In November 2016, against most expectations, even among some Republican Party’s members, and despite his lack of political experience, as he had never held any public office, Donald Trump won the presidential election in the USA through a campaign conducted against the political elite. During the campaign he presented himself as an outsider, as someone who would upend the corrupt political elite installed in Washington and that had no real touch with the citizens. An elite that was fuelled by money and often forgot the national interests. Trump was right when he believed that voters were expected to show their dissatisfaction at the polls. This essay reflects on the reasons underlying his victory and aims at proving that nationalism and populism were among them. It also tries to demonstrate that nationalism and populism are still present in Trump’s policies. An unorthodox President who, till the moment, is merely following through on his campaign promises and rules over the Un-united States of America.
In November 2016, against most expectations, even among some Republican Party’s members, and despite his lack of political experience, as he had never held any public office, Donald Trump won the presidential election in the USA through a campaign conducted against the political elite. During the campaign he presented himself as an outsider, as someone who would upend the corrupt political elite installed in Washington and that had no real touch with the citizens. An elite that was fuelled by money and often forgot the national interests. Trump was right when he believed that voters were expected to show their dissatisfaction at the polls. This essay reflects on the reasons underlying his victory and aims at proving that nationalism and populism were among them. It also tries to demonstrate that nationalism and populism are still present in Trump’s policies. An unorthodox President who, till the moment, is merely following through on his campaign promises and rules over the Un-united States of America.