art by Unitas
by Saira Viola
Have we normalised extremist language, sexism, racism and the scorching fist of selfish greed? Is it now okay for white KKK members to rock hoods and sheets and sing about supremacy?
Trump’s seismic victory has profound effects not just for the USA but the whole world . At the time of writing only a handful of world leaders have congratulated the robust billionaire on his ground shaking victory. The USA has had its’ Brexit moment but unlike Brexit there is no legal challenge to this victory. This is it. Raw, unadulterated and spitting heat. There is little chance of any successful post-election strategy to reverse the result.
Some commentators have mooted the idea of ‘faithless electors,’ and that theoretically if the electors of the electoral college change their minds becoming ‘faithless,’ casting their ballots for someone else, the result could be different but realistically it would be almost impossible to convince electors to vote against party lines . America’s people have spoken . The overwhelming majority of white working class people flipped the bird at the political class hedging their bets on someone they perceived as an ‘outsider,’ who would fight their corner.
Angry voters sick of ‘establishment politics, economics and media’ decided to shake things up. While the Washington elite were basking in self-serving glory, the American people were scripting another story: White working class men and women felt powerless and voiceless in a rapidly diversifying country that saw them marginalised and disenfranchised by Washington. A global wake up call mirroring the mood of dissension in other Western democracies .
What Happens Next ?
A radical shake up of foreign policy awaits, Mexicans are in a state of shock and disbelief, and a funereal atmosphere hangs over the LGBT, disabled, and immigrant communities. The general consensus in the world is one of bewilderment and shock.
As the people of the US start to process one of the most dramatic political upsets in modern American history a brief reminder of some of the outrageous moments Trump initiated on his way to the Whitehouse together with some of the more controversial statements he has made:
In response to Khizir Khan’s speech, the gold star father of the late army captain, Humayun Khan, Trump insinuated Mrs. Khan , who remained silent during her husband’s speech ‘probably wasn’t allowed to speak.’ The heartbroken mother explained she was too upset and overcome with grief to speak .
Trump alleged a Federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel was: ‘biased because he was Mexican.’ Trump stated that most of the Mexicans entering the US were ‘rapists,’ and ‘criminals,’
Talking to John O’ Donnell Trump allegedly stated that ‘laziness was a trait in blacks, and it’s not anything they can control,’ refused to condemn David Duke of the KKK, sought a blanket ban on all Muslims entering the country, encouraged ‘mob justice,’ resulting in the wrongful imprisonment of the ‘Central Park Five,’ five innocent black teens who were wrongfully convicted in 1989 for the beating and rape of a 28-year-old Central Park jogger. The teenagers aged 15-18 spent years behind bars. Trump , then just a flash trash property tycoon took out a full page ad in four New York publications calling for the return of the death penalty.
In 2002, new DNA evidence revealed this alleged gang rape was committed by serial rapist and murderer Matias Reyes. He admitted he had acted alone and DNA evidence corroborated his account. The Central Park Five were all freed eventually and secured a $40 million dollar settlement . To this day Trump denies their innocence and has never apologised for waging a one man war against five innocent black men who were royally fucked by the US legal system. Refusing to accept scientific proof of their innocence. The self-confessed ‘pussy grabber” seems unable to comprehend the exonerating evidence of DNA.
Earlier this year Trump condoned the beating of an African-American Black Lives Matter,’ protester, alleged his supporters who beat up a Latino homeless man were just ‘passionate,’ and made the following hot mic comments:
‘You know it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass,’ and : ‘the beauty of me is that I’m very rich,’ and : ‘the point is you can never be too greedy.’ Speaking of showbiz and celebrity Trump, in the now infamous pussy-gate tapes suggested you could ‘grab women by the pussy,’ if you’re a celebrity, and that women let you do that if ‘you’re famous.’
Perhaps the pièce de résistance: ‘I’m just thinking of myself right now we should just cancel the election and give it to Trump right ?’
Dog Whistle Campaign
Trump and Hillary ran one of the ugliest presidential campaigns in living memory. Trump held onto the loyal support of angry white men and women storming to power, by playing the role of super rich renegade outsider. And Hillary was punished for among other things her ties to Wall street, double dealing hypocrisy, her bellicosity on Libya and Syria, her hawkish war record, Wikileaks secrets, and husband Bill. Hillary, a seasoned Whitehouse pro had dirty hands and fingers in lots of corrupting pies.
Together with Bill she was instrumental in passing the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act costing a whopping $30 billion. Critics have condemned the legislation which they say is directly responsible for the mass incarceration of young black men. And its effect decimated black communities throughout the following decades. Bill admitted: “They got it wrong.” Regardless Hillary was blamed for the mistakes of her past and not trusted with America’s future.
How did Trump beat her ?
Ohio was the game changer.
Hillary pulled ahead even keeping California, but a massive win in Florida for Trump and he starts to look like a real contender . The finishing line is 270, the Trump strategy is working: older white voters are making the change. The Trump numbers go the line and Wisconsin is nabbed. Intriguingly, it was last with the Republicans in their glory days of the 80s, fireworks over the Whitehouse. and Trump, real estate mogul and former reality TV star of the Apprentice becomes 45th President after a bitter acrimonious battle.
The Republican candidate confounded pollsters pundits and the political elite. Clinton was humiliated — 278 electoral college votes created a momentous win for Trump. Victory was assured for the ‘forgotten voters,’ the divisive rhetoric of Trump won the election for him, an ‘outsider’ given a mere outside chance of winning.
Will he build a wall? Will he try and put Hillary Clinton in prison? Who knows? The general expectation that the night belonged to Hillary was blown apart. Only time will tell what Trump will do now.