Donald Trump, his spirits high at age 78, would soon be heading back to the White House as the 47-th American President – and for a rewarding second term. Trump’s victory this time was more impressive than the first win eight years ago. Significantly, both times he defeated prominent female Democrats – Hillary Clinton, followed by Kamala Harris; the first having served previously as secretary of state and the second as vice president. Trump’s macho image triumphed over the ‘soft’ yet assertive personalities of the two women leaders. His victory this time was significant in several respects. He carried with him all the seven swing states where the battle was principally fought with high heat; and he emerged as the first Republican to win the Popular Vote in a span of the past 20 years. The official declaration of the results on January 6, followed by the installation of the new President and vice president JD Vance, would complete the present electoral process on January 20. Of significance is also the election of six Indian-origin candidates to the House of Representatives and the upcoming elevation of lawyer Usha Chillukuri, the Telugu-origin wife of Vance, as the Second Lady there.
Much significance is attached to the fact that the Republicans have managed to simultaneously gain control over the Senate and the House of Representatives – the two arms of the legislature — alongside the White House, the seat of President. Decision-making would thus be swift and hassle-free. This ‘trifecta’ is a deadly combination in terms of the power those running the establishment can thus wield. Given Trump’s proclivities and temperament, and the Republican’s aggressive approach to global engagements, the next four year could be epoch-making. Tough steps can be in store; and another war at the behest of America could be a natural outcome. The first Trump term had not been as eventful as the world had expected of him. Yet, there were bold decisions as in the recognition the US extended to Israel in designating Jerusalem as the tiny Jewish state’s capital or in holding a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2019. Trump made and unmade treaties – as in the exit from the US-Iran nuclear deal. Make America Great Again (MAGA) was Trump’s slogan in his first campaign push, which has now been superimposed with the slogan, a Golden Age for America.
Trump, a law-breaking business magnate, was an unlikely candidate for the American presidency the first time. He faced worse charges from women he courted in the past. He was impeached by Congress twice while as president. Trump bravely fought against odds and triumphed over adverse situations. He miraculously escaped a gun attack in July. The killer instinct in him, rather, is un-diminishing. It is markedly different from the suave, soft exterior of the outgoing president, Joe Biden.
