Trumpism; Beyond Trump, the birth of a crisis-making discourse in American politics – Mehr News Agency | RCO News Agency

TheMehr News Agency, International Group: The emergence of “Donald Trump” as a figure outside the traditional structure of American politics was a turning point in the country’s political developments. He, who was known for his business and media background, was able to challenge many of the conventional rules of political competition and enter the White House in the 2016 election with the slogan “Make America Great Again”. During the first administration, his specific style of governance and rhetoric became the basis for the formation of a current that quickly crossed individual boundaries and turned into a socio-political phenomenon called “Trumpism”; A current that has shown itself with more intensity and depth in the second term of the presidency (2024 until now).

Trumpism is actually more than just a reflection of Trump’s personality, it is a combination of right-wing populism, extreme nationalism, anti-eliteism, and distrust of the traditional institutions of American democracy. This movement was able to create a new identity for a large part of the American society by mobilizing the masses dissatisfied with globalization, immigration and socio-cultural changes. Therefore, many analysts believe that Trumpism is a “sustainable movement” that is not tied to the presence or absence of Trump and has been established as a deep-rooted discourse in the American political and social structure.

In other words, Trumpism now functions more than an “individual governance style” as a political ideology that has specific coordinates: from giving priority to the policy of “America First” (America First) and opposing globalization to directly challenging the media, liberal institutions, and multilateralism values.

Accordingly, a detailed understanding of the dimensions of Trumpism is necessary for the analysis of the future of the domestic and foreign policy of the United States, because regardless of Trump’s position in power, this trend is still the driving force of an important part of American political and social forces.

Coordinates and characteristics of Trumpism

1. Extreme nationalism and “America first” policy

Trumpism rests fundamentally on the idea of ​​restoring greatness to the United States through a singular focus on national interests. The “America First” policy meant moving away from multilateralism, ignoring international commitments and redefining relations with traditional allies. The trade war with China, the threat to withdraw from NATO and the formal withdrawal from the Paris Agreement were examples of this approach. In this framework, Trumpism relies on a kind of modern isolationism, which, unlike the traditional American foreign policy, marginalizes the globalist view.

2. Anti-elite and anti-media political system

One of the main pillars of Trumpism is the continuous attack on the political, economic and media elites. Trump repeatedly targeted the “Washington Swamp” (Washington’s corrupt bureaucratic political environment) and presented himself as a representative of “ordinary people” fighting against a corrupt and unaccountable system. This anti-systemic view included both Congress and the judiciary, as well as the mainstream media, which he repeatedly called “the enemy of the people.” Such discourse fueled widespread mistrust in society and brought political polarization to a peak.

3. Economic populism and opposition to globalization

Focusing on the white working class and workers in traditional industries, Trumpism promotes a kind of economic populism that is at odds with globalization trends. The slogan of returning jobs to America, withdrawing from multilateral trade agreements and increasing tariffs on imported goods are among the specific policies of this current. Indeed, Trumpism presents itself as a response to many Americans’ sense of “losing” in the global economy.

4. Anti-immigration and white identityism

One of the most prominent aspects of Trumpism is the strict immigration policies and the emphasis on the cultural superiority of the white American society. The border wall with Mexico, the ban on the entry of citizens of some Muslim countries, and the creation of narratives about the threat of immigrants to the security and economy of the country, are the tools that this movement uses to strengthen its social base. This approach has deepened the racial and cultural divides in America and has led to the strengthening of a kind of exclusive identityism.

5. Media and digital politics

Trumpism has relied on the power of the media and social networks more than any other political movement in America. Using Twitter and other platforms, Trump has not only been able to connect directly with millions of supporters, but has succeeded in creating alternative narratives to the mainstream media. This method of digital politics has transformed the structure of political communication in America and turned it into one of the main factors in mobilizing fans, as we saw during the incitement to riot on January 6, 2021.

