Impending US elections could divert attention from escalating global crises, with speculations about Trump’s comeback dominating headlines. Photo credit: Reuters/Al Drago
American Thanksgiving has come and gone. In some ways, the holiday acts as a symbolic inflection point, ushering in the onslaught of marketing emails hawking Christmas gifts and the kick-off of holiday parties as companies start preparing their targets for the new year.
Many will be glad for the clean slate that comes with the opening of a fresh calendar. Consumers spent the last year underwater dealing with inflationary pressures, and the international landscape provided cold comfort for those searching for better days on the horizon.
Instead of returning to some semblance of stability, global events ruled the day’s news. Rather than concluding, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate. Israel finds itself at war with Gaza after the Oct 7 attack by Hamas. To add to the chaotic geopolitical landscape, India is in a diplomatic dispute with Canada and the United States.
In less than a year, Americans will head to the polls to cast a ballot in the next presidential election. Despite having to overcome the hurdle of winning the Republican primary, all eyes are on former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden to see who will emerge victorious in what could possibly be the greatest political rematch in US history.
The last time Trump and Biden faced off, the biggest threat to American democracy was a faceless disease as the world found itself squarely in the midst of a global pandemic. While Trump focused his message on the economy, tackling violent crime and protecting manufacturing and trade interests in the face of globalism, Biden set his sights on beefing up healthcare and shepherding America through the pandemic.
Despite the many serious indiscretions that would destroy the reputation of any other public figure, Trump remains well-positioned to broadcast his message once again and thus further his campaign back into the Oval Office.
The implications of the presidential elections don’t just impact Americans who will cast a ballot. Trump’s resurgence will serve as a distraction from the global geopolitical tensions that are playing out across the world. As the media redouble their efforts to focus on the daily antics of the Trump campaign, important coverage highlighting the atrocities taking place in Ukraine and Israel will take a backseat to domestic election coverage. This is partly because of shrinking newsrooms, and partly because clicks drive headlines.
If the last several years have taught historians anything, it is that democracy can persevere. It will bend, but it has yet to break. The United States remains the leader of the free world.
But one need only look back at the 2016 and 2020 elections coverage to know how the next 12 months will go, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Enemies of the Western world are closely watching to see how the primaries play out and, inevitably, what will happen with the presidency.
Next Thanksgiving, Americans could be faced with the prospect of welcoming a former president back to the Oval Office. Time will tell what the implications will mean for other nations anxiously (or otherwise) counting the days until the next election.
Josie Sabatino is a Senior Consultant at Summa Strategies, focused on providing strategic insight and helping clients meet their objectives in an ever changing and complex political and regulatory environment. Prior to joining Summa, Josie spent nearly a decade in political communications and most recently served as the Director of Communications to the Hon. Erin O’Toole, former Leader of the Official Opposition.
