Mr President We Have A Problem.

Summary

The article reflects on the significant political and social changes in the United States, particularly under President Trump's administration, and draws comparisons to the UK's Brexit, highlighting the impact on both nations.

Abstract

The text discusses the unexpected outcome of the 2016 US presidential election, where Donald Trump emerged victorious against Hillary Clinton. It reflects on the subsequent challenges and controversies of Trump's presidency, including the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial tensions exacerbated by incidents like George Floyd's death, and the construction of the US-Mexico border wall. The author contrasts Trump's tenure with Barack Obama's historic presidency, noting the hope and progress symbolized by Obama's election. The article also touches on the parallels between the divisive nature of Trump's presidency and the UK's Brexit vote, both of which have left lasting divisions and require significant repair.

Opinions

The author expresses skepticism about Trump's suitability for the presidency, suggesting that his leadership has made America poorer and more divided.
There is a critical view of Trump's response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd, questioning his ability to empathize or effectively address racial issues.
The author is critical of Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly his choice of terminology like "China Virus" and the perceived prioritization of trivial matters over public health.
The article conveys disappointment in Trump's policies, such as the construction of the US-Mexico border wall, and the subsequent removal of the content related to COVID-19 immunity in children from his social media accounts.
The author draws a parallel between the negative impacts of Trump's presidency and the UK's decision to leave the EU, both seen as causing deep societal rifts.
There is a sense of nostalgia for the Obama presidency, which is remembered as a time of hope and progress, contrasting sharply with the current state of affairs.
The text suggests that both Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have made controversial and divisive statements, contributing to increased racism and Islamophobia.
The author implies that Trump and Johnson are more calculating than they appear,

And The Problem Is You

November 8th, 2016 was a very historic day for the US Elections. The husband and I were watching from our home in the UK with interest. It was a bit of a two-horse race by now. Clinton Vs Trump. The impression was that Clinton would win.

Obviously due to the time difference between the two countries the husband and I went to bed pretty sure that we would wake up to the first Woman President of the USA. But there was a feeling that I couldn’t shake and I had a sneaking suspicion that Trump might just do it. Well, do it he did. We woke up to things being close and then he overtook on the outside lane.

And soon he is going to try for a second term going against Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris of California. Mr Trump is a rich man but if he leaves office he has left America poorer and if he stays in office it will be poorer still.

America used to be defined as “the land of opportunity”. Not anymore and for the ordinary person of colour probably best defined as “the land of uncertainty, live if you're lucky or die if you aren’t”. The death of George Floyd and others before him have brought into stark contrast how the colour of your skin defines your very fate in the USA. On the 5th June 2020, BBC News quoted Mr Trump as saying “Hopefully George is looking down and saying this is a great thing that is happening for our country”. These words from a President that should know better coming after days of protests. Who the hell is advising this man or is he just not listening?

There have been other disasters as well. The US Mexico Border wall was one of them and an article in The UK Guardian published in January 2020 quotes “Trump Border Wall between Mexico blows over in high winds”.

However other mistakes, unlike the Mexican Wall, aren’t just going to blow over. Only within the last few days, The Washington Post is quoted as saying “Facebook removed from Trump's official account the post of a video clip from a Fox News interview in which he said children are almost immune from COVID-19. Twitter required his Team Trump campaign account to delete a tweet with the same video”.

And this brings us to yet another disaster. The handling of the Covid-19 Pandemic. It would appear that Mr Trump thinks he’s handling it just perfectly. So perfectly that he sometimes doesn’t sometimes call it Covid-19 and just refers to it as the “China Virus” which is more than offensive to the Chinese community who have suffered abuse over this already. Nothing like fanning the flames is there Mr Trump!

There is nothing remotely likeable about this presidential term but there is plenty that is noteworthy and not for good reason. People dying of this terrible disease and Melania decides to get out in the garden for a revamp. The money that would cost would be better directed towards more research and help for those suffering and not wasted on new bedding plants and a bit of pruning here and there.

Don’t get me wrong here, I like America. I’ve never been there and used to think of it as the land of the free and probably of a good opportunity. It’s now the land of the unfree and it is terrible to see a country such as this going down a dangerous path. What struck me after the 2016 election result was the unhappiness amongst many Americans that he was now firmly installed in the White House.

But the election of Trump and the result of Brexit in the UK has done terrible damage in both countries that will take years to repair. As regards Brexit I know of families who have fallen out badly and never spoken since such is the strength of feeling about our departure from the EU. Over here the Brexit result has brought out some very racist undertones. Our own blond bombshell Prime Minister Mr Johnson has in the past referred to black Africans as “piccanninies with watermelon smiles”. He has also referred to Muslim women in their religious attire as looking like “letterboxes”. As a result of this Islamophobic incidents rose greatly.

Both men seem stupid, but underneath it, they aren’t and that is their danger. It could be said that they are a couple of sly Foxes however if I was a Fox I’d be insulted to be compared to them. They will eventually leave office but there will be much repairing needed as a result of their departure.

And with regard to the unhappiness that ensued when Trump walked into the White House. I remember another election when a different man walked into that house.

And on that day, the Man who walked into the White House was black.

And whatever any of us may think of Mr Obama that was a momentous day and I’m glad I was alive to see it.

The American dream was very much alive then. “Yes we can” and yes he did.