Surviving Trump: America’s Nero – Essential Tips and Insights

“If they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31)

Prior to November 5, countless Americans were already grappling with issues such as poverty, severe weather events, immigration challenges, anti-transgender legislation, criminalization of reproductive health, the destruction of homeless camps, and suppression of free speech on college campuses, among others. The election of Donald Trump and JD Vance has intensified these fears, with increased reports of attacks on transgender individuals, threats of sexual control over women on social media, racist threats towards Black college students, and violence against the homeless.

Following the election results, there has been a surge of activities aiming to counteract the expected harsh policies of Trump’s administration. This includes mass virtual meetings with organizations like MoveOn, Working Families Party, and Indivisible; interfaith prayer services; local initiatives by the Women’s March; community forums; and calls to action for the inauguration day and beyond.

While some were taken aback by the election results, others anticipated them and provided support to their communities from the outset. A public elementary school in West Harlem, New York, sent a reassuring message to its families on the eve of the election, emphasizing safety and unity regardless of the outcome.

We know emotions are running high. Today, and last week at school, many conversations in PreK through 5th grade were had and heard regarding how voting happens… worry from some students about whether they will be safe after tomorrow… We assured all children that our school, no matter what, will always be a safe place for them and their families… It is so hard feeling that this election and its outcomes could have such a huge impact on any person based on their status, race, gender identity, sexuality, religion, country of origin, and so many other identities which make our school so beautifully diverse…It is not easy being a parent/caregiver on a good day, let alone when it feels like times are so turbulent and uncertain and even, scary. We are here for you, parents, caregivers, and we are in this together. No matter what!

This message from a Title 1 school, where nearly 60% of students qualify for free school meals, highlights the potential devastating impacts of Trump’s promise to shut down the Department of Education, risking critical funding and programs for millions of students and their families.

Interestingly, not everyone viewed Trump’s election with concern. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, the world’s ten richest men grew their wealth by $64 billion immediately following Trump’s victory, as the stock market soared.

A Weakening Democracy

Donald Trump’s history of inciting an insurrection, multiple indictments and convictions, and his use of divisive rhetoric has made him the only convicted felon to be elected president, garnering over 74 million votes. His win, while clear, depended on a fragile democracy and a divided economy.

Trump’s victory, the first for a Republican in the popular vote in two decades, followed years of attacks on voting rights, exacerbated by the Supreme Court’s dismantling of the Voting Rights Act in 2013. Since then, dozens of states have enacted restrictive voting laws, significantly impeding voting access.

Alongside these challenges, widespread poverty and economic instability continue to define America’s struggling democracy: over 40% of Americans are considered poor or low-income, living paycheck-to-paycheck without basic necessities like affordable healthcare or adequate housing.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 report “Poverty in the United States: 2023,” a significant portion of the population lives on the brink of financial disaster, with disproportionate effects on people of color and nearly half of all children in the country living in poverty. Women, particularly elderly women, are slightly more affected than men.

This reality is not an outlier; it reflects conditions similar to those before the pandemic, where nearly 140 million Americans were impacted by poverty across every state and region.

Despite the significant number of eligible voters within this impoverished demographic, their concerns are often overlooked in political strategies, further marginalizing a substantial voter base.

Efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced poverty levels through expanded social programs, but these were abruptly discontinued by early 2023, reversing any progress made. Simultaneously, massive budgets were allocated for military spending while economic crises persisted domestically.

The Green Wood and the Dry

With only a third of the potential votes cast in his favor, Trump’s victory does not reflect a broad mandate. His impending term, supported by a Republican-dominated Congress, is anticipated to push aggressive policies as outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s pre-election mandate.

From ramping up deportations to dismantling social welfare and public education, Trump’s policies threaten to plunge millions into hardship with limited means for protest or dissent, particularly with his readiness to use military force against civil unrest.

This dire situation brings to mind the biblical times of the Roman Empire, when communities faced similar hardships and injustices. The story of Nero, known for his tyrannical rule that contributed to Rome’s decline, parallels the potential consequences of Trump’s governance.

As Jesus foresaw great suffering for his followers, today’s Americans must brace for potentially greater hardships under a leadership that seems to disregard the most vulnerable. The historical and biblical lessons remind us of the need for grassroots solidarity and collective action in times of great challenge.

As we approach the inauguration of Donald Trump on Martin Luther King Day, it’s crucial to remember that real change often stems from community-level efforts. Echoing the sentiment of lifting from the bottom, it’s clear that united, grassroots movements are essential for protecting and advancing the welfare of the many.