A World on Cusp of Trump 2.0

Graeme’s View of Trump
I went back four years to recall my expectations for the 2020 election results in written form—if only to allay my thoughts that the conditions and fears on the eve of the vote were as close and insane as they are today. Yes, “insane,” because Donald Trump was just as prominent then as he is today. The polls showed that in early November of 2020, Biden had about a 10-point lead over Trump. That’s way better than the zero lead Kamala Harris has today against Trump.
In 2020, the world had become well-versed in his narcissism as a rich, whiny bully taking the stage and throwing endless pity parties about being mistreated. “I’ve been treated unfairly,” he proclaims, claiming to be the most persecuted president in U.S. history. Who in their right mind makes such statements? Enabling him then are many of the same characters gunning for him today, including his obnoxious nepo babies and cowed apologist Senators, Reps, Governors, scaredy-cats, tech billionaires, and other weirdos who’ve made the rounds cheerleading or cleaning up his verbal messes. There has been no shortage of this in the current round of electioneering as he hurls insults at opponents—engaging in dirty politics, calling them nasty, stupid, low-IQ’d, or the “enemy within”—while boasting about being the greatest president for African Americans, Jews, Christians, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and most laughable of all women. This delusion is overlooked by many who seem to accept his fabrications as truth.

September 11, 2024
When Americans last cast their judgment on Trump with a resounding “you’re fired,” the disgraceful weeks following the 2020 election had yet to unfold: a series of Trump temper tantrums, misinformation, election interference, the insurrection, and a second impeachment due to his refusal to accept the election outcome, all the while he simply ignored the COVID-19 health crisis. These events culminated in his decision to skip the inauguration of the incoming president, serving as a final insult to both the office and the democratic choices made by the nation. Behaviour that, on its own merit, would destroy any chance for such a person’s return to high office—especially after being given the flush by voters—yet is one of many facts that supporters of Trump in 2024 are willing to ignore.
Returning to 2020, his labelling of COVID-19 as the “China virus” exemplified racist white supremacist fear-mongering against another racial group, which many in the Asian community are willing to overlook as they cast their ballots for Trump. The coronavirus had put people in a grumpy mood. Lest we forget, his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic showcased his contradictions—though it has hardly been raised in this race how wretched a time in world history it was, made needlessly worse by Trump. He openly questioned health experts, sowing distrust while simultaneously taking credit for Operation Warp Speed, a monumental vaccine achievement led by scientists worldwide. His approach to the climate crisis is similarly dismissive and anti-science; he lacked a legitimate plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions then and even withdrew from the Paris Agreement. He gutted environmental protections. He’ll repeat it again if he gets in and turn back the clock on strides made with green energy, perpetuating ridiculous myths he and his ilk spread about rigged weather. His disregard for the planet’s health is yet another truth many choose to ignore, including believers in climate change, whose instincts know the forces of low-information voter denialism are huge, and can be better explained in less rhetorical terms between ballot casts.
In 2020, Trump struggled to come up with an alternative to Obamacare beyond just wrecking it without a suitable replacement plan—something he now ridiculously claims is in the “concepts of a plan” stage. His penchant for dictators has become fully formed, highlighted by his suspicious relationship with Vladimir Putin and laughable accord with Kim Jong-un.

Democraticapolooza 2024
In the years following the Trump presidency, conspiracies, a series of trials, indictments, and a barrage of charges unfolded against him, a litany of disgrace, captured forever for the history books with a Presidential mug shot that he proudly self promoted to raise funds, doggedly preparing for a comeback from exile. He was ultimately convicted as a felon, repeatedly, and found guilty of sexual assault, further solidifying his reputation as a criminal and pathological liar. Yet, the GOP, under his spell goose stepped him as their winning candidate going in the 2024 Election.
The ruling by the conservative-dominated Supreme Court last summer, which potentially allows Donald Trump to avoid trial for his alleged interference in the 2020 election before the upcoming election, has sparked considerable concern about the extent of legal immunity he might possess and its implications for accountability. Meanwhile, Trump continues to promote the narrative that justice in America has been weaponized by Democrats to target Republicans. Many of his supporters are likely to embrace this conspiracy theory, disregarding the apparent political bias reflected in the highest court’s decision.
On the international stage, Trump’s America First rhetoric and aggressive approach to trade have significant implications for Canada. A second Trump presidency would likely place Canada at a disadvantage with penchant to bully national leaders and his love for tariffs, given his track record of prioritizing American interests above all else. Yet, astonishingly, polls indicate that around 21% of Canadians support Trump, a bewildering reality that highlights how some overlook the potential consequences of his policies on their own country.
Further afield in global affairs, Trump and his associates blame Harris and Biden for the death and destruction in Ukraine, despite the fact that it is Putin who is truly responsible for the bloodshed. Similarly, regarding Gaza, they hold Harris and Biden accountable for the tragic loss of 1,500 Israeli lives in a hostage crisis that, in some alternate universe, would never have occurred under Trump’s administration. Arab American voters seem to be embracing Trump’s narrative as they prepare to take action against the Democrats on Election Day, expressing frustration over the lack of response to Benjamin Netanyahu’s disproportionate military actions, which have claimed the lives of up to 50,000 Palestinians and Lebanese since October 7, 2023.

