Populism has seen a significant upsurge in the political scene worldwide, as evidenced by the rise of charismatic leaders who stand up for the issues and goals of the so-called "common people" against those believed to be elites. In America, Donald Trump's effective manipulation of populist feelings to win the 2016 presidential election was one of the most significant examples of this global surge of populism. In addition to signalling a sea change in American politics, the election raised awareness of and scrutiny of populist movements around the globe. Understanding the intricacies of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and Donald Trump's contribution to globalising the narrative of populist politics is essential to understanding the mechanics of this phenomenon. A further feature of populism in the political sphere is its inclination to criticise the "elites" or the "establishment."

The 2016 US presidential winner, Donald Trump, rose to prominence with his populist campaign, marketed under the slogan "Make America Great Again." By taking stances against trade agreements, immigration regulations, and globalisation, he impacted a sizable percentage of voters. With his catchphrases such as "America First," Trump—who has maintained that the American race is superior—has built an ideology centred around the idea that the country may achieve political independence. He has reached a sizeable populist audience, especially in America. Supporters of Trump, who see themselves as the real people,' think that they embody the true spirit of the country and view other groups as those who support policies that are antithetical to theirs and impede American advancement. The term "populism" has gained prominence in international relations literature in response to Donald Trump and the 2016 elections. The rise of Donald Trump's populism made immigration laws in the United States a significant topic of discussion. Several steps were taken to fortify borders and regulate immigration during the Trump administration. The pledge to build a "Mexico wall," mainly, was conspicuous for reflecting Trump's populist discourse. In addition to fortifying borders, this program prioritised and restricted immigration into the United States. In addition to security and economic considerations, the Populist approach affected immigration policies by asserting that they were designed to protect "Real Americans." However, because the immigration issue contains complicated humanitarian and cultural components in addition to security, critics of the policies regarded them as divisive and controversial. To defend American goods and services, Trump imposed additional tariffs and customs charges on goods imported from other nations. Particularly notable cases of these levies included China, the EU, and Canada. This choice amply demonstrated the populist nature of the business world, serving to both uphold the worth of American products and perpetuate the notion that any trade product entering the country is of insufficient quality to be sold in the United States. The domestic populace and the international commerce community were the targets of this strategy.

In conclusion, the rise of populism highlights the changing nature of international politics, as strikingly demonstrated by Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 US presidential election. Populist discourse, which emphasises the alleged opposition of ordinary people to established elites, has gained traction and impacted political environments globally, even outside national boundaries. Upon contemplating the ramifications of this pattern, it is apparent that the worldwide emergence of populism is a complex phenomenon with extensive effects. Policymakers, academics, and people must all have a thorough understanding of its causes, effects, and expressions to effectively traverse the complicated modern political environments that are influenced by the long-lasting legacy of populist movements.

 

https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/1086258

https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ulisa/issue/78310/1307491