Watching Trump’s victory unfold feels like more than a political moment. It’s as if a mirror is being held up, and what we’re seeing reflected back is unsettling. This isn’t just about Trump versus Kamala Harris, and it’s not just about American politics. It’s something deeper, something that calls for a closer look at the forces driving this shift and the way it’s sweeping across our world.
In the days since the election, I’ve found myself reflecting on why this win feels so significant. It’s not just about the man himself. It’s about what he represents, about the instincts he taps into and the fears he amplifies. Trump isn’t the only one wielding this kind of appeal. All around the world, leaders who speak to our most basic instincts are rising, calling us to join them in a struggle against the “elite,” the “outsiders,” or the “system.” And we’re listening.
Populist leaders like Trump appeal to something primal in us. They offer a sense of certainty in a world that feels chaotic, promising to shield us from what we fear. Figures like Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Marine Le Pen in France, and even the leaders of nationalist movements across Europe have one thing in common. They each offer a sense of protection, a kind of reassuring strength that feels almost like a promise of safety. And now Trump, with the backing of one of the world’s most powerful men, Elon Musk, is taking that narrative to new levels.
Elon Musk’s support has added a new dimension to Trump’s populism. Musk’s influence is felt not only in his tech empire but in his cultural clout. Through platforms like X (formerly Twitter), he has amplified Trump’s message, turning him from just another politician into something closer to a cultural phenomenon. Musk’s involvement brings an air of tech-driven disruption to the whole campaign, reinforcing the idea that Trump’s victory is part of a broader rebellion against the establishment.
This new alliance speaks volumes about the power of media and technology in shaping our perceptions. Trump’s campaign, supercharged by Musk’s backing, embodies exactly what Noam Chomsky has been warning us about for decades. The media doesn’t just report the news. It shapes it. It manufactures consent, not by force but by amplifying certain voices and narratives over others. Trump’s rhetoric, combined with Musk’s reach, creates a narrative that is hard to ignore. It taps into a sense of disillusionment, a feeling that has been building for years, where people are looking to figures outside of the traditional political structure to solve their problems.
But what disturbs me the most isn’t about Trump or Musk as individuals. It’s the way this narrative appeals to something deep within us. It’s the part of us that craves a leader, someone strong who can take charge when the world feels overwhelming. This isn’t a simple matter of “us” versus “them.” It’s not just about aligning with Trump over Harris. It’s about recognizing the power that these leaders have to draw on our collective fears and frustrations, to promise us security, and to make us believe they’re the only ones who can protect us.
This is a trend that stretches far beyond the United States. From Australia to Europe and back to the Americas, people are losing faith in their leaders. The disconnect between the political elite and the rest of us is real. Politicians feel out of touch. They seem focused on their own agendas, insulated from the struggles of the average person. And we, as a result, are looking elsewhere for solutions. This isn’t a new feeling, but it’s intensified in recent years as inequality rises, and it has become harder to feel heard by those in power.
And so, we turn to populist figures. We place our hopes in leaders who promise to challenge the system, who seem willing to fight for the “real people.” But here’s the truth. While the disconnection is real, and the elitism within the political class is a problem, the response we’re seeing—the choice to turn to demagogues—is equally troubling.
As much as it’s tempting to believe in someone who claims to be fighting for us, there’s a fundamental danger in relying on external leaders to solve our problems. Yuval Noah Harari, in Nexus, speaks to this dynamic. He argues that populist figures simplify complex issues, boiling them down to an “us versus them” battle. But real change doesn’t come from looking outward. Real transformation happens when we turn inward, cultivating a strength that can’t be taken away by the next election cycle.
If we want a better world, we need to start by being better ourselves. This may sound simple, but it’s not. It’s about resisting the allure of quick fixes and bold promises. It’s about building resilience from the inside out. We need to stop looking for saviors and start becoming our own source of strength. We need to foster our power, to recognize our capacity to create change, not by handing our faith to a leader but by connecting to the strength within us.
In this moment, I believe the most radical thing we can do is to reclaim our own power. To look inward for guidance, to cultivate our resilience, and to find unity in the face of division. We can resist the urge to turn to populism by strengthening our communities, by choosing to see the humanity in those around us, even in those the media and politicians would have us see as our enemies.
The path forward won’t be easy. It’s not as simple as casting a vote or sharing a post. It requires us to look critically at our own lives, to hold ourselves accountable, and to take responsibility for the change we want to see. This is what I take away from Trump’s victory. It’s not about celebrating or condemning him. It’s about understanding the real lesson here. True power isn’t something we hand over to a leader. It’s something we build within ourselves, and we share it with each other.
In a world that feels more divided than ever, the most revolutionary act we can take is to foster compassion and solidarity. Let’s reject the tribalism that populism feeds on. Let’s turn inward, build our own resilience, and reach out to those around us. When we choose to see the humanity in each other, when we build trust with those we’re told to distrust, we create a foundation of strength that no leader can provide.
This, I believe, is the real answer to populism and to the allure of leaders like Trump and Musk. It’s not about fighting fire with fire. It’s about choosing to step off the path of division. It’s about trusting ourselves, connecting with each other, and strengthening our communities. It’s about realizing that the world we want won’t come from following charismatic figures. It will come from building connections, from understanding each other, and from working together toward something better.
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