Biden Catastrophe June 27, 2024
As for the deplorable Muslim ban that Trump implemented during his administration, it seems to be forgotten in the minds of many who now align with Trump to blame and punish Democrats for the death and carnage wrought on Palestine by Israel. As if Trump has ever said he cares for the life of even a single Palestinian.
While Harris and Biden have faced criticism for various foreign conflicts, there has been surprisingly little justified backlash against the Biden administration for its disastrous withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan. This pullout allowed the Taliban to regain power and wreak havoc on a nation, effectively undermining years of Western efforts, sacrifice, and support aimed at improving Afghanistan’s future. It is important to note that the groundwork for diminishing American influence was laid during Trump’s presidency. Biden’s actions were a continuation of those termination plans, but reflecting on these decisions highlights how hindsight can provide clarity that was not evident at the time.
The past four years have seen significant challenges in foreign affairs, yet Trump strategists have skillfully shaped perceptions, placing the blame for these conflicts on the Biden-Harris administration. The prevailing narrative suggests that Trump caused no wars and that nothing went awry during his presidency—an assertion that overlooks the reality of the situation. He heightened tensions and created chaos with the North Korean hermit Kingdom then calmed the U.S. relationship by cozying up with Kim Jong Un. The conflict in Syria continued, and Crimea fell firmly under Putin’s control, seemingly with Trump’s tacit approval; yet again, these messy realities are overlooked by Trump apologists.
The Biden administration has encountered significant challenges in addressing border security, particularly amid a politically charged environment leading into the 2024 campaign. Trump and his party have positioned the administration’s efforts as a failure, leveraging a narrative that emphasizes chaos and insecurity at the border. This portrayal is compounded by Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, which often frames Mexican and Latin American undocumented immigrants as criminals, drug dealers, and rapists. Such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes, fostering a climate of fear and hostility towards immigrants.

My first ever drawing of Donald Trump was when I was a student at the University of Ottawa and drew this to headline the Comics page in the March 1, 1990 issue of The Fulcrum.
Despite these challenges, the Biden administration has attempted to pursue bipartisan legislation aimed at improving border security. However, Trump’s influence remains strong, as he has actively discouraged Republican support for these initiatives. By rallying his base against the Biden administration’s proposals, Trump has sought to undermine any potential progress, effectively using the border situation as a political weapon. This toxic mix of rhetoric and political maneuvering complicates the administration’s efforts to create a more effective and humane immigration policy while facing accusations of inadequacy from opposition forces. Again, Trump enablers and apologists fail to realize this or willfully overlook this truth.
Then there’s a matter that hasn’t even been raised in this piece that should, on its own, be yet another point of disqualification: women’s reproductive rights. Trump’s intentions are crystal clear. It’s part of a secret Christian fascist manifesto in Project 2025 that he denies guides him. He may claim the issue is about states’ rights, but his actions have set the stage for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. If you oppose abortion bans, how can you support a party that actively seeks to enforce them? The distinction is unambiguous: Democrats stand for reproductive rights, while Republicans under Trump do not. Yet, half of Americans overlook this reality, often siding with him.
As the New York Times spelled out two Sundays before election day: Donald Trump says he’ll prosecute his enemies, order mass deportations, use soldiers against citizens, abandon allies, and play politics with disasters. There’s no reason not to believe him when he has stated this. He gets away with this behaviour while making a mockery of candidates of the past who’ve committed comparatively minor gaffes and have seen their ambitions unceremoniously sunk. These are among the powers of Trump which half of American voters either look forward to, have simply overlooked, or just plain do not understand.

