Donald Trump’s Victory: A Populist Shift or Just a Bad Dream?
08.11.2024
By Frank Furedi
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election sparked anger and incomprehension among cultural elites. They are losing ground to the populists.
Oh, dear readers, can we just take a moment to savor the chaos? Donald Trump, the man who turned Twitter into his own private soap opera, is back in the Oval Office! And you know what that means? A cacophony of cultural elites in a state of absolute turmoil! It’s like watching a group of cats trying to figure out how to play the piano—hilarious and utterly nonsensical.
When the numbers from Georgia came in at 54 percent to 43 percent, it was about as welcome as a seagull at a beach picnic. CNN’s Jake Tapper looked like he’d just swallowed a bad oyster. You could practically see the gears turning in his brain, trying to process a reality that did not fit his narrative—poor chap.
And let’s not forget Van Jones, who entered meltdown mode live on air. He literally choked on his own words. The poor guy sounded like he was about to toss his newly-acquired CNN cap in the air and head off to the nearest support group for traumatized Democrats. Meanwhile, Joy Reid accused Florida of turning right-wing extremist as if it had just discovered a hidden stash of fascist literature in a garage sale.
The hysteria doesn’t stop there! Oh, no! You see, the establishment has been crying into their lattes ever since Trump first graced us with his presence back in 2016. The media has seemed utterly convinced of their grasp on reality, as if the world were a monologue performed for them, with everyone else relegated to the roles of extras. The sheer volume of their outrage could power a small circus!
The real kicker? The very groups they believed would always back them—the ethnic minorities—are now playing a different tune and universally skipping the Democratic party’s dance floor. Gasp! The betrayal! It’s like watching an unexpected plot twist in a movie where the hero turns out to be the villain all along!
Trump’s popularity among Hispanic voters has left the establishment reeling. It’s the worst setback for identity politics since someone decided to wear socks with sandals. And let’s be real, those elites have been using identity politics like a magician uses a hat: pull out what you want while ignoring the rest! Now, it’s as if the audience has turned and booed the magician off stage. Bravo, but not quite the standing ovation they were hoping for!
Over in Britain, our friends across the pond are also stirring, clutching their pearls at the prospect of this populist renaissance. John Harris from The Guardian must be furiously updating his emergency plans to deal with Nigel Farage’s next act of tweet-induced tomfoolery. Because, if Trump can rise again, what’s to stop the British dragons from awakening? They’re probably considering launching a brand new reality show called “Populism: UK Edition.”
The reality, dear readers, is that a new wave of populism has arrived, waving its arms wildly and shouting, “Look at me!” It may not play out as a musical, but the implications are sweeping across the Western world, and they may well have us all cha-cha-ing toward an uncertain future.
So Europe, take notes! Things are getting spicy, and the only one’s dancing may just be the populist movements trying to find their rhythm amidst all the drama. Let’s buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!
08.11.2024
By Frank Furedi
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election has ignited widespread anger and bafflement among the cultural elite, signaling a significant shift in power dynamics as they grapple with the repercussions of populism.
With the unexpected re-election of Donald Trump, the US political and cultural establishment has suffered one of its most profound defeats in recent history. When the results from Georgia revealed that voters favored the Republican candidate by an overwhelming 54 percent to 43 percent, indicating a potential return to the White House for Trump, the palpable shock was evident. CNN anchor Jake Tapper struggled visibly to process this alarming development, reflecting the confusion and dismay among many in the establishment media.
In a moment of sheer emotion, Tapper’s colleague, CNN commentator Van Jones, was visibly affected when he referred to Trump’s victory as a “nightmare.” His heartfelt commentary highlighted the dread and disillusionment felt by supporters of Kamala Harris, who now face the bitter reality of losing their chance at the presidency. Meanwhile, MSNBC’s Joy Reid, responding live to Trump’s decisive win in Florida, unleashed a fierce critique of the state’s apparent embrace of “right-wing extremist fascism,” portraying the political landscape as increasingly polarized.
The outpouring of hysteria from segments of the mainstream media is mirrored by broader discontent within the establishment. Echoing sentiments from the backlash against Trump’s election in 2016, it is likely that this anger will soon intensify into a fervent anti-populist frenzy. A poignant observation made in a 2016 essay in The Atlantic stated, “Our most pressing political problem today is that the country has failed the establishment, not the other way around.” This frustration resonates with a Foreign Policy columnist’s assertion following Brexit, calling for elites to “rise up against the ignorant masses.” Given the enormity of Trump’s comeback, the sense of betrayal among the elites will only deepen, fostering an environment ripe for backlash.
The condescending attitude towards what they refer to as disobedient masses is compounded by a pervasive sense of incomprehension that grips the establishment. Those entrenched within mainstream media, alongside their counterparts in various public and private sectors, appear utterly bewildered regarding the motivations behind millions of votes cast for Trump; their insular networks filter out diverse perspectives. Many in this elite stratum operate under the delusion that they wield significant control over societal narratives, resting on the assumption that their influence has forged solid loyalty among the populace, barring a few extreme outliers. However, with a significant portion of American voters embracing a worldview that contradicts their own, these elites find themselves scrambling to identify scapegoats for their staggering defeat.
