I thought I'd drop my thoughts here about Trump's second presidency instead of leaping into the polluted waters of social media.
Here goes.
As for Trump 1.0, Robert Reich has already given Trump the failing grade he deserves, not to mention Rick Wilson's scathing review, so I will refrain from giving my thoughts.
Instead, here is how a Discourse Analyst sees it.
1) Trump Winning Was Foreseeable (and Facilitated by the Left)
The past few weeks there was a serious uptick in left leaning sites gloating about Trump's 'worst day' and predicting a Harris victory. This is both a worrying signal of complacency as well as a media trend that conversely emboldens Trump-sympathetic Americans into voting for him to pwn the leftist elites.
The left (ie Harris) should have been focusing on issues that appeal to ALL Americans instead of laughing at one American (Trump) who appeals to many others. And who feel insulted along with him.
It reminded me of nothing else than the moment when Obama showed The Lion King at the correspondents dinner in 2011. Trump was in the audience, and Obama's response to the birther theory Trump espoused was witty, but also condescending. There is a shot during the exchange of Trump, sitting stock still while the room erupts with laughter at his expense.
If you ask me, this is the moment when Trump decides to become president. "You got me," his stiffness seems to convey, "But I will get you."
The Trump presidency was a spite presidency, the ultimate victory of a wounded male ego of epic proportions propped up by millions of smaller ego who resonated with similar hurt and hate.
Not understanding this sowed the seeds of the 2nd Trump presidency.
2) Donald Trump Isn't The Real Threat
As Reich noted, Trump was a dud as president, and only his inability to govern effectively saved America from worse. In many ways, he seems more cognitively impaired and in decline than ever.
Trump is no longer to be feared. It is instead the Project 2025 architects who surround him that will do the real damage. Although the real extent of Trump's decline is debatable, his followers have created their own playbook and have four years to ram as much of t through as they can, while supported by a base that is either indifferent or supportive of its extremist vision for America.
Here is what we can expect from 'murica 2024-2029
Increase in GDP (fueled by record corporate profits and lowered wages and worker protections)
Further dismantling of government organizations, such as what Trump did to the Covid response team (I suspect the EPA and education will go back on the chopping block)
Some sort of armed conflict in which America colludes or sides with tyranny (the end of Ukraine? Palestine)
Attempts to exonerate Trump for his crimes and possibly change the term limit for US presidents
So go out for a walk in the woods, hug your friends, and have a cup of tea. You'll need it.
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