Daniel Wagner

Opinion | Donald Trump’s new role? America’s stalker-in-chief, raising the nation’s blood pressure

As Trump’s rhetoric can be expected to become even more inflammatory after he leaves office, there is little reason to believe that his hard-core supporters’ fury will subside. The US must contend with a possible armed insurrection at home

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US President Donald Trump at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 30. Photo: Bloomberg

Daniel Wagner

Published: 3:30am, 11 Nov 2020Updated: 6:48am, 11 Nov 2020

More than 70 million Americans voted for US President Donald Trump knowing what he has stood for over the past four years – tribalism, racism, bigotry, misogyny and divisiveness. Many of them supported him with a level of fanaticism usually seen among terrorist groups.

What that says about the United States is appalling, made even worse by the fact that Trump’s popularity actually rose in this election. Nearly half of those who voted apparently see nothing wrong with Trump’s many outrages or what he stands for.

That is not only depressing, but contemptible for those among us who happen to treasure virtues such as moderation, equality and righteousness in our leaders and nation.

When authoritarians are overthrown, they typically loot the Treasury on their way out and retire to the French Riviera. Trump won’t be doing that. Nor will he take the road travelled by George W. Bush after he departed the White House. He will neither retire nor stay silent.

On the contrary, he will become the nation’s stalker, the guy peeping through the window at night, the ex-boyfriend for whom a restraining order is required, the insurgent leader working his networks and commanding his brethren while hidden away in resplendent luxury. In so doing, Trump will keep his base fired up in anticipation of his second run in 2024. As long as he is vertical, he will run.