Businesses in Washington, DC, are boarding up their shops, and the National Guard has been activated in preparation for potential violence once polls close on election day.

This is not a third-world capital, but the capital of the United States, where fears of election fraud claims and unrest loom large as Americans head to the polls on Tuesday.

The United States, once seen as a bastion of democracy, stands at a critical juncture, resembling a despotic country they were once accustomed to chastising for not accepting the will of the people.

Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” supporters have, over recent months, prepared to claim a rigged election if results don’t go their way on November 5.

Will they cross that line?

The answer may be yes, as Americans—like people worldwide—increasingly believe that the economy and elected leaders serve corporate interests, the elite, and the politically connected, rather than the people they are meant to serve.

It’s a grievance some are willing to act upon, even unjustifiably.

The economy—often seen as the pulse of an administration—lies at the heart of the debate.

Since taking office in 2021, President Joe Biden has overseen an economic recovery that has strengthened America by many measures.

Yet Trump and his supporters have focused on doubt and fear, rallying around the familiar banner of “Make America Great Again”.

As Biden prepares to leave office and passes the baton to his vice president, Kamala Harris, US unemployment stands at just 4.1%, while inflation, as of September 2024, has dropped to 2.4%, down from a high of 9.1% in June 2022. The stock market has surged 51% since 2021.

The question then becomes, how do you improve on record-low unemployment, cooling inflation, and a bullish stock market?

When Biden took office, the United States was still reeling from the economic fallout of the global pandemic.

Against the odds, the labour market has flourished, and the economy has achieved a “soft landing”, avoiding the deep recession once feared.

Despite the numbers, Trump and his supporters insist the US is in decline, clinging to a narrative of “recession” and “decline” that doesn’t align with the data.

A recent poll found that many Americans mistakenly believe the country is in a recession, despite indicators suggesting otherwise.

The Guardian calls it a “vibes recession”—a sentiment rather than reality, with perceptions skewed by high grocery costs that, while stabilised, haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

This discontent is not new. Many Americans still live pay cheque to pay cheque, and although inflation has eased, household budgets are still squeezed.

The on-the-ground reality is that people do not eat economic indicators.

And this is the sentiment Trump is tapping into.

Stoking fear is easier than acknowledging progress; focusing on hardship is easier than recognising gains.

This approach reveals more about Trump’s drive to divide than any accurate portrayal of economic decline.

Trump promises to restore something that, by the numbers, has not been lost.

In truth, America has weathered unprecedented challenges and emerged stronger.

As Americans vote, they should ask: is America not already great?

And while they ponder this, they may also reflect on a quote from Thomas Jefferson, a founding statesman: “The government you elect is the government you deserve.”

IOL Opinion