Not everyone can prove the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus wrong — he famously asserted that «no man can step into the same river twice». But Donald Trump, the 45th and now 47th president of the United States, has done just that.
What is the secret behind the seemingly miraculous return to the White House of this political newcomer, who was named «Person of the Year» in December by both the American magazine Time and the British newspaper Financial Times (FT)? The answer may lie in the visible and hidden factors behind his electoral success.
Topping the list of factors working in the Republican candidate’s favor is the frustration of ordinary working people — taxpayers — who openly say in polls that their families’ financial situation is worse today than it was four years ago. Some 45% say this, which is double the percentage in Trump’s last year in office (20%).
That’s why when Democrats touted the accomplishments of the Biden administration by citing the growth of stock prices and GDP, no one was convinced. As Ben Norton, author of the Popular Resistance website, explains, «Since 93% of all stocks are owned by the richest 10% of the U.S. population, and the poorest 50% own only 1%, the prosperity of Wall Street has no effect on the prosperity of citizens who earn their living by working, not by collecting investment income».
Ruchir Sharma summarized the formally positive statistics in the pages of the Financial Times and delivered his verdict: «The economic boom in the U.S. is a mirage». It has not benefited ordinary Americans, but the largest corporations.
Here we should take a moment to temper any exaggerated praise of Trump’s strengths. He was running against a Democratic Party team that was riven with internal conflicts and burdened with numerous problems (an influx of low-skilled illegal immigrants, rampant crime, ghettoization and urban decay, the impoverishment of the middle class, and so on).
The website Common Law America offered an analysis entitled «Why Trump Won and What Awaits Us». The central thesis is that the Biden administration «ignores Americans dying in the streets while handing out billions to Ukraine, and puts illegal immigrants in hotel rooms — and quickly gives them permission to get benefits. This is an administration that needs to go».
The mistakes of the Obama-Clinton-Biden political clan played into Trump’s hands. Shortly before Election Day, a writer for Common Law America offered a prophetic statement about why Trump’s return was inevitable: «When reality finally breaks through to the consciousness of these ‘woke people’ — who live in a fantasy universe with their heads in the sand — they will feel the pain».
Meanwhile, Ryan Fournier, writing for The Western Journal, argues that «Trump’s victory was driven by a powerful populist wave sweeping the country. A significant portion of the electorate, long ignored by the political elite, found its voice reflected in Trump’s platform. It resonated with those who felt left behind by globalization and the rapid changes in our cultural landscape». This last point refers to the «culture wars» initiated by the Democrats, which have exhausted the citizens of a country made up of competing ethnic groups, classes, and factions.
A psychological and political portrait of Donald Trump-with an emphasis on his distinctive style of thought and behavior-would require painstaking study. The second act of his presidency may provide clarity. For now, we can only sketch an outline, without filling in all the details.
So who are you, Donald Trump? How did you come back from oblivion?
1. The art of the «populist». (If we define a «populist» as a politician who says exactly what his voters want to hear). Trump has managed to present himself as the only person who is able — and, crucially, determined — to restore the «stability» that his fellow citizens crave (we can draw parallels here), and who still haven’t fully shaken off the fatigue of the COVID era. It’s no surprise that by positioning himself as the champion of normalcy, Trump was able to spark a glimmer of hope in voters’ eyes.
2. Self-promotion and adaptability. Having honed his ability to connect with audiences as the producer and host of the reality show The Apprentice, Trump learned the tricks of influencing mass consciousness. He also understood the potential of social media. He used it to the full to keep the public’s attention on himself. In doing so, he partially neutralized the smear and demonization campaign against him in the mainstream media, most of which is staffed by neoliberals of various stripes.
3. Sloganeering. His marketing slogan «Make America Great Again» may have been mocked, parodied, and ridiculed by his opponents, but it worked. A significant portion of Trump’s fellow citizens, disillusioned by the negative developments accumulating in their daily lives, eagerly clung to the promise of a brighter tomorrow-one that would be both more prosperous and more comfortable. In a subconscious way, it also tapped into imperial instincts. Many generations have been steeped in the cult of strength and the view of America as the world’s policeman and omnipotent hegemon.
4. Visionary Thinking. The promise to «make America great again» reflects Trump’s self-proclaimed visionary outlook — the ability, or claimed ability, to foresee a comprehensive, panoramic, and, most importantly, detailed picture of the future. What promises secured the trust of 70,844,677 voters?
Deport illegal immigrants who serve the interests of Latin American drug cartels. Bring back the jobs that have fled to low-wage countries so that native citizens can work. End the erosion of unifying national myths carried out by neoliberals through the promotion of Critical Race Theory and «wokeness». Not coincidentally, Trump made a show of insisting that there are only two sexes-male and female-instead of 72 genders.
Taken together, these lofty goals convinced supporters and even some defectors from the other side that Trump had both a philosophy of life and a plan of action. They concluded that he could be trusted. It’s hard not to agree with Ryan Fournier that «Trump’s victory was not just a political one, but a reaffirmation of values and principles shared by many Americans».
5. Sangfroid. Americans — a nation of settlers raised on seizing territory from indigenous peoples, steeped in the cowboy culture of having a «big iron on the hip» — reacted with admiration to the sight of Trump with a bloodied ear and a fist raised in defiance. They saw it as proof that he’s one of them. Clearly, if he can show such courage in a moment of mortal danger, he won’t back down.
…The million-dollar question is whether Trump, who takes office on January 20, has a chance of being named «Person of the Year» again next December!