Will the Real America please Stand Up!

In an earlier column I argued that one of the important unintended contributions of Donald Trump’s presidency is that it will force America to define itself and to get a better understanding of who it is and what it stands for.

This will certainly be played out in full force come the November elections. Some of the institutions that were supposed to make America an exceptional country are truly tainted. The Supreme Court has justices that are corrupt and motivated and driven by partisan politics. Not only the Supreme Court, but the full Justice system. Some, perhaps most of them, feel that they owe an obligation to the president that got them elected. There is today a strong belief that if Trump regains the presidency, two of the older judges will resign, giving the president the opportunity to appoint two new and younger judges of their ilk allowing that thinking, that ideology, to prevail for a long time.

It is my view that many or most of Trump’s supporters have become such because they appreciate the fact that he says openly what many of them believe- sharing a strong sense of racism and xenophobia. They cling to many of his utterings that will appal most honest and decent persons who stand by moral principles and for the welfare of their country. His many legal battles, including his recent conviction on 34 felony counts, the fact that he was twice impeached, that he was found liable in 2023 for sexual abuse and defamation, and this year for financial fraud, mean little to that group I call the ‘Trumpites’. In fact, it brings them closer to him. He tells them “If they can do this to me, what do you think they will do to you? I am your protector.” They shout and ask him to make America great again! (Among them some Black Clowns!

The other institution that has lost its way, or perhaps found its way, is Congress, with the likes of Marjorie Taylor Green, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Ted Cruz, Lindsay Graham and a host of others. Many of those who are solidly behind the former president are ones who on January 6, believed that he was heavily involved in what appeared to be a political coup. Well, perhaps a bad term because coups only happen in “shit…. countries”, as Trump calls them. The fact that Trump has captured the American Republican party’s base, has brought many Republican Congress members close to him, even those who were once critical of him.

So, he comes before them as he will be doing shortly, to urge them to help to elect him so that he can make America great again. In his mind and those who follow him, America was great when minorities were controlled and remained in the background. To them the America they always knew was slipping away from them. Unfortunately, the America they knew was built on many myths. Didn’t the US Declaration of Independence state that “all men are created equally!”

On the other side is the 81-year-old Joe Biden, considered by many to be too old to take on the office of the presidency for another four years. But if Trump is elected, within three years he would have reached the age at which Biden is, at present. We must always remember that the US had always been critical of leaders they felt were too old to hold offices, among them Fidel Castro and Mao Tse Tsung, 82 and 83 years respectively. It is true that the presidency takes a huge toll on the person occupying the Office. One sees that clearly with Barrack Obama.

Biden claims to be fighting for democracy and is considered a decent human being. The Palestinians will say otherwise. He is unquestionably complicit in the murder of thousands of Palestinians, including children. He provided financial aid and supplied weapons and other logical support to Netanyahu in his destruction of Gaza and Rafah. He is guided by his view that Israel has a right to defend itself. The death of thousands of Palestinians seems to be the price that must be paid for Israel’s right to defend itself and to control and seemingly, occupy lands that do not belong to them. Many efforts for a ceasefire agreed to by most countries of the world came to nothing because of the lack of American support. As I write, a new, belated ceasefire put forward by the US has passed the Security Council. Russia abstained but agreed not to veto it. We wait to see what will follow and to be clearer on Israel and Hamas’ position. We have to ask America, why now?

Will Biden, if he is elected, be able to satisfactorily carry out his work. One of the problems with the US is that it sees itself as the ‘World’s Policeman’ and becomes involved in whatever is happening in virtually anywhere in the world, since it considers that its interests are being threatened. The president also has to deal with the fact that his beloved son Hunter, has been found guilty on three serious charges. The president vows not to interfere but will this affect him emotionally and psychologically.

The blurb on the jacket of the book, ‘Myth America’ states, “Distortions of the past promoted by partisan pundits and politicians have led many to believe in fictions over facts, making constructive dialogue impossible and imperilling our democracy.” Democracy in the US is seriously under threat. Americans have a hard choice to make come November. It has found itself between a rock and a hard place. Their choices will say a lot about the country but what follows might significantly redefine or perhaps define America.

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian