Populism : Trump’s Political Response to Social Crisis

Often reduced to racism and protectionism by European public opinion, the notion of populism stems from a broad political history rooted in the United States. Although the concept shifts politically from right to left, a common denominator remains: a social unrest that emphasize a rejection of traditional political system and parties. A denorminator that Donald Trump, who took office in January 2025, took advantage of through his speeches and virulent rhetoric to won over voters during his campaign. To better understand the issues surrounding this topic, Don David Guttenplan, editor-in-chief of The Nation, answers our questions.

• How has the notion of populism evolved throughout U.S. history, and to what extent can it be linked to a particular political class?

• While a resurgence of populism is often discussed in European political discourse, what is the situation in the United States under the Trump administration? Does the understanding of populism differ on either side of the Atlantic?

• In a context of growing polarisation, to what extent does Donald Trump’s political agenda threaten the cohesion of the American federal state?