Reference News Network February 26 report. According to the website of German news television channel on February 25, political scientist Kathrin Kluver-Ashbrook believes that Trump's State of the Union speech was a defensive campaign opening without obvious effect. Trump did not propose new priorities but defended his policies so far, which "are no longer supported by most Americans." The core expectations of many Americans have not been met.
Ashbrook believes that after this appearance, it is not the lengthy speech itself - which lasted 108 minutes and set a new record - but the "core message" that spread on social media in "slices" the next day - yet it lacks news value.
After one year in power, people's trust in Trump has changed significantly. Ashbrook said that compared to his speech in Congress last year, "the number of Americans who do not believe his promises has doubled - especially in economic and immigration issues," which are precisely the focus of Trump's politics. "Many Americans feel no sense of the economic achievements claimed by the president. Instead, they no longer believe he can fulfill his core promises."
Although the overall economy is strong and the stock market is performing well, there is "everything is falling apart" behind: industrial weakness, high long-term unemployment rates, and persistent core inflation. Ashbrook said, "When Americans go shopping at the supermarket, or turn on the heating in the coldest winter in years, they realize that many things are not as Trump promised." Trump could have learned from the Biden administration that public sentiment is very important, "in the United States, campaign activities are driven by emotions, and Trump should be the most aware of this."
Ashbrook also saw defects in Trump's wording. Previous presidents like Obama directly addressed the public, while Trump's speech mainly targeted Congress. "He could have said: we see your pain." However, he instead declared that a "golden age" had arrived - a statement that has lost credibility among many voters.
Therefore, Ashbrook believes that the coalition that once propelled Trump to power is facing the risk of disintegration. Trump once mobilized an unusually large number of abstaining voters and minorities - a historic victory for the Republican Party. But now, it is precisely these groups that show increasing doubts. The political scientist said, "This historic coalition is disintegrating."
(Translator's note: Kathrin Kluver-Ashbrook was born in Berlin, her mother is American, and her father is a German-American. She was the chairperson of the German Foreign Relations Association and is currently the Executive Vice President of the Bertelsmann Foundation.) (Translated by Zhong Sirui)
Original source: toutiao.com/article/7611140022486319631/
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