The United State election and Donald Trump’s comeback

The election of Mr. Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States has been a shocking turn of events, both for American Democrats and much of the world. This outcome is particularly jarring because it resulted in the victory of a leader burdened by significant criminal and moral controversies. Prior to the election, Trump was facing multiple criminal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the government, voter disenfranchisement, and obstruction of official proceedings, along with other serious allegations. While Americans have the right to choose their leader, it was hoped that they would consider the global impact of their choice, given the moral challenges that could impede the U.S.’s leadership role on the world stage.

Despite the heated rhetoric and controversies leading up to the November 5 election, Donald Trump emerged victorious, defeating Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris. This marked his return to the presidency after previously serving as the 45th president. Tensions had been high in the lead-up to the election, with issues like immigration, the evolving “woke” culture, and the state of traditional American society taking center stage. Notably, Trump survived two assassination attempts before the vote, which further amplified the high stakes surrounding the election.

The significance of the U.S. presidential election extends beyond American borders due to the country’s central role in global affairs. After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. emerged as the dominant superpower, despite a shift towards a multipolar world order. The U.S. dollar remains the world’s primary currency, and the country’s trade and security policies have a profound impact globally. As such, the character and actions of U.S. presidential candidates are of great interest to people around the world.

Trump, who had been mired in legal controversies, impeachment proceedings, and accusations of inciting insurrection against American democracy on January 6, 2021, presented himself as a staunch pro-Israel, conservative leader. His views on issues such as LGBT rights, abortion, and the regeneration of Christian values resonated with traditionalist Americans. As The Economist noted, Trump made bold and controversial promises, including deporting millions of illegal immigrants and using the military to crack down on left-wing activists within the Democratic Party.

On the other hand, Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent, was seen as more polished and diplomatic, with a clear grasp of her proposed policies. However, her stances on issues like abortion, LGBT rights, and drug legalization alienated some voters, while others criticized the Biden administration’s foreign policy record. The Economist highlighted that many Americans viewed the Democratic Party’s criticisms of Trump as hypocritical, especially given their perception of the misuse of the justice system against him. They also felt that Biden’s foreign policy failures were more severe than anything seen during Trump’s first term.

Ultimately, Trump won the election, and Harris conceded, emphasizing the importance of accepting the outcome in a democracy. She reminded Americans that the peaceful transfer of power is a fundamental principle of American democracy, one that distinguishes it from authoritarian regimes.

However, we believe that Trump’s election, given his moral and criminal baggage, signals a decline in American democracy. The world has little to learn from such a leader, especially when it comes to moral leadership, which plays a crucial role in fostering global peace and the prosperity of great nations. While Trump may now be more politically astute than he was in 2017, concerns remain about his ability to follow through on his pledges. On the economic front, policies like higher tariffs and tax cuts may exacerbate inflation, especially with the expected mass deportation of illegal immigrants. These developments could lead to a labor supply shock, further inflating prices.

On the global stage, Trump’s foreign policy will be closely watched. Under his leadership, the U.S. avoided major military conflicts, but questions remain about how he will handle ongoing crises, such as the situation in Gaza, the expansion of NATO, and the Russian-Ukrainian war. Another key issue is his stance on Taiwan and the U.S.-China trade war, particularly whether he will maintain Biden’s support for Taiwan or intensify the tariff war with China. Furthermore, there is concern about whether Trump will continue to treat the Global South with the same disregard as he did during his first term.

While The Economist offers some retrospective solace, noting that Trump’s first presidency wasn’t the disaster many Democrats predicted, the reality is that there were still significant issues under his administration, from the economy to foreign policy. Though Trump did not succeed in overturning the 2020 election results, his time in office was marked by significant controversies. Nevertheless, there is hope that the U.S. system of checks and balances—through the judiciary, legislature, and other institutions—will provide necessary oversight.

As time will tell how Trump’s second presidency unfolds, there are valuable lessons for countries, particularly in Africa. In nations like Nigeria, electoral processes often suffer from apathy, vote-buying, and other forms of corruption. In contrast, American democracy underscores the sanctity of the vote, where the results are accepted by all sides for the good of the nation, not personal gain. National interest consistently outweighs self-interest, a principle that many African democracies could learn from as they seek to strengthen their own electoral processes.

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