Melby has been associated with the Department of Defense Studies and the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy, and he has written books on American politics. He passes a crushing judgment on Trump and those who voted for him.
– Then what happened that I didn’t think was possible for the longest time, that the American voters have knowingly and willfully elected a totally immoral convicted fascist coup plotter as president, he writes on Facebook.
No serious country elects such a “totally indecent person as president”, Melby believes.
A new United States
Melby understands that frustrated voters in protest against the political elite elected Trump as president in 2016.
– But after eight years where Trump has clearly appeared to be an anti-democrat, such an explanation does not hold, he believes.
– If you are to distribute the responsibility for this election result, you cannot escape the American political and economic elite’s years-long ignorance of large groups’ growing problems, he believes.
Gets big results
With Trump as president, a new United States will emerge, and the consequences for the rest of the world could be great, warns Melby.
– The USA with its exceptionalist self-image and understanding of international roles on which we have based ourselves, and which with its combination of soft power and hard power has constituted the very anchor point in international politics, the USA no longer exists, he believes.
– Gone is the will to define support for democracy as part of their national interests. Gone is now also the basic belief in collective arrangements, notes Melby.
– Poor Ukraine and the collective security order in Europe, is his sigh.
#Researcher #power #salvo #Trumps #election #victory
**Interview with Political Analyst Lars Melby**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Lars. You’ve expressed strong opinions about Donald Trump’s potential presidency. Can you elaborate on what you believe the implications of a Trump victory would be for both the United States and the international community?
**Melby:** Certainly. A Trump presidency would indicate a significant shift in how the United States perceives itself on the world stage. The essence of American exceptionalism—viewing itself as a beacon of democracy and a leader in international diplomacy—would diminish. We might see a complete abandonment of the principles that guided U.S. foreign policy, particularly around supporting democratic values.
**Interviewer:** You mention that the U.S. might no longer support democracy as a national interest. How do you think this would affect other nations, particularly those like Ukraine facing aggression?
**Melby:** The consequences could be dire. Without American backing, nations like Ukraine could find themselves isolated and vulnerable. This would not only embolden authoritarian regimes but also unravel the established collective security order in Europe, putting pressure on the West to rethink its defense strategies.
**Interviewer:** Some argue that Trump’s initial election was a response to the political elite’s failure to address the issues of average Americans. Do you believe that frustration among voters has reached a tipping point where they would overlook Trump’s controversial past?
**Melby:** While voter frustration is understandable, it raises serious questions about accountability. Elected leaders should uphold certain moral standards, and choosing someone with Trump’s history signals a troubling acceptance of indecency in politics. It suggests voters might be prioritizing anger over the integrity of their leadership.
**Interviewer:** Do you believe there is a way for the political elite to regain the trust of these frustrated voters, or is the gap too wide to bridge?
**Melby:** Regaining trust will require a fundamental shift in understanding the everyday struggles of these voters. The political and economic elites must actively engage with those communities, listen to their needs, and offer tangible solutions. Without that, we risk deepening the divide and continuing the cycle of disillusionment.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, with all that we’ve discussed, how do you believe this scenario will shape global perceptions of the United States moving forward?
**Melby:** Should Trump reclaim the presidency, the global community may view the U.S. less as a promoter of democratic values and more as a self-interested actor. This shift would not only alter diplomatic relationships but also potentially lead to a realignment of global power dynamics, further complicating international cooperation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Lars. Your insights certainly give our readers much to ponder. How do you think the public perception of this potential reality might spark debate about the future direction of U.S. democracy?
**Melby:** That’s exactly it. I encourage readers to reflect: What would a second Trump presidency say about our values as a nation? Is the acceptance of such a candidate indicative of a deeper crisis in American democracy? These are crucial questions that deserve open and honest debate among citizens.
