The Impact of Donald Trump on our Politics
The Dawn of a New Political EraThe election of Donald Trump to the U.S. Presidency in 2016 unquestionably changed the course of American politics. Trump upended the long-held tenets of traditional American political discourse, introducing a more aggressive and unpredictable brand of leadership that has never been seen before in the United States. The fundamental nature of Trump's approach to politics - namely, his active use of Twitter to communicate directly with the public - has massively shifted the nature of public dialogue. Trump's Twitter posts have been shown to carry serious impacts on public opinion and have allowed him to present his opinions and ideas directly to the public, free from the constraints of traditional media outlets. This new form of communication has not only driven viewership and interest in politics, but has also had a massive impact on how politicians interact with the public. The Polarization of American PoliticsTrump's election has brought about a level of political polarization rarely seen before in the United States. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have found themselves in a war of words, with the President often taking the lead in inflammatory rhetoric. This increased level of tension has contributed to a decrease in public trust and support for both parties, as well as a decrease in public engagement in the political process. In short, Donald Trump has pushed the American political system to unprecedented levels of polarization. The Role of the MediaThe election of Donald Trump has also resulted in substantial changes in the role of the media. The President's constant need for media attention has forced major news outlets to dedicate substantial resources toward covering his every move, resulting in a decrease in coverage for issues of national importance. Additionally, Trump's use of Twitter has allowed him to bypass traditional media outlets and deliver his views directly to the public, resulting in a weakening of the media's ability to act as a check on the President's power. The Impact on PolicyDonald Trump's tenure as President has also had a substantial impact on American policy. His administration has withdrawn from a number of international agreements, including the Paris Climate Agreement, rolled back environmental regulations, and drastically expanded its efforts to build a wall on the border with Mexico. These decisions have been widely seen as a repudiation of past administrations' policies, and have had both positive and negative effects on the United States. ConclusionDonald Trump's election to the U.S. Presidency has unquestionably had a massive impact on American politics. His aggressive rhetoric and direct communication with the public has resulted in a highly polarized political system, and his administration's policies have shifted the trajectory of American policy. As the Trump era progresses, it is likely that American politics will continue to be impacted by his presence.