Opinion: Trump’s Rhetoric Threatens America’s Democratic Ideals

07:51 2/11/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

From our vantage point across the Atlantic, the enduring appeal of Donald Trump remains perplexing. How can the world’s most established democracy be on the brink of re-electing a 78-year-old billionaire who defies conventional political standards? Trump’s approach, with its provocations and personal attacks, feels more like reality TV than statesmanship, more fitting for the spectacle of

entertainment than for the highest office in the land. Yet millions of Americans rally to his cause, fiercely loyal and seemingly unfazed by his rhetoric.

Analysts on both sides of the Atlantic struggle to understand this unwavering support. Trump’s supporters—those who embrace the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement—seem to see in him a champion for their frustrations, a voice willing to speak the unspeakable. At one rally, he donned a high-visibility vest, climbed aboard a garbage truck, and proclaimed, “Kamala and Joe treat you like trash, but I see you as America’s soul.” By speaking in simple, direct language, Trump resonates deeply with many Americans, reducing complex issues to slogans that feel accessible and instantly memorable.

Yet Trump’s rhetoric also drives the public discourse to unprecedented lows, often descending into open hostility. His speeches portray Democrats as “vermin” and “internal enemies,” with comments that edge toward incitement. Kamala Harris, for example, has been called “weak,” “stupid,” and “mentally deficient” by Trump, who paints her as an existential threat to American society. This language, amplified by Trump’s theatrical delivery, is as incendiary as it is calculated, turning even insult into a kind of performance art.

But there’s a deliberate strategy behind Trump’s relentless provocations. Crafted with the help of former strategist Steve Bannon, this approach to media involves a constant bombardment of sensationalist statements, meant not to persuade but to overwhelm. Each day brings fresh, inflammatory claims that distract from the previous day’s controversies, leaving the media—and the public—unable to keep pace. In this continuous cycle, verification becomes nearly impossible, and the truth becomes secondary to the spectacle itself.

At the core of Trump’s appeal lies a straightforward, almost archetypal narrative. He paints a picture in stark contrasts: the “bad guys” (corrupt elites and criminal immigrants), the “good guys” (his supporters, the American people), and the heroic figure of Trump himself. He casts the nation as under siege, beset by internal and external enemies, ranging from “radical” Democrats and the “deep state” to a supposedly lawless media that he brands as “enemies of the people.” His rhetoric breaks all traditional norms, positioning him as an outsider who rejects the rules of decorum and civility—a powerful stance for supporters who see themselves as alienated from conventional politics.

For many, this unapologetic style exemplifies strength and masculinity. In their view, it stands in stark contrast to what they see as the political left’s sensitivity or “snowflake” tendencies—a term Trump’s supporters use to dismiss liberal values as weak and out of touch. His incendiary language and shock tactics reassure his audience that he will enact “tough” policies against perceived social and cultural threats, including immigrants, Muslims, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities.

As Election Day approaches, America’s future—and that of liberal democracy itself—hangs in the balance. Kamala Harris recently responded to Trump’s inflammatory tactics with a measured rebuke, declaring, “Trump does not deserve to stand before the American flag.” Yet her restraint is easily overshadowed by the sheer volume of Trump’s sensationalist rhetoric.

In the coming hours, America faces a profound choice: to uphold democratic ideals or yield to a wave of political extremism that threatens to redefine democracy itself. From across the Atlantic, we watch with hope that Americans will rise to the occasion, voting not only for their own future but for the ideals of democracy that resonate far beyond their borders.

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