November 9, 2016 (The morning after)
Trump is notorious for being a sore loser. Despite numerous judicial reviews and recounts, he refuses to accept the results of the last election, claiming it was rigged—part of an elaborate “big lie.” This denialism will likely extend to the upcoming election. Just wait for it; he’ll claim this close race is rigged right from the get-go. To add fuel to this, watch for what happens early on election night, as Robert Reich reminds us of the phenomenon called the ‘Red Mirage,’ which will give the impression of big Republican upsets as rural polls are tabulated, while urban tallies that heavily vote Democrat will take hours longer to come in. Expect Trump to take to the airwaves, spreading doubts about a fair election. Expect a new round of conspiracy theories and chaos. Again, many Americans turn a blind eye to this troubling behaviour.
As we approach this critical juncture in history, it is essential to confront these overlooked truths about Donald Trump. The stakes are higher than ever, not just for the United States, but for neighbouring countries like Canada that could be adversely affected by his return to power. Understanding what is at risk is crucial for everyone involved, but given that time has run out before the votes are tallied, it appears that half of Americans are willing to overlook the realities of Donald Trump. Half of Americans want a return of Donald Trump as their leader. Among those are surely legions of American voters too ignorant at the time of voting to realize how they let this monster become President again. Even if a miracle happens and Kamala Harris wins the Presidency, it probably won’t be a decisive victory as it should, and the dreary days of deep polarization will go on and on and on…
All frighteningly reviewed in this AI generated “Deep Dive” podcast – “lots to unpack” as the robot voices say.
It’s clear through my body of work that I’m no fan of Trump. I’m concerned about the implications of his victory for us here in Canada, particularly regarding the economic impact of tariffs. I dislike how his policies set back progress on women’s rights, the green transition, and efforts to combat climate change. Additionally, I worry about Ukraine and what appeasement towards Putin could mean for Europe.
Those who chose to punish Kamala Harris for the Biden administration’s approach to the Israel/Gaza conflict are in for a harsh reality check regarding Trump’s true stance on the plight of Palestinians.
That said, I appreciate that the election result was decisive. Though complaints come after any vote process, this may put an end to the incessant talk of rigged elections. However, it also means that many people may evade accountability under a deteriorating and rigged justice system.
Donald Trump’s historic return to the presidency brings with it the lofty promise of a “Golden Age for America,” which in short form is GAA, seems to be the making of a new version of MAGA in terms of pledging power and prosperity. However, these expectations come with significant risks: a potential surge in domestic retribution, aggressive policy shifts, and geopolitical upheavals, including his commitment to ending the war in Ukraine on terms that could favour Russia. While his supporters anticipate bold victories, others brace for a tumultuous period where progress may be selective, leaving a legacy shaped as much by exclusion and uncertainty as by any lasting achievements.
I’m reminded of the time when Barack Obama was elected after eight years of difficult times under George W. Bush. There are great expectations surrounding Trump as well. Expect there will be a lot of sycophancy. There’s also a good chance that Donald Trump’s family enrichment that comes with power will be renewed, and as the American majority demonstrated last night it doesn’t seem to concern them.
There will be plenty of introspection for the Democrats, but the GOP will need to reflect as well. After all, Trump is a lame-duck president, and they must decide whether to remain the Trump party or return to traditional Republicanism. Trump no longer needs rallies—he even mentioned that in the wee hours of this morning during his victory speech. Rallies, aside from boosting his ratings, served as a key barometer of his adoring fan base. I’m uncertain how motivated he’ll be in a second term to focus on getting things done without the need to curry favour with his supporters. Regardless of the direction they choose, for the sake of humanity, please stop replaying that Lee Greenwood anthem.
On an optimistic note, he’ll provide me and editorial cartoonists with four more years of material, which will be nice—if he makes it to the end of the second term, which I somewhat doubt.
As I work on a Trump 2.0 for President #47, I leave you with this editorial cartoon I drew for the morning after election 2016. It seems fitting.
– The Graeme Gallery
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