Anand Giridharadas: It is easy to believe that less than 50% of America voted for or wanted Trump. Unfortunately, if we had less Trump in us as a nation, he would have lost in a landslide.
Anand Giridharadas: A Trump in all of us?
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Summary
Anand Giridharadas argues that Donald Trump is not an anomaly but a reflection of America’s deep-seated systemic issues. He describes Trumpism as an “autoimmune disease” rather than an infection, meaning that the country itself has internal dysfunctions fueling his rise. Many Americans, despite disapproving of Trump, remain disengaged due to systemic disenfranchisement and apathy. The persistent myth of rugged individualism keeps working people believing in a system rigged against them while oligarchs consolidate power. Progressives must counter this by mobilizing voters, exposing the economic and cultural roots of Trumpism, and offering a bold, inclusive vision for the future.
- Trump is not an outsider; he is a product of America’s obsession with wealth, deception, and oligarchy.
- Many voters did not actively support Trump, but systemic voter apathy and disenfranchisement helped him win.
- The myth of rugged individualism enables economic exploitation and justifies extreme wealth inequality.
- Oligarchs maintain control by discouraging civic engagement and promoting cynicism about the system.
- Progressives must counter Trumpism by mobilizing participation, challenging oligarchy, and advocating for systemic change.
Trumpism is a symptom of America’s deeper structural issues—unchecked capitalism, wealth worship, and institutional decay. The fight against it is not about one man but
dismantling the economic and political systems that allow authoritarianism to thrive. Progressives must empower the working class, promote policies that benefit the majority, and remind Americans that democracy only survives through active participation.
