How did we get here?
As of today, November 6, 2024 Trump has 51% of the total votes and 277 electoral votes. It was difficult to write that, given my belief that Trump wants absolute rule.
“We love this guy,” Trump said of Hannity. “He says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said: ‘No, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.’”
— Donald Trump
A direct quote that people believe is a joke as evidenced by the ~71M people that voted for him. It’s unreal, but it has hardened my resolve.
Why Was Trump Reelected?
New Media: People have lost faith in what new media calls the Legacy Media.
Influencers like Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Russell Brand, and others have displaced the likes of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN. Joe Rogan has ~14M followers on Spotify alone while The New York Times has ~10M subscribers. Trust in these institutions has eroded thanks to a for-profit news industry incentivized to serve legacy power structures.
Economic Anxiety: While the economy is doing well, by the numbers, people are getting owned by greedy corporations hellbent on controlling every aspect of our lives while gouging us a the checkout stand.
Fear: Trump has divided the country between him and the others that have ruined America for him and his followers. Additionally, societal fear is heightened by downward economic pressure and the rise of AI and automation that is rapidly displacing jobs.
Both Sides Division: Trump has effectively divided us, but the left has played into the extremism by pushing for unreasonable policies that cut against the grain of American values like free speech.
Uninspiring Leadership: Obama won two terms in large part because people like him. He’s a great orator and projects a wholesome image despite America’s unwholesome presence on the world stage. The Democratic Party is unable to produce a candidate of his caliber and get the party to unite with them.
What’s The Path Forward?
- Seek To Understand: We need to understand why people voted for Trump. It’s complicated, and unfortunately, identity politics has blinded many who want to understand their grievances.
- Rekindle Common Ground: Freedom is a core American value. If a policy needlessly impedes on individual freedom, it’s a non-starter. We need to find common ground on issues that matter to everyone.
- Educate Ourselves: Watch the New Media. Listen to the Joe Rogans, the Jordan Petersons, and the Russell Brands even if we don’t agree with them. They are airing valid grievances that we need to address.
- Do The Work: A broken bridge doesn’t fix itself. Let’s find ways to come together and fix the problems that ail us. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s necessary.
- Save The Republic: To save the republic we’ll need everyone engaged in their own way. Learning about the issues that drive people to Trump, talking to people, and voting in every election.
Conclusion
It took a while to traverse my stages of grief when Trump was elected in 2016, then later realizing he was driving us toward fascism in 2018. My feelings are different this time around. I feel resolved to better understand why Trump was elected, help us reason about the issues, and build a foundation for a better future.
I’m with Jon Stewart.