The Great Pretender: What Trump’s Return Tells Us About America’s New Normal

When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, many dismissed it as a one-time aberration, an unexpected twist in American history fueled by deep disillusionment. Countless explanations emerged: maybe it was a backlash against establishment politics, a protest vote, a glitch in the democratic process. But whatever the reason, many believed it couldn’t happen again. Trump was an anomaly, a wild card in a stable deck. Now, with his return to the political stage, it’s clear that Trump wasn’t a fluke. His comeback reveals something deeper about America’s current state and what the country has become.

The Illusion of Empathy

One key to Trump’s lasting appeal lies in his performance, the illusion of empathy. Trump doesn’t speak like other politicians. His words are rough and unscripted, filled with blunt phrases, nicknames, and unpolished language that seems refreshingly raw to many. It feels “authentic” in a way that the rehearsed, polished speeches of other leaders do not. And for Americans who feel looked down on, this style resonates. They see it as a sign that he “gets it,” that he understands them and their frustrations.

But here’s the disconnect: while Trump’s words feel genuine, they are, at their core, a performance. This isn’t empathy in action; it’s empathy as theater. Trump’s background, wealth, and lifestyle set him worlds apart from the average voter. But this performance of bluntness is often enough. His followers want a leader who seems like one of them, and Trump has convinced them that he is, despite the vast gulf of experience that separates him from those he claims to champion.

The “Champion” of the Anti-Elite

Trump has also crafted the image of himself as an “outsider,” a self-styled warrior against the establishment, even while holding the ultimate insider position as former president. He frames himself as the lone defender against a corrupt, untrustworthy “elite” that ignores or actively works against everyday Americans. It’s a classic populist move, one that positions him as the voice of the people against an ill-defined establishment enemy.

Yet the irony is unmistakable. Trump himself is as “establishment” as it gets, a wealthy businessman with connections to the powerful. But he continues to cast himself as an outsider, a lone fighter against a system that, in reality, has always served him. It's easy to see this in practice when you consider the serious crimes he has been charged with, and he still remains at large with a platform to chip away at the foundation of the very institutions meant to hold people accountable for their actions. His supporters ignore this contradiction because his rhetoric taps into a sense of betrayal many Americans feel, turning Trump into their champion even as he remains largely untouched by the struggles they face.

Perhaps Trump’s greatest achievement is his ability to create a movement defined by frustration, one that transcends any individual policy, principle or his unethical behaviour. We don't have to look far back to see how a scandal derailed Gary Hart's Presidential bid. Can you imagine a Trump like candidate trying to get themselves elected in 1988? It's an indication that Trump's base isn’t held together by traditional party ideals or clear goals. Instead, it thrives on an “us vs. them” dynamic that speaks to shared grievances rather than shared solutions. He cannot articulate a cohesive policy meant to make his supporter lives better, rather when pressed, the fall back is something akin to "We are looking at that". It has to be clear by now that the old rules of politics are no longer valid. Trump’s supporters are loyal not because they agree with his policies but because they believe he is fighting the right battles against the right enemies. It means the tactics that won you and election previously won't work today.

The loyalty Trump commands is rooted in emotion rather than logic, built on resentment rather than shared ideals. It’s a loyalty that withstands even his own contradictions. By constantly creating new sources of outrage, whether against the media, other politicians, or vague “deep state” conspiracies, Trump fuels a cycle of anger that strengthens his hold on his supporters, making it difficult for them to question his motives or actions.

Trump’s Return as a Statement on American Identity

Trump’s return to the political spotlight signals something profound: his first victory wasn’t an accident. His influence now speaks to a cultural shift in American values, a nation where image, and personality seem to hold more sway than substance, integrity, or accountability. This isn’t just about one man; it’s about what the country has come to prioritize. The spectacle, the outrage, the showmanship—these elements have all become part of the new American political landscape, and Trump embodies it all without the ethical guardrails.

As Trump’s influence grows, the U.S. has lost any credible standing as a moral leader on the world stage. For decades, America positioned itself as a beacon of democracy, a model for other nations to follow. But when a country repeatedly chooses a leader who defies those principles, it can no longer lecture others about integrity, accountability, or human rights. What this election says about America’s moral compass is sobering: a nation that was once admired for its values is now seen as just another power, ruled by spectacle and self-interest. Ask yourself this question: Would you want to work along a person who displayed similar ethical challenges and me first attitude?

Looking Ahead: The Power of Collective Progress

Trump’s resurgence isn’t just a momentary blip; it’s a mirror, reflecting a nation wrestling with its own identity and purpose. American politics has become fixated on isolation, self-interest, and an “America First” mindset. But history shows that this inward focus has rarely led to lasting strength or unity. True power lies in collective progress, in lifting each other up, because, as the old saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. A nation that looks out only for itself, that focuses on winners and losers, loses sight of what makes a democracy thrive: mutual care, shared responsibility, and progress that benefits everyone.

This past week I was in Chicago speaking with academic, and corporate leaders from around the world. The collective wisdom, from this group of leaders truly interested in making everyone's lives better, is through leaders who can communicate a vision, who can inspire Americans to see that their strength comes not from isolation, but from unity. For the country to heal and find its footing, Americans must reject the allure of division and understand that their fates are interconnected. When they recognize that their well-being is tied to that of their neighbors, when they choose to lift each other up, they’ll build a country that’s not only resilient but more just. America may never reclaim the mantle of global moral leadership it once claimed, but it can still strive toward something better at home: a democracy rooted in collective progress and a commitment to lift all its citizens, not just a chosen few. Until then, your neighbors will continue to see what this election demonstrates you cannot: you've lost what made your country great in the first place.