Trump Will Face Challenges Implementing His Right-Wing Populist Rhetoric*

*Editor’s note: On March 4, 2022, Russia enacted a law that criminalizes public opposition to, or independent news reporting about, the war in Ukraine. The law makes it a crime to call the war a “war” rather than a “special military operation” on social media or in a news article or broadcast. The law is understood to penalize any language that “discredits” Russia’s use of its military in Ukraine, calls for sanctions or protests Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It punishes anyone found to spread “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison.

Trump’s pressure on Denmark over Greenland is an extremely interesting story.

One could view Donald Trump’s sharp remarks about his closest neighbors as bold political rhetoric, but they align closely with his ideological platform, which is rooted in right-wing populism. Tensions with neighbors, particularly with Mexico and Canada, were also a hallmark of Trump’s first term. There were issues related to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, for example, a treaty that was replaced by a new deal. Migration-related challenges led to the construction of a border wall with Mexico. Trump also made inflammatory remarks about immigrants from countries in Latin America during both his election campaigns. Recently, he made headlines with his remarks suggesting that Canada could become a U.S. state, his threats to raise tariffs on Mexico and his criticism of European allies.

All of this is a natural continuation of Trump’s right-wing populist political agenda and a characteristic feature of his “America First” policy. At its core is prioritizing American national interests. Anything that does not align with those interests or gets in the way of achieving them must be overcome, revised, or suppressed. We saw this approach during Trump’s first term, where it manifested itself in trade wars with China, India, and even the European Union — America’s closest allies and partners. It also involved imposing sanctions, particularly on Russia.

Trump’s second term is likely to bring a new set of targets as the policy of American exceptionalism persists. Denmark and its territory, Greenland, are now part of this group. Although Trump made similar overtures before and even proposed buying Greenland, the issue faded. Ideologically, this is consistent with the broader framework of Trumpism. What is interesting is the storyline itself, the way the question is framed, the new demands, the revision of the status quo, and the unprecedented pressure Trump is exerting on allies and partners.

How Trump will make this happen is another matter. Rhetoric is one thing, but actually implementing a specific political agenda is another, as it involves institutional issues, the international system, and a number of restraining factors. Even within the scope of presidential power, Trump will face opposition from the Democratic Party and factions within the Republican Party — including the traditional party elite, moderate liberal-conservatives, and more radical right-wing elements. These groups will likely serve as a check on his ability to fully implement his agenda.

There are also significant international constraints that affect the execution of foreign policy, including the availability of material and human resources. Furthermore, it’s crucial to recognize that the international system is evolving. The U.S. is increasingly finding it difficult to pursue unilateral policies. Competing power centers, particularly Russia and China, are providing a counterbalance to the U.S., affecting both the international order and America’s global influence. As a result, a range of external, international, systemic, and domestic factors will limit Trump’s ability to realize his right-wing populist ideological vision.

The author is a political scientist.