NS Venkataraman
CHENNAI, India, 13 January 2021
There is no doubt that President Trump was a controversial figure. But, he was not that unpopular among American citizens, to the extent that he was controversial during his four years of administration. This is clearly revealed by the fact that Trump received support from a large number of voters in the recent Presidential election, though it was not enough to win the election. Certainly, the recent Presidential election in the USA was not a washout for President Trump.
Why did Trump become controversial though he was not unpopular in equal measure?
Ever since Trump took charge as President of the USA, and a few months before that, he has been the target for a section of the media, activists, and critics. They carried out a relentless campaign against him and did not hesitate to use abusive terms, publish uncharitable cartoons and even raised doubts about his personal integrity.
When facing such vehement and motivated criticisms, Trump “returned the compliment” with equally vehement repartee in an attempt to silence the anti-Trump critics. In such circumstances, Trump received media glare for all the wrong reasons.
Many American citizens and his friends abroad were disgusted that Trump brought down the stature of the US President by recognizing the motivated critics, instead of ignoring them.
Look at the difference between Indian Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. Both of them are leaders of the government in noisy democratic countries with media freedom at an extreme level.
Modi was called a thief by one opposition party leader, and another chief minister of a province said that she would want to slap Modi. What was the reaction of Modi to such abuses? He simply ignored them and went ahead with his work. Modi did not lose his reputation, but his critics did.
Obviously, Trump has a lesson or two to learn from Modi.
Certainly, several measures implemented by Trump caught the imagination of American citizens. His efforts to checkmate China to prevent China emerging as a superpower at the cost of the US, successful peace moves in the Middle East region, promoting an America-first policy by preventing immigrants getting jobs at the cost of Americans, and taking measures to ensure that the investment by American industrialists would be focused on USA — and finally his moves in favour of Tibet by unequivocally supporting the cause of Tibetans, victims of Chinese aggression — have all been very laudable measures, as far as American interests are concerned. Some of the positive measures initiated by President Trump were not taken by earlier President Obama. Trump’s moves to stop funding WHO and to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord have been appreciated by at least some sections of Americans.
Everything lost in one stroke
After completion of the recent Presidential election, Trump complained about rigging of the polls, which is unbecoming of a US President.
Trump’s refusal to concede defeat was seen as an adverse reflection on the election machinery in the USA, questioning the fairness and neutrality of the election officials.
Finally, when the supporters of Trump stormed into Capitol Hill, the seat of the US government, Trump lost all reputation. Several world leaders have condemned the acts of people rioting against the election verdict. Everyone thinks that Trump instigated his supporters to indulge in such vandalism.
The criticism and the disapproval of the violent acts of protesters by many people and leaders, not only in the USA but in several other countries, is a disapproval of President Trump himself.
Thus, President Trump lost in one stroke whatever he gained in four years.
Future history will highlight the negatives of Trump and ignore his positives. This is how history is always made.
About the author
NS Venkataraman is a chemical engineer as well as social activist in Chennai, India. He is the founder trustee of Nandini Voice for the Deprived, a Chennai-based not-for-profit organisation serving the cause of the deprived and down-trodden, and working for probity in public life.
More articles by NS Venkataraman on Tibet Sun.
According to Gallop poll, President Trump remains more popular than congress and the media — the same institutions that have unrelentingly attacked him since he descended the escalator in Trump Tower and declared his run for President of the United States five years ago. This, despite a full-frontal assault on the President for half a decade which include 2 partisan impeachments, a Russian hoax, a Charlottesville hoax, a CCP pandemic and the media and Democrats spinning the Beijing line. Just 3 weeks ago Trump won the accolade of the “most admired man in the country”.
As for the impeachment, its going to go nowhere. Looking at the news seems like its happening but reality is the whole complexion has changed overnight with the facts coming to light.
1. One of the main guys arrested for spearheading is an Antifa and BLM guy who’s been seen on social media talking about ripping Trump out of office. Self describes as an insurgent.
2. The whole thing was planned and FBI knew about it before. Why they didn’t stop it is another matter. So, if it was planned how could the President have incited the protestors?
Finally, if you want to hear real incitement just listen to the rhetoric of the left. Its unimaginable how the left narrative has caused so much hatred towards one man.
Then comes the most unthinkable thing to happen in the free world of the big techs banning Trump. What they did expect is the reaction of many world leaders who are shocked and coming to Trump’s defense. Besides Angela Merkel of Germany and France, Mexico’s President has blasted them and vowed to mount a global campaign against the big techs. India’s parliamentary panel is also going to summon them over data safety and banning accounts etc. Best of all Chinese citizens are actively supporting…