Trump’s win ‘less about respectability politics’ – Jamaican lawyer

Political analysts and global citizens have been weighing on the outcome of the 78-year-old Trump leading the Republican party to a convincing victory despite numerous polls forecasting a much tighter contest that was too close to call one way of another for either candidate.

Among those conducting a post mortem of the US Election after former president Trump left Democrats licking their wounds, is Jamaican lawyer Melissa Simms who spent much of youth and adult life here in southwest St Catherine.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Simms' analysis of Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election highlights a critical perspective on why voters might have supported him, despite his controversial character and legal troubles. Her comments emphasize a key point: that many voters prioritized tangible policy outcomes and the prospect of economic improvement over concerns about a politician’s personal conduct or legal issues.

“Trump’s win is unprecedented. Won despite legal troubles, established poor character, traditional media against him, without the backing of GOP heavyweights and former members of his cabinet,” she wrote.

She argues that Trump's appeal to "ordinary people" wasn't rooted in issues like race or gender, but in his promises to address their real-world concerns – primarily economic and political disillusionment with the status quo. She suggests that, for these voters, the substance of Trump’s policy positions was more important than his character flaws, which the media and his political rivals try to magnify throughout the election campaign.

“To reduce Trump’s win to racism and gender only is to overlook the fact that ordinary people voted for him because they feel the current system isn't serving their interests. They care little about his character and felon status in the face of their concerns,” she said.

The idea that “all politics is local” is an important takeaway from Simms’ perspective. This reflects a shift from idealistic or abstract concerns, like political civility or personal morality, to more pragmatic considerations, such as job security, economic growth, and whether a leader can deliver the policies voters care about. It also touches on the divide between elite, establishment politics and the more populist, grassroots concerns of ordinary citizens, who may feel disconnected from the traditional political class.

Simms added: “In the end all politics is local. Voters care less about respectability politics, it’s about what they believe you can do for them and not about what you are. A big takeaway from this election.”

Trump’s ability to connect with working-class voters who feel ignored or marginalized by the political system could explain why he continues to maintain strong support despite the controversies surrounding him. This phenomenon isn't new. Trump has often framed himself as an outsider who challenges the “deep state” and represents the interests of the people, making him a symbol of defiance against what many view as a corrupt or ineffective system.

However, there’s also the counter-argument that Trump’s victory represents a dangerous normalizing of disregard for the ethical standards that traditionally guided American leadership. Critics would argue that a leader with a history of legal issues and questionable behavior sets a troubling precedent for what voters are willing to tolerate.

At the heart of this debate is a deeper question about the future of American democracy: Will voters continue to prioritize results over character? Or will there be a growing demand for leaders who combine policy expertise with personal integrity? How this dynamic plays out in future elections could have lasting implications for both American politics and global perceptions of the United States.

As for the more than 71 million Americans who voted for Trump, they couldn’t care less how others want to redefine their chosen leader. And as Simms stated for these voters they believe in what Trump can done for them and less about his persona.

Trump’s win is unprecedented. Won despite legal troubles, established poor character, traditional media against him, without the backing of GOP heavyweights and former members of his cabinet.

— ML. Simms (@ML_Simms1) November 6, 2024