article by Sianna Zewdie (Y11)
This article is based on personal beliefs and does in no way reflect opinions of Ecolint as a whole.
Two weeks ago, America knew it would make history: it would either elect its first female president, or elect its first convicted felon. The polls were tight Tuesday night, and it wasn’t until the next day that a clear victor emerged. People across the country have spent the last week either celebrating the return of their ‘savior’, or in the depths of despair, wondering if this is the death of democracy. Because the sad truth is, it turns out that America would rather be governed by a criminal than a woman.
So what would a Trump presidency entail? Would it truly bring forth America’s downfall? Will its effects extend beyond America? Let’s walk through it.
The economy was the most prevalent issue on voters’ minds this year. A majority stated that the candidate’s positions on it would have an “extremely important influence on their vote” according to studies done by Gallup, and MAGA voters in particular were especially concerned. However, specialists warn that Trump’s proposed economic changes will be extremely disastrous to the US economy, with his tax cuts alone able to increase the national debt by $5.8 trillion over the next ten years. The main beneficiary of these cuts will be higher income households, adding yet another challenge to the myriad that clutter the lives of working class families.
Perhaps the most concerning economic change is the tariffs that Trump plans to impose on imported goods. For a detailed explanation, read this excellent article by the BBC that details it well (and if you don’t have the attention span, here is a TikTok video that outlines it very clearly too). These tariffs will most likely drive up prices on necessities such as groceries and electronics (the cost of smartphones is predicted to increase by 26%, and laptops by 45%), impacting the average American’s wallet directly. Expert analysts warned that conflicts are likely to arise from Trump’s protectionist trade policies, not only making goods more expensive and harder to acquire for consumers in the U.S., but also forcing smaller local businesses to have to increase prices, cut down on employee numbers, or even shut down entirely. Much of Trump’s base see the proposed tariffs as a way to keep manufacturing local—a worthy goal, but one that economists caution could cause significant inflation and damage the job market. This disruption will not be confined within the borders of the United States; rather, it will affect the global economy. If things play out the way Trump intends, Europe could fall into a major recession as early as 2025.
So, great. The American economy will fall apart. This alone is damning enough for the life of the average American, but Trump is also expected to make good on his promises on reducing illegal immigration to the US. This has been the propeller of his campaign for the past eight years, and the recent spike in immigrants during the Biden administration has served to sway even more voters to his side. His “Build a wall!” declaration from 2016 has now morphed into creating the largest mass deportation in US history. Details on what exactly the program will entail have been vague, only that 11 million people will be “sent back to their countries”. And it isn’t just illegal immigrants either—his support for the RAISE Act, aimed at slashing legal immigration by 50%, could have severe consequences for industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor. Yes—the economy, which will already be suffering thanks to Trump’s tax policies, will receive another blow as this will stifle economic growth, produce labor shortages and cause prices to skyrocket even further. And though Trump claims his policies are made to protect American jobs, studies have consistently shown that immigrants contribute far more to the economy than they take out.
Additionally, Trump’s controversial statements on immigration—infamously referring to some undocumented immigrants as “animals” and making unfounded claims about immigrant crime—has further polarized the United States. His overly conservative position also hinders bipartisan immigration reforms, such as the one proposed earlier this year, which he reportedly pressed GOP lawmakers to block. Critics allege that this resistance to compromise proves that his campaign about solving immigration challenges but maintaining a harsh division in the U.S. political landscape.
To put another log on the proverbial fire, Donald Trump has a deeply concerning stance on healthcare reform. He aims to slash the Affordable Care Act, which helps up to 40 million Americans, and by doing so will greatly affect the accessibility of healthcare for millions of economically disadvantaged citizens. While Trump and the GOP have publicly committed to preserving Social Security, many of the policies suggested by the president-elect could deplete the administration’s funds in as soon as six years. Millions of retirees, disabled individuals, and low-income families would be left at risk of losing critical benefits they rely on to survive. In tandem with the rising healthcare costs likely to result from the dismantling of the ACA, these changes could create a perfect storm for vulnerable communities. In particular, seniors (who form a significant portion of Trump’s voter base) may face diminished resources and support as Social Security funds run dry, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Additionally, these cuts could exacerbate income inequality, further widening the gap between the wealthy and the working class, creating further social divisions. Critics warn that this combination of reduced healthcare access and weakened social safety nets could eventually lead to a public health crisis and increased financial instability for millions of Americans.
This is all truly devastating for the United States, especially for working class families, including MAGA supporters who voted for Trump. But once again, there’s more! Not only will people’s working conditions and opportunities deteriorate, but so will aspects of their social and personal lives. Trump’s rollback on civil rights protections—especially for the LGBTQ+ community—will likely mean that individuals face more discrimination in the workplace, schools, and even in healthcare. For example, transgender people may see restrictions on access to gender-affirming care and even be excluded from certain public spaces or job opportunities. Moreover, efforts to curb abortion rights might force women to make life-altering decisions under extreme stress, pushing many into unsafe or desperate situations. Socially, these policy shifts would divide communities, creating more stigmatization for already marginalized groups, and fuelling more tension in everyday interactions.
Trump has also called for the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in government institutions, an agenda that will exacerbate already currently existing systemic inequalities that many have spent decades fighting to address. In cases of misconduct, Trump has promised immunity to police officers—a serious concern, as this could heighten racial targeting and further reinforce systemic bias already targeting people of color, Black people specifically. Shielding police officers from accountability could only serve as a message to law enforcement inviting them to participate in discriminatory practices without the fear of consequences. This would undermine police reform efforts and further compound mistrust between communities of color and law enforcement, deepening the racial divide in the country.
This is a cultural crisis, where identities are at risk of being attacked, and social trust is corroded. These policies will create a social climate where individuals and communities don’t feel safe to express themselves, and be more likely to face public contempt for simply being who they are. Trump’s influence will reach beyond the United States; his foreign policy emphasizes a more isolationist, patriotic America, rejecting globalism. His “America First” stance, including skepticism toward international partnerships and trade agreements, will derail global collaboration on pressing matters such as climate change, economic stability and security. His pledges to slash foreign aid and withdraw from international accords risk alienating the U.S. on the world stage, potentially disrupting already-volatile regions and allowing rival powers like China and Russia an opportunity to widen their reach. The strain will be acutely felt in the global economy as well, as Trump’s tariff-heavy approach will likely trigger a cascade of retaliatory tariffs and worldwide economic uncertainty.
Ultimately, Trump’s presidency symbolizes a future flooded with uncertainty—not only for Americans, but for the world, as they watch the ripples of his policies and rhetoric spread far beyond U.S. borders, leaving a generation to grapple with the consequences.