6. Authoritarianism and distrust of liberal democracy

Trumpism has features of authoritarianism; From trying to personalize power and disregarding independent institutions to questioning the legitimacy of elections. Trump repeatedly described the democratic process as distorted and the result of the 2020 election as fraudulent. These behaviors fueled the crisis of legitimacy in American democracy and showed that Trumpism is unwilling to accept institutional limits and liberal rules.

One of the most important consequences of Trumpism in the domestic arena was the fundamental transformation in the Republican Party. The party, which for years was based on the traditions of classical conservatism, interventionist foreign policy and free market economics, moved towards a nationalist and anti-establishment populism under the influence of Trump. Traditional leaders were either marginalized or forced to accept Trump’s line in order to survive. As a result, the Republican Party is today more than ever defined by the identity of Trumpism, and even in Trump’s absence, many of its policies and key figures continue to be influenced by his discourse.

On a social level, Trumpism has greatly deepened America’s political and cultural divides. The society was increasingly divided into two opposing poles: one pole that sees itself as the inheritor of traditional values, white nationalism and anti-immigration, and the other pole that emphasizes liberal values, multiculturalism and multilateralism. This polarization is reflected not only in the field of politics, but also in daily life, media and even social relations of citizens.

On the other hand, Trumpism intensified the crisis of trust in American political structures with continuous attacks on democratic institutions. Discrediting the media as the “enemy of the people”, questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 elections and insisting on the existence of “massive fraud”, dealt heavy blows to social capital and public trust. The attack on the Congress was a clear symbol of this crisis; The moment that showed how a political trend can challenge the basis of the so-called democratic rules.

Beyond official politics, Trumpism redefines America’s cultural and social identity. This movement managed to create a new kind of identitarianism in which the “real American” citizen is reduced to white, Christian and nationalist. In contrast, racial minorities, immigrants, and liberal groups were increasingly defined as the “other.” Such a development not only made the national dialogue more difficult, but also brought the concept of citizenship in America into a deep crisis.

The Global Consequences of Trumpism

The emergence of Trumpism in American foreign policy changed many traditional equations of the international system. The slogan “America First” meant a clear retreat from multilateral commitments and a focus on short-term national interests. The withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, the unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA, the reduction of support for institutions such as the World Health Organization, and even doubts about the commitment to NATO, were signs of this change in direction. These actions showed that America is less willing to play the role of “leader of the liberal world order” in the era of Trumpism and appears more as a bargaining power.

In relations with world powers, Trumpism has intensified tensions. As the main rival of America, China is facing unprecedented commercial and security pressures and the relations between the two countries have entered a stage of strategic competition. On the other hand, the European Union and the traditional allies of the United States have faced growing distrust towards Washington; Because Trump’s transactional approach has challenged the basis of stable alliances. These developments have caused many American allies to think about more strategic independence in the security and economic fields.

Trumpism has also had far-reaching consequences at the discursive level. By legitimizing right-wing populism, this trend has inspired similar movements and leaders in other parts of the world; From Brazil and Europe to parts of Asia. Emphasizing nationalism, dealing with immigration and skepticism towards international institutions has become a global agenda rooted in Trumpism discourse. As a result, the global legacy of Trumpism is not only summed up in official American policies, but also reflected in the formation and strengthening of a new wave of nationalism and authoritarianism in the contemporary world.

The prospect of Trumpism

The future of Trumpism cannot be tied solely to the fate of Trump himself. Due to its roots in social divisions, economic dissatisfaction and cultural changes, this movement has found a capacity beyond an individual leader. Even if Trump leaves politics entirely, many Republican leaders and right-wing currents in America will continue his legacy. The structure of the Republican Party has been virtually redefined by this discourse, and the powerful social base that Trump mobilized will continue to be a defining force in American politics.

From the perspective of international developments, Trumpism has been able to create a global discourse that has fueled the strengthening of populism, extreme nationalism and authoritarianism in different countries. Thus, even if the United States returns to more traditional policies in later periods, the global reverberations of Trumpism will remain. In fact, this trend is more than a “passing moment” in American politics, it acts as a stable process whose effects will continue inside and outside the United States.