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If Trump is Re-elected — the Lowlights [1]

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Date: 2023-10-14  

In a not-too-shocking piece, The New York Times reports that former president Trump and his team have been quietly armbending behind the scenes to secure the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

Ken Cuccinelli, a former Trump administration official and founder of a political action committee backing Trump rival Ron DeSantis, said about the Trump team's efforts: "They've rigged it anywhere they thought they could pull it off. No one has tried to rig the rules like Donald Trump has been doing here, at least in a very long time. And no one has ever done it who, in other circumstances, complains about the rules being rigged."

While Mr. Cuccinelli and his non-Trump supporting Republican colleagues are apparently 'shocked' by Trump's backroom wheeling and dealing, the Times's piece raises an interesting question: What would a second Trump presidency look like?

The possibility of ​Donald Trump being re-elected for a second term as president in November 2024 is a disgusting thought to the 88-million-plus of us who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. But, since Trump is diligent about trying to secure the Republican presidential nomination — essentially his get-out-of-jail card if he wins in November 2024 — it is worth touching on a few of the lowlights that would result from a Trump victory.

First and foremost, Trump's re-election would result in deepened divisions and polarization within our society. Trump's divisive leadership style could only further polarize the nation and widen the political divide. If re-elected, his divisiveness would intensify, exacerbating social discord and hindering progress on important issues.

Trump's re-election also would further erode trust in our democratic institutions. His constant attacks on the media labeling it as "fake news," and questioning the legitimacy of democratic institutions, such as the electoral process, eroded trust in the Fourth Estate and democratic governance. A second term could perpetuate this trend, leading to further distrust in institutions and an irreparably damaged democratic fabric. Do we want him to have a chance to appoint more rightwing justices to the Supreme Court, or any other court?

Trump's presidency saw a rise in the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories. He often made false and exaggerated claims, undermining public trust in reliable sources of news and information. Re-election could promote the continued dissemination of false information, leading to deeper societal divisions and further diminish public discourse.

Trump's responses to incidents of racial injustice, such as protests against police brutality, were often seen as divisive and inflammatory. Many accused him of not doing enough to address systemic racism and failing to provide leadership in times of crisis. Who can forget his infamous march and photo op in Lafayette Square during the George Floyd protests in D.C. after police had forcefully cleared peaceful protestors near St. John's Church? A second term would likely further inflame national racial tensions and make it impossible efforts to bridge the racial divide.

Trump's handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic was a catastrophic failure. One of the significant criticisms of his first term was his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial downplaying of the virus, the subsequent lack of a coherent national strategy, and politicization of public health measures contributed to an untold number of cases and deaths in the United States. If re-elected, there is no reason to believe that his administration's handling of future pandemic outbreaks might be any less abysmal, further jeopardizing public health and weakening the nation’s ability to respond to future crises.

Trump's presidency was characterized by frequent policy reversals and inconsistency, creating uncertainty and eroding trust in U.S. leadership. A second term might continue these erratic policy shifts, weakening America's global standing wile producing a lack of stability at home. A close examination of the chaos now consuming House Republicans and highlighting their obeisance to Trump reflects his disdain for governance and his preference for chaos.

While Trump touted economic achievements such as tax cuts and deregulation, critics argue that his policies disproportionately benefited the wealthy and exacerbated income inequality. Re-election would likely perpetuate this trend, further widening the wealth gap and disadvantaging marginalized communities.

Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and rollbacks of environmental regulations were setbacks in global efforts to address climate change. If re-elected, there is a high risk of Trump further neglecting climate change concerns, thus undermining global environmental sustainability and impeding international cooperation for a greener future.

Trump's unconventional approach to foreign policy and his strained relationships traditional U.S. allies significantly damaged America's international reputation. A second term might see further erosion of newly rebuilt alliances, reduced cooperation on global challenges, and diminished U.S. influence on the international stage.

The potential negative impacts of Trump's re-election in November 2024 include social divisions, erosion of trust in institutions, misinformation, racial tensions, handling of domestic and international crises, economic inequality, climate change, weakened alliances, and escalated threats to democratic norms. These concerns should greatly outweigh any possible benefits from a second Trump presidency and highlight voters' decision-making in the upcoming election, as well as voters’ need to consider the long-term consequences for the nation's well-being and future trajectory.

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