Quite a few now see the continued existence of US democracy in question. The 78-year-old Republican defeated Democrat Kamala Harris in a nerve-wracking election campaign. Trump survived Butler’s assassination attempt by a hair’s breadth, the photo of Trump bleeding and raising his fist went around the world and his cry “fight, fight, fight” became the battle cry of his fanatical supporters.
OÖN analysis with foreign policy director Markus Staudinger:
Towards the end of his election campaign, Trump chose increasingly drastic formulations, and inhumane statements about immigrants and political opponents were the order of the day. More than 230 psychologists and doctors then certified that the 78-year-old had “signs of cognitive decline” in an advertisement in the “New York Times” – and denied him any suitability for management tasks.
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Darker, even more violent tone
Trump used the same dark, but even more violent tone, recipe that brought him victory in 2016: While he stirred up anger at the political establishment in Washington and fear of immigrants, he described the USA as a country on the brink of disaster he could save.
Many people remember Trump’s first term in office (2017-21), in which the political newcomer broke the rules of democracy and the rule of law time and again, as a series of affairs and scandals. The result: two impeachment proceedings, three criminal proceedings for, among other things, conspiracy against the USA and finally a conviction for falsifying business documents to conceal a sex affair.
“Definition of Fascist”
His former chief of staff John Kelly says of Trump that he is a politician who fits “the general definition of fascist.” The ex-president has made positive comments about Hitler several times and “certainly prefers the dictatorial approach in government.”
With his political style, Trump has divided the USA like no other. Even though he is despised by many, the advocate of “America First” also has a loyal, sometimes fanatical following, especially among the white working class. The fact that he was still in the dock in May because of his hush money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels did not impress his voters much.
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Who will vote for Donald Trump? Former ORF foreign correspondent Hannelore Veit asked herself this question and traveled through the USA to talk to those who are not obvious Trump supporters.
Convicted of sexual harassment
As a New York businessman, Trump boasted that he could do anything with women. Over the course of his career, the real estate mogul, who is married to ex-model Melania for the third time, has been accused of sexual harassment by many women – and was convicted in one of the cases just over a year ago.
The countless scandals would have cost any other politician their career long ago – but they didn’t stop Trump from making a comeback. Supported by a powerful, arch-conservative lobby and an expensive armada of lawyers, he has so far managed to largely evade the reach of the judiciary and portray himself to his supporters as a politically persecuted person.
Image gallery: Trump claims victory: The speech in pictures
(Photo: JIM WATSON (AFP)) Bild 1/43
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Contempt for establishment
His supporters credit Trump with the fact that during his time in office the economy was stable and unemployment fell to a low. Fueled by the slogans in the online networks, they share his contempt for the establishment in Washington.
And his admiration for autocrats, his closeness to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and his rough treatment of Western NATO allies did not deter many US voters.
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At an age when others have long since retired, Trump is now returning to power as the oldest president in US history when he took office. The former reality star still likes to bask in the spotlight. As president, the 78-year-old now has the big stage to himself again – and, above all, the power to stop the criminal proceedings against him and to defend himself from his election defeat in 2020 avenge his opponents.
I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.
