Trump’s Legacy
Donald Trump’s populist hold on The United States.
By Fitch Melson
Donald Trump will not go down in history as a unifying “President of Peace” as he so dreams of becoming. He has pitted millions of people against him in an effort to seem like the ‘Great Big Savior’ to a lost America. The fact of the matter is that he is no unifying figure, but vilifies people and institutions that go against his core– hatred of those who believe this country can thrive on diverse beliefs, cultures, and livelihoods. His populist politics create a system where the elite are the educated and open-minded, whereas “the people” he serves to protect are those holding on to the facade of a great American pastime– people who would rather have a nation of one idea, one face, and one identity, rather than a nation of many. If he were the true “President of Peace,” he would be embracing differences in opinions and would try to build bridges and bring people together, rather than looking out for his own.
President Trump is notorious for seeing his opposition as his enemies, rather than people with whom he can try to find common ground. When one disagrees with him, they are immediately kicked out of the sacred inner circle. This division is antithetical to what makes a true democracy. Donald Trump’s own movement itself proves this point: Make America Great Again, but for whom? For most, if not all, of the history of the United States, America was “great” for one person– the wealthy white man. While today’s world is far from perfect in terms of inclusion and representation, we have made meaningful progress toward a society where people of all backgrounds can thrive and participate in government. It is disheartening that MAGA not only resists this progress but actively fights to reverse it.
The time is now for a movement to bring unity to the United States and to allow for differences of opinion to be celebrated. It is within these disagreements that real action happens, not just for the few, but for all Americans. We should embrace the idea that we can find common ground through respectful dialogue with the other side as human beings, as Americans. The dangers of Trump and his populist ideology and practices lie within his ability to rile up a prejudiced base that felt lost in an evolving world. He has gained millions of supporters who see him as saving them from an untrustworthy democracy. However, the message he whines to his supporters is not true- it is based on someone who wants to consolidate power and break apart our institutions. If we want to save the United States, rejecting populist Trumpism is the first step.
It is fair to say that the very fabric of our nation has been thrown into a tornado of hysteria and selfishness by those who hold positions of power. However, Trump has taken this to levels that only authoritarians and dictators admire. A national movement to fight against Trumpism and bring back the dignity of our nation at home and abroad is our only hope. We must bring all different ages, cultures, and political ideologies together to show that what Donald Trump rejects is actually what makes America great– diversity of thought and experiences. We are a large, diverse nation, and we must use this fact as a way to unify us, not a way to make enemies. Our nation is at the precipice of becoming an unrecognizable country with one terrible leader at the helm. The time for change is now.