Democratic countries across the globe have rules and standards that govern their elections. In these countries, elections are the hub around which democracy revolves. In nations without democracy, governance often comes from dictators, such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who impose authoritarian rule over their people.
Not long ago, authoritarian leaders like Putin were loathed by Americans. However, during the Trump era, this perception has changed. Trump himself embraces despotic leaders like Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. What is perplexing is that many of his supporters, who previously hated these dictators, seem indifferent to Trump's adoration for them and his friendly communications.
America, with its global military dominance and a democracy that ranks among the best in the world, is hyperbolically referred to as the leader of the free world. With the exception of the Civil War, America’s democracy has maintained stable governance since the inception of the republic. Despite this stability, it is by no means a perfect democracy. The majority vote can be negated by the Electoral College, an anomaly in America’s electoral process that originated from the Northern States granting slaveholding states more voting power. Trump lost the popular vote but won the majority of Electoral College votes to become the 45th president.
The Subversion of America’s Democracy
Despite the shortcomings of America’s presidential election, it has functioned satisfactorily and with reasonable integrity—until 2020. That year, Trump lost the election to Joe Biden and failed to concede, unlike the 44 presidents before him. Following that loss, Trump undermined the election's integrity by promoting his "Big Lie" (that the election was stolen) and inciting the January 6 insurrection.
To say that Trump's presidency was infused with chaos, mismanagement, corruption, scandals, and schemes that compromised democracy would be a gross understatement. Since leaving office in 2021, he has been indicted in three separate jurisdictions: for classified documents in Florida (federal), business fraud charges in New York (state), and 2020 election interference in Georgia and Washington, D.C. (both federal). In the New York business fraud case involving the Stormy Daniels hush money payment, he was convicted on 34 felony counts. His sentencing is still pending and is likely to occur after the election.
Presidential election campaigns are typically unforgiving to candidates who violate the traditional American values that sustain democracy—such as the rule of law, honesty, and patriotism. That Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has a 50/50 chance of becoming president again is beyond comprehension. According to a recent NBC national poll, he is in a dead heat with his opponent, VP Harris.
Choosing between Trump and VP Harris should not be a difficult choice and should be the clearest in the history of presidential elections. On a political spectrum that considers various aspects of their backgrounds (experience, adherence to democratic principles, and character), Trump is at the dangerous end, while Harris is at the not-dangerous end. This is why this election feels weird and devoid of normalcy. The media and the electorate seem to treat it like any other election, focusing on perennial political issues such as immigration, abortion, the economy, and foreign policy. However, these issues pale in comparison to the threat that Trump poses to America’s democracy.
When Did All of This Become OK?
In a different political era—not too long ago—a Republican candidate and former president like Donald Trump, given his record of malfeasance and poor leadership, would not be on the ballot. As a convicted felon, his candidacy is a mockery of the Constitution and a gross contradiction of American traditional values. His litany of scandals and mismanagement are not trivial matters; they represent egregious charges that manifest his attack on America’s democracy, its institutions, and the rule of law.
Sadly, Republicans—even those in Congress who make our laws—have supported and defended Trump, accepting him as their nominee for the presidential election. The evidence against Trump's malfeasance is clear to every American. As he campaigns, he continues to advocate his Big Lie and employs Machiavellian rhetoric that includes retribution against his political opponents, fear-mongering over immigration issues, and racist rhetoric that echoes eugenics and Nazism.
Last week, former president Barack Obama delivered a campaign speech for VP Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania. During his speech, he asked, “When did all of this become OK?” To answer this question, we must recognize that the Republican Party long ago planted the seeds of hypocrisy, racism, and corruption in America’s social and political landscape. When Trump became their new warrior president, it was easy for him to harvest the fruits of those seeds, manipulating them to embark on a transactional relationship with the Republican Congress—“You defend and support me, and I’ll fulfill your political agenda.”
The Vile and Disrespectful Treatment of VP Kamala Harris
America’s political history has been dominated by white men. This white patriarchal dominance persisted from the founding of the Republic until 2008, when Barack Obama became president. That change did not go smoothly for him and was emblematic of the problems inherent in this patriarchal system, where racism is used to maintain dominance.
Today, we see a similar pattern of behavior towards VP Harris that Barack Obama experienced. She is not a newcomer to politics; unlike Trump, who had no political experience, she has served as the Attorney General of California, a senator, a former presidential candidate, and currently the vice president. However, her detractors pretend she lacks the qualifications to be president. This is nonsense; despite entering the presidential campaign late, she has more than demonstrated that she is a bona fide candidate.
Despite the significant disadvantage of starting her campaign late, she has outperformed Trump in raising money, performing better in the polls, and presenting a more coherent plan for the future. Except for the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which has been alleged to be Trump’s agenda, he has failed to articulate a coherent plan or vision for his second term. Trump’s arrogance and disrespect towards VP Harris are beneath ethical and professional decorum. He has called her stupid and claimed she was “born mentally retarded.” Even when she has outperformed him in debates, he continues to disparage her intelligence.
Trump’s Supporters and Defenders Have Abandoned Their Core Mission
It is beyond reason that entities continue to support and defend Trump despite his lack of a real vision for America, a record riddled with malfeasance, and his status as a convicted felon. What is shocking is that these entities are responsible for protecting America’s democracy. They include conservative media (with Fox News as the primary example), Republicans in Congress, and some billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel.
The complicity of Fox News and Republicans in Congress with Donald Trump is deeply disturbing. Fox News, as a media outlet, has a responsibility to inform the public with objective and honest political information. However, their talk show hosts promote misinformation, propaganda, and lies instead. You would think Fox News would have learned its lesson after being fined $750 million in a libel and defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Machines for promoting Trump’s Big Lie.
Fox News talk show hosts act essentially as a public relations group for Trump. They disparage VP Harris, mock her laughter, and ridicule her background to portray her as unfit for the presidency. This mirrors the treatment Barack Obama received during his two presidential campaigns, raising questions about the role of racism in their coverage.
Republicans in Congress have abandoned their constitutional duties, allowing Trump to run amok, saying whatever he wants. He has talked about retribution, suggested using the military as a tribunal to target his enemies, and employed phrases that echo eugenics and Nazism, which have no place in a civilized society.
On November 5, Americans will decide who they want as their president. This election will be a referendum on what America stands for and against. It will symbolize a choice between good and evil. While there is no certainty that Americans will choose good over evil, one thing is certain: if they choose Kamala Harris, the threat to America’s democracy will diminish. If they choose Donald Trump, he will inflict more serious damage to America’s democracy, and he will do it faster than the last time.
Jermel Shim is the author of the recently published book, Two Presidents With Diametrical Character and their Role in Unsettling America (available at Amazon in Kindle and paperback format).