This episode was recorded before President Biden stepped down from the 2024 presidential race.
In a week marked by political turbulence, the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the nomination of J.D. Vance as his running mate have underscored the intensifying vitriol and violence in American politics. These events reflect the deepening divisions within the country and the evolving nature of Trumpism.
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump is the latest in a series of violent incidents that highlight the dangerous polarisation in American life. The immediate reaction from many, including panellists, was one of shock and concern over the state of the nation's political climate but also a resignation to the violence that is endemic in the American Republic.
Where were you when you heard the news, of the attempt on Trump isn't as generationally diffing as the assisination of Kenndy but that is where I started the show. Denise Hamilton, described her initial disbelief upon hearing the news, "I think it's just a mentally ill kid that is yet another one that got access to guns and did something ridiculous and terrible," she stated. This sentiment was echoed by Michael Donoghue, who noted, "I think I appreciate what I would consider to be the fairly accurate response on the Democratic side, led by Biden, to denounce any sort of political violence," he commented. Tellingly Aram Fischer's first response was “assuming he's not seriously injured, I really hope the shooter isn't on my side of politics.” The prompt denouncement of such acts is crucial, yet it underscores the broader issue of political violence becoming a recurring theme in American life.
Amidst this backdrop of violence, Donald Trump's selection of J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential nominee is a significant and symbolic move. Vance, once a vocal critic of Trump, has undergone a striking transformation, aligning himself closely with the former president's brand of populism. The nomination is a doubling down on the core principles of Trumpism rather than an effort to broaden its appeal, Vance is to the right of Trump on many issues.
Ira Shapiro and Fischer, expressed scepticism about Vance's ability to attract a wider voter base. Fischer pointed out that Vance’s past criticisms of Trump and his controversial policy positions make him an unlikely candidate to win over moderates or younger voters. "J.D. Vance is the kind of guy who will do, quote unquote, what needs to be done on January 6th," Fischer observed with a twink to Trump’s previous VP Mike Pence. Instead, his nomination seems to solidify Trump’s grip on the Republican Party.
Denise Hamilton highlighted Vance’s stances on issues like same-sex marriage and birth control, describing them as out of touch with the priorities of younger generations. "Gen Z is not stupid. Gen Z is a very savvy generation and J.D. Vance is the physical embodiment of what they don't want," she argued. Vance's nomination, she contended, reflects a strategy focused on deepening existing loyalties rather than reaching across the aisle.
The nomination of J.D. Vance also signals a potential future for Trumpism that is both deeply rooted in its original ethos but is looking towards a world after Trump. Trump’s decision to choose Vance, a figure who embodies the same combative and uncompromising style, but with a smarter, more polished rhetoric.
As Shapiro noted, this choice indicates that Trump and his advisors believe they can win without expanding their appeal, relying instead on a fervent base. "I think the J.D. Vance selection is that he's quite confident that Vance will do everything he wants," Shapiro said. This strategy will only entrench divisions within the country, as it prioritises loyalty and ideological purity over broader electoral considerations.
The events of last week serve as a stark reminder of the volatile state of American politics. The rise in political violence and the nomination of a controversial figure like J.D. Vance reflects a landscape where polarisation and extremism are becoming the norm. As the nation moves towards the next election, the implications of these developments will likely shape the future of both Trumpism and American democracy.
The Rising Tide of Political Vitriol and Violence in America: