Support Village Voice News With a Donation of Your Choice.
Mark DaCosta- In an insightful conversation with Village Voice News on November 8, 2024, Lincoln Lewis, the General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), shared his concerns about the implications of Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. president, drawing sharp parallels between Trump’s political tactics and those of Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. Through his critique, Lewis painted a picture of the rise of autocratic leaders and the exploitation of racial divisions, not only in the U.S. but in Guyana as well.
Lewis argued that the election of Donald Trump, despite his controversial actions and divisive rhetoric, was the result of deep-rooted issues in American society. In his view, three primary factors played a pivotal role in propelling Trump.
Racism, xenophobia, and illiteracy underlying factors that propelled Trump’s rise
“Racism, xenophobia, and illiteracy were the underlying factors that propelled Trump’s rise. Of these, racism is the most significant,” Lewis stated. He noted that Trump’s appeal to white Americans was grounded in both overt and subtle forms of racism. “Trump has made his racist appeals both openly and in a veiled way. His false depiction of Latinos as rapists and criminals, the characterisation of Puerto Ricans as ‘garbage,’ and his support for white supremacist messages — all these actions were blatant examples of racism. But the dog whistle that truly captured the white American electorate was his slogan, ‘Make America Great Again.’”
For Lewis, the slogan wasn’t just about political nostalgia; it was a coded message to white Americans, tapping into their fears of losing racial and cultural dominance. He argued that Trump’s use of “Make America Great Again” was a calculated appeal to white supremacy. “That dog whistle is an appeal for white supremacy,” Lewis said.
Lewis emphasised that Trump’s message resonated because it exploited existing racial anxieties that had been simmering beneath the surface of American society for years. “Trump recognised that racism was a latent force in America, and he used it to his advantage,” he said. “He successfully tapped into the fears of many white Americans who felt they were losing their place in society.”
Alongside racism, Lewis identified political illiteracy as another key factor in Trump’s rise. He argued that Trump’s ability to manipulate a less literate electorate played a crucial role in his victory. “Trump succeeded in destroying the moral compass of many less literate and xenophobic Americans,” Lewis asserted. “He convinced people, especially those with limited political understanding, that his version of reality was the truth.”
According to Lewis, the less literate sections of the electorate were particularly susceptible to Trump’s false narratives. “Unlike Barack Obama, who had to prove he was born in the U.S., or Kamala Harris, who was accused of not being black enough, Trump was never held accountable for his actions or lies,” he remarked. “He enters the White House despite being a convicted felon, an accused rapist, and an insurrectionist. And yet, he faced no real consequences, not even from the mainstream media.”
Lewis noted that Trump’s success hinged on his ability to circumvent scrutiny, particularly regarding his cognitive abilities and the integrity of his policies. He pointed out the media’s focus on Joe Biden’s mental health while ignoring Trump’s much more obvious cognitive lapses. “When Biden was still in the race, the media was questioning his mental health, despite the fact that Trump clearly has serious cognitive issues, far more than Biden,” Lewis observed.
Striking similarities between Trump and Jagdeo
The conversation took a particularly striking turn when Lewis compared Donald Trump to Guyana’s own Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. According to Lewis, Jagdeo, like Trump, has used racial politics to consolidate power, appealing to specific ethnic groups in a manner that mirrors Trump’s appeal to white voters in the U.S.
“Jagdeo is Guyana’s Trump,” Lewis stated unequivocally. “Both men are adept at using race to elevate their political standing. They know how to exploit ethnic divisions and fears to maintain control.” Lewis noted that Jagdeo’s political strategies are increasingly resembling those of Trump.
Lewis pointed out that Jagdeo’s admiration for Trump is evident in his political rhetoric and strategies. “Jagdeo sees in Trump a mirror image of himself. Both use race to elevate themselves,” he remarked.
“Jagdeo, like Trump, has successfully exploited divisions in society to maintain power, and now, after Trump’s re-election, Jagdeo is looking to further strengthen his ties with the U.S. government under the new administration.”
Indeed, Jagdeo had recently indicated that the Guyana government would work closely with the incoming Trump administration, particularly to counter opposition allegations of corruption, incompetence, and ties to China. “We’re looking forward to debunking all of the lies particularly with the new administration when it takes office in January,” Jagdeo told reporters on November 7, referring to the criticisms of the PPP government.
For Lewis, this was an alarming development. “Jagdeo is enthralled by Trump’s success. He wants to emulate Trump’s tactics in Guyana. His stated intention to reach out to the Trump administration is part of his broader strategy to consolidate power,” Lewis explained.
Growing individualism and political illiteracy have allowed autocratic to thrive
Lewis also raised concerns about the growing individualism and political illiteracy that have allowed autocratic figures like Trump and Jagdeo to thrive. “Illiteracy is a weapon for autocratic leaders,” he said. “When people don’t understand the real issues and are easily swayed by emotional appeals, they become more susceptible to manipulation. Trump and Jagdeo have both used this to their advantage.”
The veteran trade unionist further warned against the dangerous admiration for wealth and power, which has become prevalent in many societies, including Guyana. “Societies have become individualistic over the years, setting the stage for the ascent of people like Trump and Jagdeo,” he observed. “We admire billionaires who accumulate wealth off the sweat of underpaid workers, while we no longer praise altruism or philanthropy. We admire rich people, even if they became wealthy through dishonest means, such as selling drugs or stealing from the treasury. We reward them with political power and public admiration.”
Looking ahead, Lewis urged Guyanese citizens to take heed of the lessons from Trump’s re-election and the rise of autocratic leaders like Jagdeo. “The world has changed with the election of Trump,” Lewis cautioned. “Everything is in flux. Guyanese will do well to watch what happens now, because it could very well be a preview of what is to come in our own country.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of political vigilance. “We must watch the US as a barometer for what may be in store for our own future. As the political climate shifts globally, we must be aware of how such forces could manifest in Guyana, especially with leaders like Jagdeo, who are adept at manipulating divisions for political gain.”
In his reflection, Lewis offered a sobering reminder: the rise of autocratic leaders and the use of race and fear to maintain power are not isolated phenomena — they are global trends that require critical attention.
