The Return of Trump: America’s Pendulum Swings To The Extreme Right

New Delhi: Americans, as a civilization, have an undeniable penchant for extremes. Whether it’s the biggest, the smallest, the oldest, or the newest — America’s identity thrives on the superlative. From towering skyscrapers to massive national parks, and even in its cultural output (think Hollywood blockbusters), the American ethos often takes things to their limits. It should come as no surprise, then, that the return of Donald Trump to the White House is a perfect manifestation of this national impulse for extremes. It’s the culmination of America’s political pendulum, swinging from one extreme to another — the ultimate Trumpist victory.

America, in 2024, has never been redder. From the White House to the Senate, the Congress to the Supreme Court, the Republicans, aligned with Trump, dominate the entire political apparatus. The pendulum has swung so far to the right that it’s hard to remember the era of the Obama's Democrats, or even the centrist Clintons. This is a moment when the political extremes of the past decade are finally meeting in a full, almost grotesque collision. For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction, and the election of Trump reflects this seismic backlash against the progressive agenda pushed by the Democrats.

The Extremes of the Left: An Overreach

The Democrats, over the last decade, have pushed America into uncharted territory with policies that many see as out of touch with the concerns of everyday citizens. The rise of gender-neutral bathrooms, the imposition of gender identity choices on infants, the defunding of police, and the embrace of radical climate change policies have alienated large swaths of the population. There’s also the relentless push to allow biological men to compete in women’s sports — all under the banner of queer inclusivity. To some, this was an overreach that contradicted the very essence of American masculinity, which was once portrayed in Hollywood’s action films like ‘Top Gun’  and ‘Rambo’.

Even in the face of Trump’s mounting legal troubles, Democrats failed to grasp the cultural angst brewing in pockets of American society. The backlash against what many saw as an attempt to emasculate the nation’s identity was building for years, waiting for an outlet. That outlet arrived in 2024, in the form of Trump’s return. Democrats thought that Trump’s character — his boorishness, his criminal convictions — would turn the tide in their favor. What they failed to recognize was the deepening sense of cultural and political alienation among working-class Americans. The success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ in 2022, a film that celebrated American ruggedness and military heroism, exemplifies this yearning for a return to something more traditional and unapologetically masculine.

The Rise of Populist Forces: A New America?

In the face of rising cultural liberalism, American corporations have quietly adapted. The shift from an educational system obsessed with degrees to one focused on ‘skills’ before a degree reflects this larger societal shift. Over 300 Fortune 500 companies now embrace this new ethos, signalling a quiet revolt against the credentialism that has long dominated the American corporate world. Meanwhile, the media, once a force for shaping the narrative, finds itself increasingly irrelevant in the face of alternative platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast — where Trump gained a platform to speak directly to his base, bypassing mainstream media altogether.

Elon Musk’s rise is another key indicator of this shift. In 2021, he was snubbed by the Biden administration at an electric vehicle summit, but by 2024, he had become one of the most influential figures in shaping the outcome of the election. Whether you like him or not, Musk’s ascent is a direct reflection of the new America — one in which the old political elites are being bypassed in favor of powerful individuals with the ability to shape public discourse. Trump’s own acknowledgment of Musk in his victory speech — “A star is born” — is a fitting tribute to the shifting dynamics of power.

The Cultural Clash: P-Nut and the Squirrel That Haunted the Left

In the lead-up to the election, the absurdity of American politics reached new heights with stories like the euthanasia of a pet squirrel named P-Nut. While one might dismiss it as trivial, the outpouring of internet outrage over the killing of the squirrel became emblematic of the kind of cultural divide playing out in American politics. The P-Nut saga, with its surreal undertones, highlighted the disconnection between the liberal elite and the frustrations of ordinary Americans. As P-Nut’s image went viral, the Democrats’ smugness, their sense of moral superiority, was laid bare. For many, this incident typified the elitism that had come to define the modern left.

A Nation in Decline: America's Role in a Multipolar World

Beyond the political drama, there’s a more somber reality unfolding. The U.S., once the unipolar leader of the world, is now grappling with its declining global influence. While it was once the undisputed global superpower, America now faces a multipolar world where China is challenging its dominance, Europe is mired in its own existential crises, and Russia is no longer willing to bend to Washington’s will. The U.S. has shifted from a position of global leadership to one of reactive, transactional power. Trump’s brand of isolationism, reflected in his talk of oil independence and withdrawal from foreign entanglements, signals a significant departure from the internationalist policies of the past.

A ‘Trumpist’ America would likely turn inward, focused on protecting its own interests and withdrawing from global conflicts. This could mean a reduction in American military presence abroad, a harder stance on trade, and a more insular approach to foreign policy. For nations like India, this could mean both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, Trump’s administration may prove more sympathetic to India’s national security concerns, particularly in relation to Pakistan and China. On the other hand, a Trump-led America might press countries to choose sides in its energy battles, pushing them to buy more U.S. oil over Russian alternatives.

The World Moves On: What’s Next for America?

Ultimately, the United States is in the throes of a societal convulsion. Its long period of global dominance is waning, and the internal fractures that have been building for decades are now bursting to the surface. As the pendulum swings back to the right, Trump’s victory signals that American politics, culture, and identity are in flux. The world is watching, and it will move on, as it always does.

For India, and for the rest of the world, this era of Trumpism will bring both challenges and opportunities. The global order is shifting, and America is no longer the uncontested leader it once was. How the U.S. navigates its internal divisions and external challenges will shape the future. But one thing is certain: America’s love affair with extremes — whether in politics, culture, or power — shows no sign of slowing down.