In 2016, Former President Donald Trump won against Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton with a staggering 304 to 227 electoral ratio. Now, after his defeat in 2020, Trump has taken back the crown after winning against Democratic Candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris with an electoral ratio of 312 to 226. Republicans will now have full reign over the presidency, the senate, and the house. What does this mean for democracy, and the future of the United States?
Even prior to the elections, Trump made it clear where he stands on the common questions given to any president. He wants tight, secure immigration, a stable economy, and to strengthen patriotism for the American people. Sounds good, doesn’t it? What president wouldn’t want these for their people?
That’s when people should read the fine print. Choosing a new president is much like buying a new phone, or choosing a new network provider. The commercials offer you great deals like your first year of WiFi free, or the ability to exchange your old 1998 Nokia for the top model iPhone. However, when you go in and sign up for that offer, you’re hit with a giant waiver with tiny, tiny print that’ll tell you all the ways they’ll ring money out of your pocket and screw you over.
Presidential candidates are just the same. Their “approved messages” on televisions and radios are the equivalent to WiFi commercials. They tell you what they’ll do with as little words as possible, keeping their motives vast and broad. Then when in office, they’ll start showing their true colors. Former President Donald Trump has managed to swindle thousands of Americans, and we’re already seeing the effects before he’s even been put in office.
In an article from The Wall Street Journal, Hannah Miao stresses the rise of American companies “squirreling away” money to prepare for Trump’s tariffs against China and other international sources. Many companies are ordering as much merchandise as they can, laying off workers, and beginning to mark up prices to accommodate the 10% international tariff increase, and the 60% Chinese tariff increase. Those cheap $5 products from Shein and Temu you love so much could rise to $8, and even more.
Many Americans admitted that they didn’t know what tariffs were, and are now reaping what they sowed.. According to Google Trends, there was a spike of searches the morning of Election Day on “How to Change (a) Vote(s)” after Trump’s plans were put into the spotlight. Now as a result, both companies and citizens are preparing to deal with the torrent of changes that are soon to come.
It isn’t just companies that have to worry about Trump’s policies. Trump’s team has shown their advocacy for Project 2025, a “Presidential Transition” project that will do more harm than good. Project 2025 groups a series of plans and acts that mirror Trump’s ideologies. These plans include defunding the Department of Education, cutting off healthcare exceptions for hundreds of elderly and disabled persons, and making public spaces less welcoming to women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ communities.
Project 2025’s intentions are masked under broad “facts”, using a facade of patriotism and stars and stripes to entice the common working “American Man”. Donald Trump has tried to negate the blame and suspicion from him onto the Heritage Foundation, the founders of Project 2025, claiming he has nothing to do with the project. Trump’s running mate JD Vance also attempted to part ways with the project, even after speaking highly of it.
Trump’s impending second term isn’t another presidency to gloss over. It’s one that every American citizen should be wary of whether Republican, Democratic, or third-party. Trump’s policies will affect every American of every class, and it is vital that we all stay well-informed.