Editorial
United States of America has the longest standing democracy on planet earth. Its constitution came into effect in 1789 which begins with “We the People…” like Preamble to the Indian Constitution. The beginning affirms that government must serve its citizens under all circumstances. On the other hand, citizens owe responsibility to maintain the highest ethos of democracy as a way of life but with a sense of commitment and concern. The citizens decide periodically who shall govern them. Accordingly, citizens decided in favor of Donald Trump for the second time after a break of one term, when they gave chance to Democrat Biden.
The presidential election of 2024 was much hyped with loads of speculations doing the round in national and international media about the winnability of Republican Trump against Democrat Kamala Harris. 78 years young Donald John Trump finally defeated 60 years old Kamala Harris in November 2024 to become once again the 47 th President of United States of America. He served as 45 th President of America from 2017 to 2021, and had lost to Joe Biden in the last elections. Trump also delivered a symbolic blow as he won the national popular vote too and swept the Senate and House of Representatives. Trump is the second President of USA to assume non-consecutive office of President after Grover Cleveland in 1893. He chose Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate for the office of Vice President.
Trump by profession is not only a politician but also a media personality, and a businessman and is scheduled to take oath of office on January 20, 2025 as the world’s most powerful executive. He has also been a registered Democratic Party member for about eight years during 2001 to 2009 before turning Republican. He has been the darling of international media for number of reasons and has also been facing cases in the court of law for his alleged involvement in the Capitol Hill violent insurrection incident in the aftermath of his loss of elections to Joe Biden. He was subsequently convicted of felony charges. He also survived two assassination attempts during the course of political campaigns for presidential elections.
Trump has often not been taken as a serious politician for his frequent flip- flopping. He has also been found politically inconsistent. Hence international media is replete with wide range of speculations as to the changes that the global politics is going to witness once Trump assumes the office. He is well known for his protectionist border policies, regressive position on women’s reproductive rights, pro-business, and for campaigning with evangelical Christians. He also supported legalization of drugs in late 1990s. During his last Presidency he also withdrew America from Global Climate Politics and commitments therein. All such speculations make it obvious that world would not be the same under his leadership both within and outside America.
Trump has also earned almost all sorts of criticism, from being an authoritarian, an existential threat, to be a fascist. He has also been alleged to be racist and with an Islamophobic attitude. Trump’s first presidency was full of controversy which continued afterwards as well. The most remarkable of his persona is that age has not been a bottleneck for him. He lost to Biden but fought back with much vigor and vitality to assume the presidential position in ensuing year.
Global politics would certainly take a toss for the Republican Trump has a completely different approach and view of events ongoing in different parts of the globe than that of Democrat Biden: Russia-Ukraine conflict; Israel-Gaza war; border conflict with neighboring countries; are to name a few.
B.K