The return of Donald Trump to the presidency has left millions grappling with intense emotions. The sentiment spans from disappointment to outright fury, with an ample portion of the populace left in shock. As conversations unfold, the blame game adds to the heat. The list of targets for blame is long – black and Hispanic communities who are claimed to have sided with Trump, young or first-time voters, and even white women.
In the labyrinth of blame, some people’s fingers point towards Kamala Harris, one of the key Democratic candidates, while others remain unconvinced by this and blame other factors. There is a vocal section that believes Harris’s campaign suffered from inadequate policy vision. Some argue that the Biden administration’s stance on foreign issues, such as their support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, drove voters away.
A critic could argue that it was mainstream media’s argument of Harris’s failure to tackle everyday issues – like the price of eggs – that cost the Democrats the election. These notions are even propagated by elements within the Democratic Party. However, referring to these reasons as causes for defeat overlooks the big picture that is fraught with misogynistic and racist undertones.
The essence of these biases seeped into Trump’s campaign and influenced much of American society once Harris became the Democratic candidate. The unfortunate reality is that a significant portion of white voters favored Trump once these undertones became part of the campaign. Racism and misogyny, deeply rooted in the US society and arguably present globally, played a major role in having the majority of white citizens sway towards Trump, making his victory a reality.
When you add to this scenario the fact that a large chunk of the voter base that had voted against Trump in the 2020 election decided not to participate this time around, it left the door wide open for Trump’s return. People may not agree with my perspective, but the fact remains – Trump is back in office. However, the focus here is not necessarily why Trump is back but rather how his opponents can and intend to act against him and his proponents.
Against the backdrop of Trump’s presidency, it’s fundamental to recognize the forces that uphold his power. Money, manipulation, and governance all work in tandem to favor Trump’s reign. He sits at the helm as the emblem of a dangerous alliance that promotes white supremacy, Christian nationalism, extreme capitalism triggered by insatiable greed, imperialistic warfare, and, most importantly, rampant misogyny.
While Trump may not fully subscribe to all these beliefs, he proves willing to be their puppet when it benefits him. His entire political career has been tarnished by transactional power dynamics, which he utilizes to his benefit. The forces backing him, however, are ideologically motivated to a much greater extent. This is evident in the case of Stephen Miller, an advisor known for his racist views and detest for immigrants.
Miller, the architect of several controversial policies during Trump’s initial tenure, including the Muslim ban, will likely propagate similar rhetoric this time too. Along with him, the likes of ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan and the head of the DHS, Kristi Noem, will ensure policies surrounding immigration are shrouded in racism, legality, and questionable morality.
Apprehension is already on the rise in immigrant communities and among those who’ve worked closely with them. The fear extends to the individuals Trump aims to appoint in critical government departments, primarily those dealing with military, diplomacy, and intelligence. The potential heads of the State and Defense departments are infamous for prioritizing intervention over diplomacy, encouraging not just their supremacist ideologies but also subtly advocating for outright war.
Things appear to be worrisome for the regulatory bodies tasked with keeping coporate America in check. Each nominee is an ardent supporter of uncontrolled neoliberal capitalism prioritizing profit over honesty. This is the bleak reality we’re up against. But, even in the face of this seemingly inevitable doom, how can those opposed to Trump resist the encroaching fascism.
To start, it’s advisable not to panic, remain engaged, and avoid in-fighting amongst themselves. Ascertain a charismatic leader capable of rivaling Trump’s supposed allure. Subsequently, focusing solely on identity politics or street protests will not be enough. Grassroots organizing must be inclusive of an economic message and demonstrate the strong leadership potential among the Democrats.
The real challenge is to challenge Trumpism, which is nothing less than an American spin on fascism, completely draped in the national flag and championed by capitalists whose wealth is obtained by oppressing labor unions and ignoring the workers who enabled their success.
Remember, this wave of fascism didn’t start with Trump’s presidency in 2016. It’s been brewing under the surface for a while. We see evidence of this in the literature opposing the fascism of the 1930s, a period when the fascists claimed the most substantial victories worldwide.
A telling manifestation of this was when Trump supporters brought back the spirit of fascists who filled Madison Square Garden for a rally in October 2024. Sinclair Lewis’ anti-fascist novel ‘It Can’t Happen Here’ is eerily reminiscent of the MAGA movement, which is merely another name for Trumpism.
As history has repeatedly shown us, these sorts of biases and divisions require more than just political strategies and rhetoric to overcome. They require a unified effort from the people against the assimilated power that promotes them. Therefore, the big question remains – how can we fight against a system designed to oppress the masses while endorsing unitary power?