Donald Trump did not cause America's democratic crisis of faith

Host: The evening was drawing to a close, the golden light of the setting sun slowly giving way to the cool shadows of night. The city outside was quieting, the hum of daily life fading into the background. Inside, the air felt peaceful, the kind of quiet that makes you reflect on everything that’s passed and what’s yet to come. Jeeny sat at the table, her hands gently holding her mug, steam rising from it like a soft whisper. Jack stood by the window, looking out at the world, his gaze distant and deep in thought. The room was still, suspended in that timeless moment before the conversation began.

Host: The silence hung in the air between them, and it was Jeeny who broke it, her voice calm but carrying the weight of something profound. She spoke softly, but with an intensity that could not be ignored.

Jeeny: “I was thinking about something David Olusoga said: ‘Donald Trump did not cause America’s democratic crisis of faith, he rode to power on it. Once in control, he and other populists discovered their room for manoeuvre was expanded by the same disillusionment that helped them into office.’ Do you agree with that, Jack? That the crisis of faith in the system, the disillusionment of the people, created the conditions for populist leaders to rise to power?”

Jack: He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered her words. “It’s an interesting point, Jeeny. But I don’t know if I see it that way. Populists didn’t just come out of nowhere. They saw a crack in the system and took advantage of it. Yes, people were disillusioned, but Trump didn’t create that. He capitalized on it. And when you have a country that’s divided, it’s easier to rise by tapping into those fears and anger.”

Jeeny: Her gaze stayed steady, her voice soft but firm. “But don’t you think that disillusionment was already there, Jack? It wasn’t something Trump created, but something that had been building for years. People were already losing faith in the government, in the establishment, and in the system itself. Trump, and others like him, didn’t create that crisis. They just gave it a voice. They found a way to channel the discontent into something that served their own interests. Populism thrives on the belief that the system is broken and that it needs to be replaced, even if that replacement is based on illusion.”

Jack: He shifted his weight slightly, crossing his arms, still unsure. “I get that, but how is that different from any other political movement? People have always been dissatisfied with the system, and leaders have always risen on the back of that. What makes Trump and these other populists different is the way they turned discontent into polarization. They didn’t just address the problem, they amplified it. They fed into the anger, the division, and then claimed that only they could fix it. Isn’t that the dangerous part?”

Jeeny: She leaned forward slightly, her voice growing more intense, the words coming faster now, like a river breaking through a dam. “Yes, it’s the manipulation of fear and division that makes it so dangerous. Populists take the truth of people’s frustration and use it to deceive. They don’t offer solutions, they offer scapegoats. They blame others for the problem and present themselves as the answer. But the real danger is not just in the leaders — it’s in the people who believe them. It’s in the disillusioned who are so desperate for change that they’ll follow anyone who promises it, no matter how hollow those promises are.”

Jack: His expression softened, his gaze shifting toward the window again, as if processing her words. “I see what you mean. But don’t you think that anger is justified? People have been marginalized for so long, forgotten by the system. Trump and others tapped into that frustration, and for many, it felt like their last chance to be heard. Doesn’t that speak to something deeper than just political manipulation?”

Jeeny: She nodded slowly, her eyes filled with empathy, but there was still a sense of clarity in her voice. “Yes, the anger is justified, Jack. But disillusionment isn’t the same as hope. Populism preys on disillusionment without offering a real path to change. It tells people that the problem is outside, that it’s the fault of others. But real change comes from understanding that the system is flawed, yes, but that the answer isn’t to tear everything down and replace it with a new illusion. The answer lies in fixing the system with truth, inclusivity, and accountability.”

Jack: He turned back to her, his expression softer, the walls of skepticism beginning to fall. “So, you’re saying that populism isn’t the solution, even if it’s born from real frustration? The answer is to repair the system, not to destroy it?”

Jeeny: Her smile was quiet but knowing, her eyes steady. “Exactly. Populism might rise from real problems, but it doesn’t solve them. It only deepens the divide. Healing comes from addressing the root causes — the inequality, the division, the lack of trust — and working together to build something better, something that includes everyone, not just the few.”

Host: The room had grown still, the quiet of the evening deepening into a peaceful understanding. Jack stood near the window, his gaze thoughtful, the weight of their conversation settling in. Jeeny remained at the table, her posture relaxed, but the clarity between them was unmistakable. The night outside had fully taken over, but inside, the conversation had settled into a new truth — that disillusionment alone cannot bring about true change. It takes a collective effort to heal, to repair what’s broken, and to create something built on trust and unity, not fear and division.

Jack: “I think I get it now. Disillusionment can’t be solved with division. Healing comes from unity and working together to repair the system, not just tearing it down.”

Jeeny: Her smile was soft, the peace between them deepening. “Yes. Change comes from truth, from working together, not from scapegoating and division.”

Host: The night outside had deepened, but inside the room, the understanding had settled like a quiet truth. Jack and Jeeny had found common ground, recognizing that true change comes not from populism or division, but from healing the system with truth and unity. The evening closed with that shared insight, a reminder that the path forward isn’t through anger or manipulation, but through collaboration and respect for all voices.