The Hatred of Uncle Sam

In Thai, the word trust (ไว้ใจ) means “to keep one’s heart.” Trust is not just about belief but also about protecting something pure and vital. At its basic level, democracy is a governmental system that believes the will of the masses carries political change. Democratic governments have historically done a better job at protecting civil rights, LGBTQ+ communities, and minority populations. Democracy relies on trust in courts, the media, elections, and checks and balances to represent the people. It cannot function if citizens do not trust elected officials to represent their interests. With Donald Trump's election to the White House and his MAGA ideology seeping into the daily operations of the American government, the U.S.’s ability to maintain stability in democracies worldwide has been called into question.

Donald Trump is a changed man — sharing most of his previous values but now more familiar with power and how to wield it ruthlessly. The free world has witnessed a shift in Trump’s actions to textbook examples of democratic backsliding. This phenomenon includes degrading democratic values, where elected individuals slowly undermine democratic institutions and dismantle checks and balances. His “symptoms” can be separated into three categories: criticism of mainstream media, weaponizing populism and ramping up strongman diplomacy. These symptoms not only harm American democracy but also threaten free states globally, potentially disrupting the world order. 

Brent Stirton/Getty Images, FILE

To understand why Trump’s backsliding poses devastating consequences for the world, one must understand why the U.S. is so influential. Firstly, it is a military superpower. In 2024, $825 billion was given as the budget for the Department of Defense, more than China, Russia, and India combined. Through its stockpile of nuclear weapons, aircraft carriers, supersonic jets, and intelligence agencies, America projects power globally. But American power extends beyond its military — through jeans, pop songs, and cozy sitcoms, its culture has expanded worldwide. Thus, when the president of the most powerful nation actively undermines democratic institutions, it comforts autocrats — if Uncle Sam, the proclaimed guardian of freedom, no longer believes in the ideals that forged him, who will stop the world from falling into authoritarianism?

In the digital age, the role of mainstream media has never been more important. In a world where information travels at the speed of light and any individual with a phone can upload onto the internet, citizens of democracies risk being fed the wrong narrative. Large media outlets with vast resources and decades of experience serve as fact-checkers. The media serves as watchdogs against autocrats, reporting and ferociously fact-checking those who manipulate public opinion. During COVID-19, mainstream media played a crucial role in disseminating information about vaccines and social distancing, broadcasting government updates on containment plans and curfews. A world of death and pestilence without the presence of mainstream media would be akin to Europe during the Bubonic Plague, where accurate information was either nonexistent or was not able to be passed on fast enough to protect human communities and was thus disastrous. During his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly called the media “enemies of the people” and fueled rhetoric pinning them as tools of the “deep state.” Recently, the White House ended the tradition of allowing a third-party committee of journalists to greenlight which media outlets receive the “privilege” to report from the center of America’s executive branch. Now, the White House decides which media outlets are allowed in, representing a profound shift in the president’s policy. If the White House has the final say in deciding its coverage, the press’s ability to provide factual information without interference is compromised. Once America sets an example of media suppression, authoritarians will note this tactic down in their playbooks, supercharging their confidence in overthrowing checks and balances.

Although any leader hoping for reelection will not challenge populist principles, Trump has adopted the ideology itself and twisted it to meet his goals. Trump has demonstrated his ability to weave citizens’ frustrations from a failed promise of the American Dream and channel them into seemingly unrelated external factors. He has pinned the blame for economic turmoil and social upheaval on courts and democratic forums, igniting a “culture war” between traditional conservative and progressive liberal values. Adding to the “deep state” narrative, Trump incited the January 6 insurrection, claiming the election had been stolen. MAGA followers, flanked by far-right militant groups like the 3 Percenters and the Proud Boys, stormed the Capitol, clashing with law enforcement and chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” Although insurrectionists were pushed back and safety restored, this attack on core democratic values shook the world. Similarly, former President Jair Bolsonaro led an insurrection, directing followers to storm the Brazilian congress, contesting the winner Lula da Silva. The threat of leaders inciting insurrections after Trump is no longer a precaution but a chilling reality. Autocrats who identify Trump and Bolsonaro’s failures can implement new plans to illegally overturn elections.

An openness to act as a middleman and protector has long been the cornerstone of American foreign policy. From Wilson’s idealistic 14 points of peace to Biden’s unconditional support of Ukraine, America has always been a formidable ally for democracies. Trump’s return has redefined what it means to be on America’s side. No longer are the days of “a deal’s a deal.” Trump is letting the world know that unless they have something to give him, he will not help. This new approach can be seen in how he handled the Russo-Ukraine war. Trump and his Republicans accuse Zelensky of being a “dictator,” stealing funds from aid packages for a “collection of luxury yachts” and “handbags for his wife.” On February 28, Trump and J.D. Vance engaged in a shouting match against the war-torn president, accusing him of disrespecting the American people. Trump increasingly regurgitates Kremlin talking points, placing the burden of funding Ukraine’s war effort on the EU—a marathon they almost certainly cannot keep up with. The rise of strongman diplomacy raises concerns about placing Trump’s vendettas over strategic interests, further alienating democracies from their most powerful supporter.

The return of Trump’s administration signals a more lenient stance toward leaders accused of undermining democratic institutions. His actions risk setting a precedent for autocrats, creating a blueprint for corrupting democratic normalities and shifting governments toward authoritarian rule. By discrediting mainstream media, weaponizing populism, and embracing strongman diplomacy, Trump’s leadership will shape global democracies, whether for better or worse.