Donald Trump has triumphantly secured a second term as US President, a feat that reflects not just an individual victory, but a ringing endorsement for Trumpism. With a margin of roughly 5 million votes in favor, the potency of Trump’s appeal has been reaffirmed, passing an electoral litmus test in almost every swing state. His victory further underlines increased Republican support, mirrored by a gain in his vote shares in practically all states juxtaposed with 2020 results.
The triumph wasn’t confined to the presidency alone as the Republican Party also regained control of the Senate. The prospect of retaining a majority in the House of Representatives bolsters Republican dominance, reinforcing their grip on Washington’s corridors of power. Together with a Supreme Court that leans towards conservative interpretations, this election has indeed signaled a sweep for Republicans.
This decisive mandate, however, comes as a surprise to many experts who couldn’t gauge the resilience of Trump and his political ideology. It seems as if Trump’s ability to bounce back with gusto in the face of adversity has been underestimated time after time. He presents his own unconventional brand of politics that defies traditional reasoning or understanding.
American politics has indeed seen a significant shift with the rise and entrenchment of Trumpism. The realignment of Republicans as the party of the white working class and the ability to secure a significant vote bank among minority communities emphasizes Trump’s unique plumage in the political aviary.
The electoral defeat of Harris prompts further questions. Amidst widespread dissatisfaction with living standards, tumultuous border policies, and questionable international engagement choices, was there something Harris could have done to alter the outcome? The prevalent anti-incumbency mood, coupled with Harris’s inability to significantly differentiate her platform from Biden’s or present an enticing vision beyond simply not being Trump, came across as stumbling blocks.
The Democratic Party’s defeat compels an introspection into the shortcomings of the Harris campaign. Endeavoring to decipher how the party succumbed to a leader who’s overcome numerous challenges is a burning question. Yet, it also raises reflections on successful campaigns like the double-term presidency of Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 victory in the national popular vote.
This defeat could force the Democrats to reckon with the notion that they may be disconnected from the key concerns of the American public. Struggling with addressing crucial domestic and cultural issues, they appear out of sync with what is happening at the American kitchen table.
As we look ahead, Trump’s upcoming tenure promises a President unrestricted by conventions. Trump has evinced interest in having Tesla’s Elon Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, lead a task force to investigate the workings of the federal government. Additionally, Trump stalwarts like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Vivek Ramaswamy, and Tulsi Gabbard, are speculated to be given executive roles with far-reaching reform agendas.
Trump’s national impact policy framework largely aligns with standard Republican philosophy. His ambitions include making the 2017 tax cuts a permanent attribute and reducing corporate tax rates to 15% from the current 21%. Further, he seeks to bolster deregulation efforts within administrative structures and minimize constraints on US energy production, thereby asserting economic and political sovereignty.
Perhaps the most contentious part of Trump’s national policy is his plan to impose steep tariffs on imports. With proposed rates ranging anywhere from 10 to 20% on all goods entering American borders, and even climbing to a whopping 60% for imports from China, this would mark a significant departure from current practices. His firm stance on massive deportations of undocumented migrants has ignited debates and is viewed as potentially inflationary.
Internationally, Trump promises a steadfast adherence to his ‘America First’ doctrine, denoting skepticism towards international entities and collaborations with traditional western allies. His fairly aggressive stance on China augments his plans to tighten reigns on import tariffs.
In Europe, Trump assures an immediate settlement of the Ukraine war as a top priority. This would likely involve Ukraine making land concessions, coupled with negating its future prospects of joining NATO. Hence, his policies aim to bring about considerable geopolitical shifts.
On the Middle East front, Trump reiterates staunch backing for Israel’s self-defense rights. His perspective on ending the Gaza war leans more towards Israeli interests, diverging from the previous administration’s inclination towards protecting Palestinian rights. Trump extends his support for a ‘maximum pressure’ strategy on Iran and advocates for fostering stronger Israel-Saudi Arabia relations.