[Global Issue+] The Driving Force Behind Trump's Election Refusal, 'Trumpism'

Republicans Dragged by Fraudulent Voting 'Mongni'
Trumpism Followers, Core Supporters of American Conservatism
From America First and White Supremacy Agitation to Political Ideology Growth

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The turmoil in U.S. politics during the transition of power continues following President Donald Trump's refusal to concede the presidential election. Despite being unprecedented, protests by Trump supporters are still ongoing nationwide, with even the Republican Party appearing to be swayed by them. This is interpreted as the Republican Party being cautious of the 'Trumpism' faction, which has emerged as its strongest support base.

Trumpism refers to right-wing populism designed around America First on the external front, white supremacy domestically, and conservative evangelical Christianity religiously. Originally, it simply meant agitation. However, as voters who follow Trumpism have risen to become the core support base of the Republican Party, it is expected that the party will find it difficult to politically separate itself from President Trump in the future. Even if President Trump concedes defeat in this election and leaves the White House, as he has said, the possibility of him running again in 2024 is considered quite high.

Trump, the record-breaking loser with 73 million votes... Republicans still need him

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to U.S. political media The Hill on the 14th (local time), supporters of President Donald Trump have gathered in the capital Washington DC, holding protests at various locations including the White House and the Supreme Court. These protests are called the 'Million MAGA March' by Trump supporters, with MAGA standing for 'Make America Great Again,' President Trump's campaign slogan.

Although President Trump was defeated by Democratic President-elect Joe Biden in the election held on the 3rd, he has yet to acknowledge his loss. He continues to claim that he cannot accept the results overturned by mail-in ballots and alleges fraud occurred during the election process. Even the Republican Party is being dragged along by these claims. According to The New York Times (NYT), only 4 out of 53 Republican senators congratulated President-elect Biden on his victory. The Republican leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, maintains a stance of watching the ongoing election-related lawsuits filed by President Trump.

Politico analyzed that the reason the Republican Party has participated in President Trump's obstinacy is because of the voter base of Trumpism supporters who have shown their strength through this election. Senate Majority Whip John Thune also stated in an interview with Politico, "We still need voters who support President Trump. He has tremendous followers." From the Republican perspective, it is difficult to guarantee victories in congressional elections without including Trumpism supporters, who have become the largest conservative support base in the U.S., so they have no choice but to follow his obstinacy.

Although President Trump lost, this election clearly demonstrated how strong his popularity remains. According to CNN, as of this day’s tally, President Trump received 73,076,730 votes in the U.S. presidential election. President-elect Biden, who received about 5 million more votes at 78,607,431, is the record-holder for the most votes ever received by a winning candidate, while President Trump became the record-holder for the most votes ever received by a losing candidate. Only these two politicians have received over 70 million votes in U.S. presidential elections so far. Former President George W. Bush congratulated President-elect Biden on the 8th and remarked, "President Trump received over 70 million votes, which is an astonishing political achievement," adding, "His voice will inevitably continue through Republicans."

'Trumpism' encompassing America First, white supremacy, and evangelical Christianity... evolving from agitation to ideology

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Trumpism, known as the secret to his popularity, was not originally a formally defined term. When President Trump caused a sensation as the Republican candidate in 2016, U.S. media coined the term Trumpism by combining 'Trump' and 'populism,' referring to his provocative rhetoric that stirred right-wing populist agitation against the established political order.

However, during his four years in office, Trumpism has evolved from mere agitation to a core ideology within American politics. According to The Washington Post, Trumpism has become a symbol of American conservatism, encompassing right-wing forces that advocate America First externally, white supremacy domestically, and conservative evangelical Christianity religiously. It especially spread among the white lower-middle class in small towns and rural areas that lost their economic base after the 2008 financial crisis, forming a solid support base.

This period is known as a time when Americans' dissatisfaction with democracy peaked. According to the BBC, a survey published in January this year by the University of Cambridge in the UK showed that satisfaction with democracy among Americans was 75% from 1995 until before the 2008 financial crisis but plummeted to 49% after 2008. The Obama administration and the Democratic Party, which governed before and after the financial crisis, pursued progressive policies such as globalization, openness, and racial discrimination abolition, mainly targeting highly educated urban workers on the East and West coasts. However, they were criticized for neglecting the economic collapse of low-education white populations in rural America. This is analyzed as the reason for growing dissatisfaction with democracy among Americans, and Trumpism exploited this gap.

President Trump is credited with rallying the support of marginalized white voters by promoting the simple slogan "Make America Great Again," strict America First policies, protectionism, and the return of overseas manufacturers. It is also interpreted that President-elect Biden's adoption of the slogan "Buy America" ahead of this election was a benchmark of Trump's manufacturing promotion and America First policies, considering the Trumpism support base.

Ultimately, even if President Trump concedes this election and leaves the White House, he is expected to continue wielding significant influence in American politics. Especially within the Republican Party, he is likely to be called a leading candidate for the next presidential election and lead Trumpism supporters. Depending on how well President-elect Biden handles the upcoming challenges during his term?such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic stimulus, deepening wealth inequality in the U.S., and numerous international issues?Trumpism may either diminish or grow stronger.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.