Arnab Ray, New Delhi: Donald Trump is back and this time he has also won the popular vote in the US elections. It’s time for progressive Democrats to turn from sadness to acceptance, and if they want to win the next election they will have to show wisdom. Why does Trump win, and that too by a widening margin? A major reason is the imposition of identity politics on America, that too a country which is built on the principle of individual freedom. Movies, TV, business, newspapers, universities, and now social media have together brought this idea into the soul of America. These ideas now decide what is right and what is wrong. That’s why Elon Musk bought Twitter (now X), to establish a new narrative to the contrary. Only history will tell what role they will play in the 2024 elections.
What is identity politics?
The foundation of identity politics is that some identities should be respected and promoted, while others should be destroyed. The only way to atone for those with mistaken identities is to step back, let others lead the way, and apologize for their mistakes. Anyone who opposes this ideology is shamed with labels such as ‘Nazi’, ‘white supremacist’, ‘racist’, ‘misogynist’ and ‘incel’. In this age of social media, whoever controls your feed and searches controls the truth. There is no option to remain silent, because remaining neutral is considered to be supporting evil.
Trump and his family were targeted
Democrats have been in power for the last four years, yet only Trump and his family were targeted. Biden-Harris are most criticized for their age and laughter. Before the election, Kamala Harris herself appeared in the episode of Saturday Night Live, where she was praised. Trump, on the other hand, was ridiculed on every channel, not just for his words or actions, but also for his weight and the size of his genitals. But no one would dare make such a joke about the people on the other side.
‘The real Nazis can now hide easily’
How can you get away with abandoning any pretense of objectivity in popular media? How are the norms and safe spaces of humor appropriate for one party and not the other? The answer is by blaming the other party. Once this happens, any unequal treatment is no longer unethical. The problem with calling everyone a Nazi is that the real Nazis can now easily hide. If everyone is casteist or anti-women, then what is the importance of these words? People are afraid to express their views, but they vote in large numbers in favor of Trump.
Important advice to Democrats
Democrats are advised to move away from leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and adopt a middle path. They should return to the old liberals like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. There is another problem of identity politics. No matter how many times you say that it is immoral for certain groups to play identity politics, there will come someone who will unite them on the basis of their identity. And once the majority embraces their identity, which is just a matter of time, you won’t like what you see or their power.
Progressive Democrats will learn a lesson from their mistake
People are more complex than the labels that are placed on them. Calling those who disagree with you “disgusting” (as Hillary Clinton said) and “trashy” (as Biden said) won’t win you votes. Progressive Democrats will not learn from their mistake. On a popular TV program called ‘The View’, where the panelists are only women, a panelist reported that 97% of Latino voters in a district in Texas voted for Trump, 75% of the vote. To this, another ‘progressive’ panelist replied that he voted for Trump because he is anti-women.
‘Latino Americans are bad because they voted for Trump’
Latinos are American citizens, and in this case, residents of border cities. They consider illegal immigration a threat to their security, jobs and civic amenities. They consider themselves legal American citizens, which they are, and their concerns are like those of anyone living in those circumstances, no matter their race or gender. Democrats view Latinos the same way, based on their identity. Because they voted for Trump, they are bad, and because they cannot be labeled racist in this context, they are being labeled as misogynists.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on Trump’s Popular Vote Success
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon everyone. We’re here today with Dr. Emily Carter, a political analyst and expert on election dynamics, to discuss the recent article by Arnab Ray that suggests Donald Trump has not only returned to the political scene but has also won the popular vote in the latest US elections. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter.
Dr. Emily Carter (DEC): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: The article speaks about the Democrats needing to shift their approach in the wake of Trump’s success. What do you think is behind Trump’s widening margin of victory?
DEC: It’s a complex issue, but a central theme is the rise of identity politics in America. Many voters feel that this approach has alienated them. It places emphasis on group identity over individual freedom, which is a core value of the American ethos. This may create a backlash, leading individuals to rally around a candidate like Trump, who positions himself against those dominant narratives.
TNE: The article mentions that identity politics imposes a rigid framework on societal engagement. Can you elaborate on why this is becoming a contentious issue?
DEC: Sure! Identity politics can often lead to exclusionary practices, where certain viewpoints are marginalized or even vilified. The article references how those who criticize this ideology can be labeled with terms like ‘Nazi’ or ‘racist’, making rational discourse difficult. This not only fosters division but also silences dissenting voices, which can push people towards candidates who promise a different narrative—like Trump.
TNE: It also touches on the impact of social media in shaping these narratives. How significant do you believe platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are in this context?
DEC: Social media plays a critical role in shaping public perception and discourse. As the article points out, those who control the narrative on these platforms can heavily influence what gets labeled as ‘truth’. The purchasing of X by Elon Musk appears to be a move towards decentralizing that narrative and providing an alternative to mainstream views, which many believe are biased. This can energize Trump’s base while disillusioning moderators.
TNE: The author suggests that the Democrats should pivot from leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to more centrist figures. Why do you think this could be beneficial for their future elections?
DEC: I think the article raises a valid point. By appealing to more centrist values reminiscent of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Democrats might be able to reclaim voters who feel alienated by the extreme polarization. Acknowledging the concerns of the moderate electorate could create a broader appeal, thereby countering some of the sentiments driving voters towards Trump.
TNE: There’s a notion in the article that calling out extremist behavior dilutes the seriousness of actual extremism. How does this impact the political landscape, particularly with regard to voter perception?
DEC: That’s a critical takeaway. When terms like ‘Nazi’ or ‘racist’ are thrown around indiscriminately, it not only diminishes the weight of those accusations but also breeds skepticism among voters. People start to tune out the warnings, which in turn can foster an environment where the actual extremists can operate unnoticed. This disconnect may compel those feeling cornered by political correctness to voice their support for Trump more openly.
TNE: what advice would you offer to political parties, particularly the Democrats, as they gear up for the 2024 elections?
DEC: They must focus on unity and inclusivity, fostering dialogue that allows differing viewpoints to coexist. Acknowledging the concerns behind the rise of Trump-like figures rather than dismissing them outright could help rebuild trust with the electorate. Emphasizing policies that resonate with individual values rather than collective identities may also prove to be a winning strategy.
TNE: Dr. Carter, this has been an enlightening discussion. Thank you for sharing your insights on such a pertinent topic.
DEC: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure, and I hope to see how these discussions evolve as we approach the elections.
TNE: Absolutely. Thank you to our audience for tuning in, and we look forward to continuing this dialogue in future segments.