While white Americans have frequently been singled out as the scapegoats for the ascent of populist sentiment, a new dimension has emerged: elites now feel particularly betrayed by the substantial support Trump garnered from ethnic minority voters. This unexpected allegiance has underscored a widespread resistance to the prevailing orthodoxy of identity politics. America’s oligarchic leadership has long relied on a presumption of automatic loyalty, especially from Hispanic and black voters, but the decision by many within these demographics to refrain from supporting the Democratic Party shatters the foundations of using minority groups as mere electoral pawns.
The significant backing Trump received from Hispanic voters marks what could be described as the most severe setback identity politics has encountered to date. The implications of this shift are profound. For decades, identity politics has woven itself into the fabric of elite ideology, serving as a mechanism for the ruling class to assert control over societal narratives. Until now, such concepts have faced little serious scrutiny.
Trump’s triumph has reverberated beyond the shores of the United States, provoking a palpable and hysterical response from elites across the Atlantic. Given recent political developments, such as the moderate success of Reform UK in this year’s British general election, it is no surprise that a climate of unease has developed among the opinion-forming class across the UK. As Guardian commentator John Harris noted in July, “the snake-oil charm of Nigel Farage and Reform UK will have to be contended with – especially if Trump returns to the White House.” With Trump’s imminent return to the White House now more than just a possibility, we can anticipate a resurgence of confidence among populists throughout Britain and Europe. Trump, along with the grassroots movement propelling him, has demonstrated the extraordinary possibilities that can be achieved against seemingly insurmountable odds.
A new era of populism has dawned, heralding significant transformations that will reverberate across the entirety of the Western world. Europe, take heed!
What is populism
**Interview: The Language of Populism and Trump’s Impact**
**Host:** Welcome back to our program, where today we’re discussing Donald Trump’s victory in the recent presidential election and his unique brand of populism. Joining us is political analyst Dr. Emily Ritchie, who has extensively studied populist movements and their implications. Thank you for being here, Dr. Ritchie.
**Dr. Ritchie:** Thank you for having me!
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Trump’s re-election has left a significant mark on the political landscape, particularly for the cultural elites. Why do you believe his language resonates so strongly with a large portion of the American electorate?
**Dr. Ritchie:** Trump’s language is, without a doubt, a key component of his appeal. He communicates in a style that feels raw and relatable, contrasting sharply with the polished rhetoric often used by political elites. For many voters, he seems to speak their truth, touching on frustrations and fears that the establishment overlooks. This is the essence of populism—it champions the voice of “the people” against what they perceive as distant and out-of-touch elites.
**Host:** Absolutely. There seems to be a significant disconnect between Trump’s supporters and the mainstream media reaction. Why can’t some media figures grasp this populist wave?
**Dr. Ritchie:** It boils down to a fundamental misunderstanding of who their audience is. Many in mainstream media operate within echo chambers that reinforce their perspectives, leaving them ill-equipped to comprehend why people would support Trump. When someone like CNN’s Jake Tapper visibly struggles to react to the election results, it highlights how shocking this reality is for them. They fail to see beyond their narratives, which is precisely why we’ve seen such vocal outrage from them.
**Host:** Speaking of outrage, there’s a palpable hysteria among cultural elites. What do you think this indicates about the future of political discourse in America?
**Dr. Ritchie:** The escalation of hysteria could lead to a more polarized environment. As elites feel threatened by the growth of populist sentiment, their reactions may intensify, giving rise to more extreme viewpoints on both sides. This could create a vicious cycle where miscommunication and disdain for opposing views deepen divides. It’s crucial for both sides of the political spectrum to engage in dialogue rather than retreat into their respective corners.
**Host:** You mentioned the unexpected support Trump received from ethnic minority voters. How significant is this shift in the context of identity politics?
**Dr. Ritchie:** It’s incredibly significant. This trend challenges the long-held assumption that identity politics would secure unwavering loyalty for the Democratic Party among these groups. The fact that Trump garnered substantial support indicates that many voters of color feel disenchanted with the establishment’s approach. They are seeking representation that resonates with their personal experiences, rather than what has been dictated by the political narrative. It signals a potential reconfiguration of traditional voting patterns.
**Host:** It sounds like we are witnessing a profound transformation in American political dynamics. With populism on the rise globally, do you foresee similar trends emerging in other countries?
**Dr. Ritchie:** Absolutely. Populism is finding a foothold in various Western democracies, akin to a ripple effect. As people across the globe respond to similar frustrations—economic issues, cultural shifts, and feelings of alienation from the political elite—we may see a greater resurgence of populist leaders and movements. It’s essential for political establishments to reassess their strategies if they want to remain relevant in this evolving landscape.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Ritchie, for your valuable insights into the language of populism and its implications for Trump’s victory. It seems we are in for a tumultuous yet fascinating political era.
**Dr. Ritchie:** Thank you for having me. It’s certainly an intriguing time in politics!
**Host:** Thank you to our viewers for tuning in! We’ll continue to follow the developments in the political landscape and bring you insights and analysis as this narrative unfolds. Stay informed!
