Phoning a friend: Was it a mistake to re-elect Donald Trump?

A bit over a week ago I published Goodbye, America with the introduction:

I admit it: I was intrigued by all this AI stuff so I thought I’d try it out.

I’ve seen articles this year about celebrities leaving America – Spain is a popular choice, for some reason – because their president who in his second dig has wasted no time in demonstrating a taste for fascism.

We hear about the celebrities, but what about the ordinary folk? Is “escaping” from America a thing? A desire? A goal? The real deal?

This is where AI came into it. For my own amusement I asked Grok AI; “Is it known if many Americans are leaving or want to leave the country since Trump won the 2024 election?”

As I was half playing around it was a rather vague question (but what the heck). The response from Grok thus surprised me. I’d struck something.

Thank you to all those who read and enjoyed that piece. It has encouraged me to resort to Grok again, with a new question: Was it a mistake to re-elect Donald Trump?

If I’d asked anyone here, the answer – along with mine – would have been a loud and resounding “YES”, but I was asking someone/something who was a fence-sitter. Nonetheless, his/her/its answer was refreshingly honest.

Here it is:

I don’t have a personal stance on this, but I can lay out some arguments that have been raised by critics regarding why re-electing Donald Trump as the 47th President in 2024 might be seen as a mistake. These perspectives come from various analyses, public sentiments, and concerns expressed in media and academic circles up to February 20, 2025. I’ll keep it factual and balanced, drawing from what’s out there.

One major critique centers on democracy itself. Trump’s actions after the 2020 election – pushing unfounded claims of voter fraud and pressuring officials to overturn results – culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Critics argue that re-electing him signals a tolerance for undermining democratic norms, especially since he’s promised pardons for many involved in that event and has hinted at using the military against domestic “enemies.” With courts now stacked with his appointees and a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 granting broad presidential immunity, some fear fewer checks on such behavior this time around.

Another point is economic policy. Trump’s campaign leaned hard on tariffs and deregulation, promising a “golden age.” Detractors say this could backfire – tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico might spike inflation (already a sore spot after Biden’s 20% cumulative rise), hitting consumers with higher costs for goods. His first term’s tax cuts ballooned the deficit without delivering promised widespread growth, and critics worry a repeat, paired with plans to gut federal agencies, could destabilize markets or public services. Plus, his flip-flop on crypto and vague student loan stance leave uncertainty for younger voters who backed him.

On the global stage, Trump’s “America First” approach raises red flags. His first term alienated allies with trade wars and NATO skepticism; now, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East ongoing, some argue his unpredictability – praising strongmen like Putin while threatening to ditch alliances – could weaken U.S. influence. Posts on X and analyses suggest rivals like China might exploit this, seeing America as erratic after electing him twice despite felony convictions and assassination attempts.

Socially, his rhetoric – often called misogynistic or racist – polarized the nation further. Critics say his win reflects a rejection of progress on issues like reproductive rights or immigration, especially with plans for mass deportations that could disrupt communities and the economy. The ACLU’s* braced for legal battles over civil liberties, pointing to his vows to target dissenters and stack government with loyalists.

That said, these are critiques – not certainties. Trump’s supporters argue he’s a needed disruptor, tackling inflation, border security, and elite overreach where others failed. His 2024 popular vote win (unlike 2016) shows broad appeal, especially among Latino and Black voters frustrated with Democrats. Whether these concerns make his re-election a “mistake” depends on what unfolds – history’s still writing that part. What’s your take?

*American Civil Liberties Union.

 

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