American Reckoning: Unveiling Deep Crises Under Trump 2.0
The past year under Trump 2.0 is framed as a national nightmare that has awakened Americans to long-simmering crises and neofascist tendencies within U.S. governance. Historical parallels are drawn to earlier moments when exposure to brutality and corruption—through media coverage of racial injustice and muckraking journalism—helped spur major reforms such as the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, and Progressive Era changes.
Trump is portrayed as exposing himself as a sociopath, narcissist, and chronic liar, engaging in actions that include silencing critics and undermining democratic institutions. This has led to growing outrage and mobilization, exemplified by record turnout for protests on October 18 (No Kings Day), Democratic wins in numerous local and state contests, and fractures appearing within MAGA supporters.
This reckoning reveals pervasive rot in America’s leadership class, spanning CEOs, billionaires, Wall Street bankers, media, and political elites who have either courted Trump or remained silent. The article situates these issues within a broader context of four decades of policy shifts starting with Reagan, including deregulation, privatization, free trade, Wall Street risk-taking, union-busting, monopolization, and rising inequality. These shifts are credited with the decline of the middle class and democratic norms.
Corporate profits and investor interests have been prioritized over wages and the common good, contributing to weakened democracy and reduced social mobility. The author warns that 2026 may bring further challenges as Trump and his allies try to cling to power, even as a broader awakening pushes toward social justice and renewed democratic engagement.
The piece is authored by Robert Reich, former U.S. secretary of labor, UC Berkeley professor, Guardian US columnist, and author of Coming Up Short.
