President Trump’s election campaign and presidency is one that America will always remember. His antics, vocal opinions, and the contribution to the “American Split” will always be remembered. The Divide in America has always been based off of class, social jobs and race, however the divide is beginning to change with Trump’s election. Trump won the election due to winning votes in three swing states, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The win of these states has been focused on the social media beliefs and information. The new divide is based on the internet and social media, where class and cultural tensions can be exaggerated. With this, politicians now rear their campaign towards social media. Campaigns are now not based off of privilege and success, rather “trendy progressive politics” (Hanson 39). With this politicians are able to respond faster with events, comments, and political drama happening in the world. Trump is an example of using social media in connecting with America, he loves to voice his thoughts and opinions through Twitter especially. However, Trump did not win his campaign for this factor. He focused on those who were forgotten in America, the average store clerk for example. Trump is trying to end the division in america, therefore focusing on those in both parties who feel neglected and betrayed. This division within America was drastically seperated with Obama’s presidency. With Obama’s views toward white people and expressing these views have allowed for white citizens to not follow Obama and therefore not vote for him. These people who Obama labeled as “zombies of xenophobic and racist” (55) where the ones denied Obama for presidency, allowing Trump to secure votes from them. Overall, Trump focused on those in America that politicians normally forget about and find as liabilities, with this strategy he was able to win the election and become president.
2 replies on “ERA CH1 A Case for Trump”
This was a good summary of the opening chapter of the book. You did a great job explaining the significance of Trump’s election as well as his process and strategies during his campaign. In particular, the use of social media and how it has become important in politics. This was interesting to read about, as its importance will likely increase during future elections. Furthermore, this can be seen as technology will become more advanced and more people will use it, especially social media, because it gives people a platform to speak their mind and make comments.
I think you make an interesting case as to how Trump got elected. And while I largely agree with it, it might aid your argument to that certain characteristics of Trump’s personality, like his excessive twitter usage, might have actually played one of the largest roles in his election. Tweeting all the time provides a direct and constant communication with his supporters. And while relating to a so-called “forgotten” audience was a large part of his campaign, many found this prospect of constant updates to be reassuring and satisfying. This practice provided an additional element of communicating with the people and normalized Trump, bringing him down to Earth for many of his supporters.