“Madame President” would have been my preferred title. Not today, not yet.
Donald Trump is once again the President-Elect of the United States, set to take office as the 47th president. Unlike in 2016, this time, I’m not shocked. Though I hoped for a different outcome, today’s reality feels less jarring. However, I am deeply concerned about how the divisive rhetoric on both sides may continue to impact race relations in America.
In an attempt at political analysis, I’ll outline the factors that I believe contributed to Trump’s victory. These insights may reflect more on the political climate than hard realities, but they highlight key sentiments among American voters, IMHO.
Kitchen-Table Economics
For most Americans, economics remains a fundamental issue. Over the past four years, inflation and rising costs have burdened households, leaving many struggling to keep up. Homeownership feels increasingly out of reach, and many people blame the Biden-Harris administration for this strain on their finances. When financial stability is threatened, voters look for change, even if that means returning to Trump.
Trump Not a Threat to Democracy (maybe)
While some view Trump as a risk to democratic values, many voters didn’t resonate with accusations of fascism or authoritarianism. They saw these claims as politically exaggerated, choosing to rationalize Trump’s antics and instead focus on more immediate concerns. Only time will reveal whether these beliefs were well-founded.
Perception of Democratic Neglect of Rural America
Trump’s popularity in rural regions, along with some urban gains, reflects a sentiment that Democrats overlook rural communities’ unique needs. To many in these areas, the Democratic platform seems distant, focusing on issues that feel removed from their daily lives.
A Conservative View on “Unfair” Advantages
Conservative voters often perceive Democratic policies as disproportionately benefiting certain demographics—such as urban residents, minority groups, or the college-educated—while leaving others overlooked. They see this in policies on criminal justice reform, immigration, and student-loan forgiveness, interpreting them as favoring certain groups over broader constituencies.
Religious Voters Feeling Overlooked
For religious Americans, particularly Christians, Trump felt like a defender in an increasingly secular political landscape. Despite his moral flaws, Trump’s stance on religious freedom and his role in overturning Roe v. Wade solidified his position as an ally for these voters.
Identity Politics
While racism, xenophobia, and other prejudices are very real issues, it’s a mistake to assume people vote based on identity alone. Identity groups are not monolithic; they contain diverse views and values. Although policies addressing inequities are important, focusing too narrowly on identity may no longer effectively resonate with a broad voter base.
Persistent Sexism in Politics
Cultural biases against women in leadership remain an unfortunate factor. While Kamala Harris may have been a stronger candidate (theoretically), gender biases—especially against women of color—still influence public perception. Trump’s machismo and bold persona appealed to voters uncomfortable with shifting gender norms and/or interested in perpetuating “traditional” male hetero-normative roles.
The Message and the Listener
A winning campaign requires a message that is simple, understandable, and relatable—one that resonates with the daily lives and concerns of voters. And equally important is the willingness of the audience to listen to the message. I’m not confident Kamala’s message met the definition of simplicity and “relatability”. But even if it did, by the time she entered the campaign most “listeners” had already tuned out or decided there was only one message they wanted or needed to hear.
Fear as a Political Tool
Fear-mongering and systemic propaganda were influential tools in Trump’s victory, particularly in shaping views on immigration and transgender rights. By framing immigrants as threats to economic stability and national security, and portraying transgender policies as disruptive to traditional values, Trump’s campaign tapped into voters’ fears and amplified them through consistent (and egregious) messaging. Other than calling out racism and transphobia, Democrats’ messaging did very little to address legitimate concerns on immigration and unfounded claims about transgender individuals.
These factors only scratch the surface of Trump’s win, and more nuanced voices may expand or challenge this view. However, this election underscores that we live in a democracy, and the American electorate has spoken. For now, I’ll give the President-Elect the benefit of the doubt, hoping that our fears won’t materialize and that leaders will reflect on what truly matters to Americans and the future of our democracy.