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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Simon Tisdall

Contempt for human rights, trashing allies: the world’s populists are rubbing their hands with glee

Donald Trump looking defiant pointing into the camera.
‘Trump is propelled by passion, not policy… politics is primarily about emotional responses.’ Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Feelings are not the usual focus of a world dominated by macho strongmen, complex geopolitical challenges, wars and disasters. Yet every rule has exceptions. Following Donald Trump’s unexpectedly decisive US election victory, dark storm clouds seeded with powerful emotions overshadow the international landscape.

Feelings of shock and anger that this lying conman again seduced enough voters to win the presidency roil America’s friends and allies. There is incredulity that so very many people collaborated in their own seduction. And there is puzzlement at exit polls that show 45% of female voters backed a serial sexual predator while Latino and black men helped a shameless racist to prevail.

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