What would a Trump second term mean?

A great podcast from the FT looks at the prospects for election 2024

And this is a good starting point for considering where America might be this time next year. Gideon Rachman and guests look at the very real possibility that in November 2024 Americans will be faced with a rerun of election 2020. Many of my students find this hard to believe. This podcast is great at explaining why, despite the reservations of many US voters, this will be the case.

Listen here (need FT for schools login/or membership).

This then leads to a more detailed investigation into what shape Trump II might take. I can recommend these two US TV show excerpts...

Questions on video:

1. Why do some Americans romanticize the accomplishments of the former president?

2. What is the difference between the immediate impact of stimulus checks and the long-term impact of infrastructure projects?

3. How does the association between Democrats and Biden diminish over time?

4. According to Charles Blow, what is the disconnect in the electorate regarding these issues?

Suggested answers:

1. Some Americans romanticize the former president's accomplishments because they feel left out of the system and believe that things cannot get much worse for them.

2. Stimulus checks have an immediate impact that people can see and feel, while the impact of infrastructure projects takes longer to materialize.

3. Over time, the association between Democrats and Biden diminishes and distances, making it less likely for Biden to receive credit for long-term projects.

4. The disconnect in the electorate lies in the different perceptions of immediate versus long-term impacts and the association of certain accomplishments with specific politicians.

Questions on the second video:

1. What are the potential consequences of the replacement of apolitical generals in the military?

2. Why does the speaker believe it is important to bring attention to these issues early?

3. How does the speaker describe the importance of this issue in relation to political ideology?

4. Who are some examples of conservatives who have expressed concerns about the Republican nominee?

5. What authoritarian intentions has Donald Trump expressed for a second term?

6. How does the speaker connect Trump's ideas to the move into political extremism?

7. What is the significance of the polling data mentioned regarding radicalization in America?

8. Why does the speaker believe it is important to keep speaking out about democratic institutions?

9. How does the speaker interpret Trump's request for his followers to watch the polls in deep blue cities?

10. What are the potential threats if Trump wins and assumes power again in a second term?

Suggested answers:

1. The potential consequences of replacing apolitical generals in the military are that they may be replaced by individuals with extreme views.

2. The speaker believes it is important to bring attention to these issues early so that people can understand what will happen and make informed decisions.

3. The speaker emphasizes that this issue is not about political ideology, but about standing up for democracy.

4. Some examples of conservatives who have expressed concerns about the Republican nominee are Tom Nichols, McKay Coppins, and Elise Jordan.

5. Donald Trump has expressed authoritarian intentions such as terminating the Constitution, arresting political opponents, and controlling media networks.

6. The speaker suggests that Trump's ideas are a result of the move into political extremism and his attempt to radicalize his followers.

7. The polling data suggests that one in five Americans may be radicalized to the state of an extremist, which is concerning for the division of the country.

8. The speaker believes it is important to keep speaking out about democratic institutions to protect them from being undermined for political expediency.

9. The speaker interprets Trump's request to watch the polls in deep blue cities as a form of voter intimidation.

10. If Trump wins and assumes power again in a second term, there may be a direct attack on the Civil Service and the idea of a political government service, potentially leading to a borderline dictatorship.