I usually don’t follow the news or politics much, preferring to focus my time on my health, family, community and business endeavors. My political views don’t really align with the left and right sides of the political spectrum, instead landing me almost squarely in the center with a libertarian bent, according to the test at Political Compass. (I highly recommend you do it if you haven’t already). However, in this year’s U.S. election, I made an exception and was genuinely immersed during the run-up months to the election.
The main reason is that over the past decade or so I’ve seen leftist ideology slowly taking over not only in the United States but all over Europe. I’ve always hated authorities pushing extreme agendas down our throats, and this has been going in overdrive in recent years. While I was previously content with doing my own thing and ignoring politics, I now have young kids who are more likely to interact with the system through their school education and peers. I’ve also felt the pressure through anti-entrepreneurship sentiments and the increased burden of taxation and regulations
What Led to the Left’s Downfall?
The Democratic Party’s defeat in this election reflects several fundamental missteps that have pushed the party far beyond the comfort zone of many Americans. In their zeal for progressive ideals, the Democrats seem to have lost sight of the practical, everyday struggles of ordinary voters. They’ve gone so far left that they’ve left the American people behind. The irony is thick: while the left accuses Trump of racism and authoritarianism, the voters helping to secure his victory include Black and Hispanic Americans—people the left supposedly champions. Yet instead of celebrating this diverse coalition, the narrative shifts to labeling them as victims of “internalized whiteness” or even “the Black face of white supremacy.” This extreme ideological reaction speaks volumes about the disconnection between the party and the people it claims to represent.
A major issue is that the Democratic Party has doubled down on identity politics, catering to a cultural elite rather than addressing kitchen table concerns. Many Americans are watching as their daily struggles—like inflation, crime, and the erosion of public safety—take a backseat to issues that seem detached from their immediate needs. Transgender rights, for example, while important to many, have become a defining battleground at the cost of sidelining core issues like the economy and security. Policies like allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports have become a focal point, alienating many who otherwise support progressive values but can’t align with this direction.
Kamala Harris is emblematic of this shift. Positioned as a leader for a new generation of progressive policies, she has failed to resonate with the wider electorate. While she is praised in elite circles, she struggles to connect with the concerns of middle America—especially on issues where her stance seems evasive or overly ideological. The disconnect became most evident when, on the eve of a crucial election, she refused to comment on a seemingly straightforward bill in California that required shoplifters to face prosecution. Her silence speaks volumes about the party’s broader reluctance to embrace policies that resonate with law-abiding citizens seeking safety and order.
The growing presence of authoritarianism within the left further exacerbates this disconnect. California, a stronghold for Democratic power, has become a place where the government tries to control nearly every aspect of citizens’ lives—from what car they can drive to decisions about their children in schools. Policies are being pushed through without public consensus, and dissent is not tolerated. It is in California that parents are prohibited from even being informed if their child is struggling with issues of gender identity at school, reflecting a disturbing trend towards state overreach. It’s this kind of authoritarianism that many voters fear—and reject.
The media’s role is also crucial. Throughout the campaign, traditional media outlets have painted Trump as a threat to democracy, a dangerous authoritarian who must be stopped at all costs. Meanwhile, they showed a stunning reluctance to critique Biden’s cognitive state, his age, or his many policy missteps. The message was clear: Biden is “not brain-impaired until we say he’s brain-impaired.” This refusal to engage honestly with Biden’s obvious limitations only deepened the sense of distrust between the media and the average voter. Biden was portrayed as the left’s own Ronald Reagan—an elder statesman whose weaknesses must be shielded at all costs.
Trump’s victory, in this context, is both a backlash against Democratic overreach and a rebuke of media complicity. Despite being labeled a racist, Trump has garnered substantial support from Black and Hispanic voters—a fact that shatters the simplistic narrative that only white, rural Americans back him. In the run up to the election, I was indeed surprised that the majority of American entrepreneurs I speak to were decisively pro-Trump, although they were somewhat reluctant to say so in public due to the feared backlash.
The Republican party’s message of economic progress, national security, and putting America first resonates with a broad swath of voters who feel the Democratic Party has abandoned them. In a landscape where the media and cultural elite seem to be working hand-in-hand to maintain control, Trump’s victory is seen as the greatest political comeback in American history—a win not just against the Democrats, but against a broader establishment that has lost touch with the people.
The left has become authoritarian in its approach, shutting down dissenting opinions and mandating compliance on cultural issues that many Americans feel uncomfortable with. The pandemic response is a good example: the policies around COVID-19 reflect this overreach. While acknowledging the dangers of the virus, it seems that the extreme measures taken by the government—from mask mandates to lockdowns—were an excuse for those in power to exert more control over everyday lives. The pandemic has become a vehicle for the establishment to weaponize fear and force compliance.
Another major misstep by the left is its anti-crypto, anti-tech, and anti-entrepreneurial stance. The Democratic Party has positioned itself against some of the most exciting innovations in finance and technology, alienating not just the entrepreneurs themselves, but also the people who benefit from a thriving tech economy. By vilifying cryptocurrency and focusing on regulatory crackdowns rather than fostering innovation, the Democrats have missed an opportunity to connect with young voters and those who believe in decentralized solutions. The tech industry has always been a driver of American economic strength and independence, yet the left’s hostility towards Silicon Valley and entrepreneurship reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what has made the United States an economic powerhouse. Instead of embracing and supporting American innovation, they seem more interested in regulating it into oblivion.
Ultimately, the Democrats’ defeat is a consequence of their disconnect from the concerns of everyday Americans, their embrace of authoritarian control, and their inability to self-reflect. If the party is to regain the trust of the electorate, it needs to refocus on the bread-and-butter issues that matter most—jobs, safety, freedom, and opportunity. Until then, they will continue to lose ground to a Republican Party that, despite its flaws, appears to understand the pulse of the nation far better than their opponents do.
What I Hope For Going Forward
Looking forward, the Trump administration has an opportunity to build on the momentum of this historic victory. If it focuses on delivering results—particularly in areas like energy independence, economic growth, and immigration reform—it could cement a new era of prosperity and stability. One of the most important promises is energy policy, moving back towards a self-sufficient America that doesn’t rely on foreign oil, which could lead to reduced energy costs and an economic boost for many struggling American families. Another key area is immigration: a focus on border security paired with a fair path to legal status for those already contributing to the country could strike the balance that many Americans are yearning for. Nobody wants dangerous criminals roaming the streets, but at the same time, there’s an understanding that hardworking families deserve a chance to live in peace.
In terms of broader geopolitical impact, the Trump administration could also set a precedent for Western nations that have slowly been adopting many leftist American policies. The hope is that a return to policies based on freedom, national sovereignty, and individual responsibility will inspire European countries to rethink their own trajectories. Across the Atlantic, countries like the UK, France, and Germany have mirrored many of the failed progressive policies that have led to unrest and dissatisfaction in America. Spain and Malta, the countries where I spend most of my time, are currently in the grip of corrupt, incompetent Socialist governments. Portugal, one of my favorite countries in Europe, has finally removed the left from power. If the United States can turn the tide, it might embolden European nations to also push back against the creeping authoritarianism that has been eroding their cultures and undermining their citizens’ quality of life.
Ultimately, this moment is about much more than just an election. It’s a chance for the Western world to course-correct, to remember the values that made these nations great: freedom, opportunity, and the right to dissent. There’s hope that with Trump back in power, America can once again be a beacon of these values, lighting the way for others to follow.
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