Many Americans felt that time moved differently under President Donald Trump’s administration, with constant chaos and turmoil from the beginning to the end. The country seemed to be in constant flux, with each week feeling like a decade. The end of Trump’s presidency culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, marking one of the nation’s worst domestic crises since the Great Depression. For many voters, the choice this November is clear – they do not want to return to the chaos of Trump’s presidency.
However, there are also voters who view Trump’s term as a time of peace and prosperity, choosing to ignore the pandemic and economic crisis that occurred during his administration. Recent polls indicate that a significant portion of the electorate has given Trump a pass for his last year in office, particularly when it comes to evaluating the state of the economy. Despite the economic hardships faced by many Americans, a majority still believed that their state’s economy was good in 2020, attributing this to Trump’s leadership.
Unemployment rates in key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania rose significantly in 2020 compared to the previous year, reflecting the economic challenges faced by many Americans. Despite these hardships, some voters still credit Trump for the prepandemic economic success and overlook his handling of the pandemic and subsequent economic crisis. Trump’s failure to manage the coronavirus and its impact on the economy did not seem to deter his supporters from praising his economic record.
The presidency was designed to handle crises with energy and unity, yet Trump’s handling of the pandemic and economic fallout did not align with this expectation. Trump’s failings in managing the crisis that occurred under his watch, particularly in spreading misinformation and failing to provide necessary supplies, have not deterred his supporters from giving him a pass for his final year in office. This leniency in evaluating his crisis management sets a dangerous precedent for future presidents and their accountability during crises.
Despite Trump’s failures in handling national emergencies, his supporters may still rally behind him for a second term, risking a return to chaos, dysfunction, and contempt for the rights and liberties of Americans. The prospect of a second term under Trump’s leadership poses a significant crisis in itself, with the potential for similar failures in crisis management as seen during his first term. It remains to be seen whether voters will hold President Biden to the same standards in handling crises and whether they will remember the lessons learned from Trump’s administration.
