Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig i: Norsk bokmål Русский Українська

The President of the United States is accused of trying to break down American democracy. Trump’s supporters say he’s doing the opposite. They say he’s fighting to save democracy from a corrupt elite and a system that no longer represents most people. I take a look at the facts and try to see what’s happening.

Democracy in disintegration

Vicki C. Jackson, who is a professor of constitutional law at Harvard, says something about how important independent research and an independent press are in a democracy. “The press should engage in independent journalism, and the press should, among other things, question politicians’ dispositions and decisions. She says that the press is not independent when several news channels are penalized for not following Trump’s view of the world. The examples she mentions are that AP was denied participation in Trump’s press conferences because AP refused to use a term other than Gulf of Mexico. Another example she uses is when NBC, Politico, New York Times and NPR were not given space in the Pentagon offices, but were replaced by Trump-friendly media. Furthermore, she also points out that investigations have been launched against independent media that could threaten their licenses.

Vicki C. Jackson also points out Trump’s attack on universities and research environments. “Threatening to withdraw financial support for universities that, among other things, do not comply with Trump’s desire to stop programs for inclusion, diversity and gender equality, is an attempt to gag independent research.

Political opponents

Donald Trump’s accusations of electoral fraud following his election defeat are also cited by many as an example of a lack of respect for democratic processes. In the aftermath of the election, he also gave support to those who stormed Congress. After Donald Trump became president again, he pardoned those who were serving time for their attack on Congress. Respect for an election result is central to a democracy.

Since taking over as president again in January 2025, he has repeatedly attacked the courts, political opponents, research and the press. Many people also point out that his attempts to install fellow politicians in key positions are a danger to democracy.

Trump’s showdown against the elite

From the perspective of Trump and his supporters, however, it is claimed that he is trying to save democracy – that he is fighting a corrupt elite and a system that no longer represents “most people”. They believe that the institutions themselves have become biased and that he represents a kind of “democratic rebellion”.

According to Trump’s supporters, it’s not just political opponents who are the problem for democracy. These forces are also present within the Republican Party. The purge within that party must be seen in that context.

Summary: Is democracy in danger?

“What’s happening in the US today is frightening. Attempts to prevent a free and independent press are frightening in themselves. So are his threats to the research community. Verbal attacks on judges show little understanding of the independent role of the courts, which is important in all democracies. His lack of respect for the election results in 2020 shows contempt for democracy. A contempt that was clearly evident during the congress storming. This is seen by many as an attempted coup.

Contempt for politicians is something many people feel. It is also something the MAGA movement knows. A political correctness where those who speak out against it are ridiculed. Trump has succeeded in bringing together different groups of dissatisfied Americans. What they have in common is that in one way or another they have lost respect for the so-called elite that has ruled the USA. The groups Trump has managed to gather are groups that are racist or want to send illegal immigrants back. There are groups that are unhappy with economic development in the US and groups that think equality and inclusion have come too far. Playing on people’s dissatisfaction is often associated with populism. In this populist mindset, dissatisfaction with those in power is also central. For some, the dissatisfaction has been a dissatisfaction with democracy itself, or a desire to improve it. For others, Trump’s promises of better economic times, for example, have been crucial.

American democracy is under pressure. Whether this is what Trump’s voters wanted is more doubtful.

Sources:

Freedom House: Freedom in the world 2024 – USA

Brookings: Dangerous cracks in US democracy pillars

Brookings: Trump’s executive order threatens to undermine American elections

Surprise blog: Vicki C. Jackson

SciencesPo: Trump 2.0: the rise of an “anti-elite” elite in US politics