Political nail in the coffin – The performance that cost Harris the US election

When Donald Trump announced his re-candidacy two years ago, he stood alone on stage. The storming of the Capitol isolated him politically. In the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans celebrated successes by distancing themselves from him and his brash rhetoric. The Trump brand faded.

What started as a solo effort ended with a landslide victory over Democrat Kamala Harris. At his victory celebration in Palm Beach, Florida, the former outcast could barely contain his excitement. “Isn’t that strange?” even Trump recognized a certain irony.

The demagogue has regained social acceptance and shared the stage with dozens of people: his family, campaign strategists, conservative pop culture phenomena. Even a golf professional wanted to enjoy his success. How could this happen?

The US has traditionally had a heart for outsiders. But this election was decided without personality cult and ideological trench warfare. Ultimately, Americans mainly move what is in their wallets – and that has been (over)used lately.

Runaway inflation caused by the pandemic and global conflicts hit the middle class in particular. Food prices soared to absurd levels as the economy boomed. In the US the phenomenon is called “vibecession”. The feeling of becoming poorer, even though all the figures contradict this.

According to an August Gallup poll, 63 percent of Americans think their economic situation has worsened. For the majority of people, the direction is no longer the right one. Trump’s victory is a heavy reckoning for the Biden-Harris administration. Political observers are certain that his impressive return was made possible because the Democrats failed to deliver the unity and prosperity as promised.

A performance as a political nail in the coffin
People’s financial concerns were taken lightly until the end. The moment of Harris’ defeat can be defined quite precisely. In early October, she was asked on the talk show ‘The View’ whether she would have done anything differently than President Biden over the past four years. Her answer resonated – which has become rare these days – through all the filter bubbles.

“Nothing comes to mind… and I was involved in most of the decisions that had an impact.” A slap in the face for everyone who can’t make ends meet at the moment.

Republicans benefited from Harris’ failures
A real treat for the Republicans, who allowed Trump to talk endlessly about bacon prices during the election campaign. “There you have it, folks,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said. If you vote, expect four more years of the same thing: inflation. Border crisis. Crime. War. Chaos. Insight. Only President Trump will bring CHANGE!” The fact that higher prices were mentioned first in their list is no coincidence.

For example, Trump has announced that he will eliminate taxes on tips and overtime to support waiters and other service workers. Economists can often predict that his announced customs policy will likely increase prices even further. The American feeling that life under Trump was more affordable persists. Even the request to take external factors into account does not change the price tags in supermarkets.

Population issues bill
Americans expressed their frustration with their votes, putting their personal finances above issues of personal virtues or democratic values. Republican strategists also use this to explain Trump’s successes among Latinos.

History has shown that financial concerns, which are always accompanied by fear of loss of status, pave the way for shady actors. Inflation is eroding standards of value, and not just in the US. The electorate has now given the Democrats their comeuppance. Your prize: Donald J. Trump.