Trump's contribution to America's political decline is evident

Supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement represent the right-wing populist faction within the Republican Party and are led by Trump, who is still the most popular figure in the party.

They are locked in and endless cycle of acrimonious, circular argument with the so-called "woke" left-wing of the Democratic Party, which emphasises issues of identity, gender, and ethnic equality.

As the US socio-political divide persists and deepens, Trump is seen as a symbol of the current state of politics, often referred to as the Trumpian era. But he is not the sole representative of this brand of divisive populism.

DeSantis v Disney

Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, also has conflicts running with the left, including one involving Disney and its theme parks in Florida.

These issues intertwine culture, homosexuality, debates over school curricula, and broader concerns about taxation and freedom of expression. It all adds up to a chaotic state of politics in the country.

While Trump did not single-handedly create the turbulent situation in the US, he certainly set a series of political precedents that were previously unimaginable.

This includes his denial of the 2020 election results, incitement of supporters to storm the Capitol building, refusal to attend his successor's inauguration, seizure of confidential documents, storing them in his home, a conviction for harassing a prominent writer, and his current indictment under anti-espionage laws.

In pictures: Trump pleads not guilty to 37 federal criminal counts in Mar-a-Lago case

These events form a series of unsettling narratives that surpass the intrigue surrounding former President Richard Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal.

If individuals shape the periods they inhabit, Donald Trump may stand out as a caricatured reflection of the broader political landscape — and not just in the US.

The Berlusconi precedent

The former Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, who died just a few days ago, was known for his scandalous behaviour and controversial actions. Trump was said to be inspired by his leadership style which captured headlines with his antics and is credited with ushering in an era where prominent people in business take centre stage in politics rather than remaining behind the scenes to manipulate political figures like puppets.

Read more: Silvio Berlusconi: The charismatic Italian premier who could not escape controversy

Trump's critics argue that his language is limited, often relying on a repetitive set of vocabulary. However, the significance of his linguistic style in this context is relatively minor. While Trump is not known for his intellect or cultural contributions, it is plausible that his deliberate and repeated use of specific words and slogans is part of a calculated, populist persona.

Despite being a billionaire who frequently travels by private plane between his resorts and golf courses, he presents himself as the champion of ordinary Americans who believe they worse off due to the "deep state" in Washington.

According to Trump, these Americans are undermined by his adversaries, whether they belong to the Democratic Party, such as President Joe Biden and former White House candidate Hillary Clinton, or even within the Republican Party itself.

That includes figures like Mike Pence, his former vice president and Liz Cheney, the former congresswoman, who lost her seat due to opposing what she referred to as Trump's "charade".

Oversimplification

Trump's supporters are often portrayed as hardworking, patriotic Americans who feel burdened by taxes that they believe benefit opportunistic politicians in a distant capital.

Trump, in turn, has ridiculed alternative energy sources and attempts to impose gun controls, even though weapons have been used in numerous school and mass shootings. He has also vehemently denied the existence of climate change.

On Trump's programme, these contentious issues are sidelined, while politics becomes a battleground between him as the representative of absolute good and opponents he portrays as evil.

This oversimplification undermines rational debates about programmes, projects, and policy differences, potentially eroding the foundation of reasoned discourse.