Letters | Why America and the world still need Donald Trump

Name: Final US presidential debate for Trump and Biden covers Covid-19, China and ‘thug’ Kim
Uploaded: 2020-10-29T22:35:12.000Z
Duration: 10 min 8 s
Description: Final US presidential debate for Trump and Biden covers Covid-19, China and ‘thug’ Kim

Like it or not, amid a lack of credible alternatives, Trump offers change and, compared to Biden who represents the archaic establishment, a better chance of institutional and social reform

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President Donald Trump on a phone call with the leaders of Sudan and Israel, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on, in the Oval Office on October 23. Photo: AP

Letters

Published: 6:35am, 30 Oct 2020Updated: 6:35am, 30 Oct 2020

I am neither a Republican admirer nor a big fan of Donald Trump. His persona, full of narcissism and self-congratulation, is the antithesis of what I believe a head of state should be. I would say empathy, openness, virtue and the ability to control one’s impulses are key for any leader. Trump has shown none of these qualities. His only successes have been in foreign policy, lowering unemployment and tax reform.

So why on earth does world politics, and America, still need Trump as president? The answer lies in two parts: first, the workings of democracy and, second, the lack of an alternative.

In 2016, Trump received about 63 million votes. He represented the anti-establishment bloc: those who demanded more action, greater nationalism and change. Whether he has brought positive change may not be relevant. Then, as now, he represents change.

Trump won a democratic election in 2016. This means enough Americans identified with his personality and/or policies to decide he was fit to lead the country. While this may be, in part, due to populist anger, Trump’s presidency has made us universally reassess our views on institutionalism and democracy.

10:08

Final US presidential debate for Trump and Biden covers Covid-19, China and ‘thug’ Kim

This brings us to the second fundamental issue with American politics: the lack of credible alternatives. Make no mistake, the 2020 US election is Donald Trump vs Donald Trump. US voters seem faced with a simple question: “Do you want Trump to remain in charge of America?” This is fundamentally wrong. It completely negates his opponent, the Democrat Joe Biden. Frankly, it could be anyone standing against Trump.

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.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Why America and the world still need Donald Trump

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Like it or not, amid a lack of credible alternatives, Trump offers change and, compared to Biden who represents the archaic establishment, a better chance of institutional and social reform

Letters | Why America and the world still need Donald Trump

Like it or not, amid a lack of credible alternatives, Trump offers change and, compared to Biden who represents the archaic establishment, a better chance of institutional and social reform