Why should Donald Trump bemuse the world?

By George Ntambaazi

Donald Trump's fiery campaign rhetoric and policy proposals have received mixed reactions in the US and around the world. Some people have referred to him as a demagogue and a dictator who poses a threat to the US economy and its security.

His verbal artillery has torn his party apart, scared his supporters, scampered his opponents, alienated undecided voters while bringing back strong anti-US feelings.

Among his controversial foreign proposals, Trump suggested to build a wall along the US-Mexican border, proposed to temporarily ban on Muslims, Arabs and Blacks from entering the US and accused Clinton and Obama of having created the Islamic State.

In the US local politics, Trump at a rally in North Carolina made comments that suggested to mean that gun rights activists should use violence to stop his opponent. On his campaign trail he mocked a disabled reporter, made sexist remarks against a female journalist, and called on punishment for women who abort.

His remarks have boasted Hilary Clinton's campaign as majority of own members have declined to endorse him and want him out of the race. 

The presumptive republican nominee departs from the general norm where US presidential candidates are expected to give messages or hope and comfort rather than using vitriolic and harsh language.

But I think the world shouldn't be surprised. Trump simply lacks a global mind-set to understand the new realities. His frame of mind is skewed in favour of the rich and powerful. He does not identify with the less privileged, poor and oppressed.

In my view, he represents the remnants of the old bigotry, rich, egoistic and arrogant America. His core supporters are the working class, white and rich voters whose lives are detached from the global depressing problems of poverty, ignorance and disease.

With his affluent roots, he does not realise the changing America and the global order. His conscience is at odds with the America he wishes to lead and the world he wants to direct. Although American problems are not the same character as those of other countries, there high rates of deviant behaviour, gun crime, mental disorder and suicide.

So, in an attempt to escape from his inner torture, the business magnet turned politician is ready to say anything. As a result, he has reaped more blame and disrepute for his country rather than praise and respect.

Opinion polls show that his ratings are going down. He has been deserted by young voters as he is more feared than trusted. Trump however is not bothered.

Ostensibly chosen by the republicans because of his big money, Trump has proved to be a political liability and a pain to the establishment.

Trump was recently quoted to have told journalists during a CNBC telephone interview that he is not scared of losing.

"I'm a truth teller. All I do is tell the truth. And if at the end of 90 days, I've fallen short because I'm somewhat politically incorrect, even though I'm supposed to be the smart one and even though I'm supposed to have a lot of good ideas, it's OK. I go back to a very good way of life,"

So, what this contest tells us is that America, the land of possibilities is capable of anything. It can produce very brilliant presidents but also many morally and ethically lacking occupiers of the Oval office. From Bill Clinton, to George Bush Jr. to Barack Obama and now to Trump/Clinton quagmire, that is the United States of America for you.

The writer is a political analyst based in Kampala, Uganda