are now getting a taste of the society their ballot choices played a role in shaping. Even individuals who once supported Trump—for his promises to drive economic prosperity and pledge to protect the interests of Americans—are growing disheartened by the political outcomes that now unfold.
The question that remains is how much longer the rest will blindly follow, or if his popularity will continue to entice them.
There’s no doubt Trump’s actions have shifted the public’s overall conceptualization of politics and shaken the standard for acceptable social dynamics. When your own leader puts radical Tweets on the Internet and makes statements about absorbing Canada as its 51st state, it’s no surprise citizens have a flawed perception of politics and leadership.
As modelled by Trump’s success, modern political engagement is no longer about having decision-making power—it’s about following the lofty promises of whoever’s at the top of the social order.
The value of political engagement and the model of meaningful leadership have taken a turn for the worse. The American government has become an exclusive playground for the wealthiest few who get to benefit from it.
The US has entered a dangerous age of political leadership—targeted communities are feeling it; surrounding nations awaiting the global and economic impacts prepare for it. It’s a matter of time before the rest of Americans begin seeing it for what it is.
—Journal Editorial Board
Tags
donald trump, Leadership, United States, US politics
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