What does the deluge of criticism after a fair victory for Trump indicate?

Sun 10th Nov, 2024

A slew of accusations aimed at making Donald Trump look like an undeserving winner of the US presidency are hogging headlines across international media. From reports of Pentagon officials closing ranks if Trump tries to deploy active-duty troops on US streets, to a leading newspaper reporting that the Republican leader is bracing to pull out of the Paris Climate Deal, resentment against the president-elect seems to be peaking fast.

Only recently did Trump escape an assassination attempt inside the US and came out stronger and more resilient. It's the Trump who refused to cower to the threat to his life-- punching the air from the stage where a bullet grazed his ear. The fighting spirit that showed in his approach has resonated across the election firmament--before, during and post the presidential election exercise. For those who despise him, the maverick (not a disqualification for the US high chair!) Republican leader regaining the presidential pedestal after a one-term break is reason enough to be wary. For he is not only a "threat to democratic values and ethical politics" but "paints the US polity in quirky colors", or so do his detractors believe.

Earning him the moniker of a reckless tycoon in the White House, Trump's 'devil may care' disposition has however not won him many friends. The wily businessman however remains highly popular among his Republican supporters who are a pillar of strength and consider his decisions as always being in the interest of the United States.

The hatred for Trump is showing up in different ways--bizarre and irrational to downrightly brazen. Like in storm-hit Florida. An emergency services supervisor told his crew not to help inhabitants of houses showing signs supporting Trump. The Federal Emergency Management Agency supervisor was fired for this act termed reprehensible by the organisation's head.

Trump's scarred relationship with the media has been preyed upon by his detractors. According to reports, he has decided to go after much of the media even in his second term, threatening to imprison journalists, revoke broadcast licenses and sue media houses with lawsuits. During his first presidential term, Trump argued with journalists, described the press as the "enemy of the people," and banned reporters from official briefings. On the campaign trail this time, the Republican leader Trump used rhetoric to attack the media, telling supporters he wouldn't mind if journalists got shot -- and sparking fears he will attempt to use the government against the free press.

In the US political ecosystem there seems to be more concern over what harm Trump can bring to the country than an autopsy of why Democratic contender Kamala Harris lost despite a strong campaign that left no stone unturned to derail her rival's bid for the White House. Trump undoubtedly didn't rig the election, nor did he use unfair means, so what made him have a solid edge over Harris whose campaign did everything to make her go one up on the Republican tycoon. That's the million dollar question no one in the US seems to be asking. In fact, the Democratic establishment seems to be too stunned to react cohesively after Trump's astounding victory. Forget introspection, the Democrats seem to be living in denial. Hence all the vitriol against the next president of the United States.

Amid news of North Korean troops fighting against Ukrainian soldiers, Trump's remark that Kim Jong Un misses him has put the cat among the pigeons. Whether Trump's camaraderie with Kim is strong enough to shake traditional geopolitical posts remains to be seen, the remark in itself is being played against the Republican winner of the US presidency.

The US democratic system is paraded as an epitome of the love for institutional freedom that translates into power to the people. Tomes have been written about American democracy that sometimes also dictates terms to the rest of the world. After a tenuous election that threw up a Republican figure, Americans need to sit back and watch carefully the new goings on inside the White House. Criticism of Trump will not help the country politically, socially or economically. If the new occupant of the White House becomes intolerable and unworthy of the office, there are constitutional provisions to take care of such anomalies. Let him govern and not rule.


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