theguardian.com
Trump's Shadow Presidency Challenges Biden's Waning Influence
Following his election victory, Donald Trump is actively shaping US policy and engaging with foreign leaders before his inauguration, contrasting with President Biden's diminishing influence and concluding presidency marked by low media coverage and internal criticism.
- What are the long-term implications of this power shift for US domestic and international relations, considering the potential erosion of democratic norms and precedents?
- The power shift from Biden to Trump showcases a potential erosion of traditional presidential transition norms. Trump's pre-inauguration actions raise questions about the future of US foreign policy and the potential for further challenges to democratic institutions. Biden's dwindling influence raises concerns about the effectiveness of his administration's concluding months.
- What are the underlying causes for President Biden's diminishing influence and the growing perception of Trump's power, and how do these relate to their respective actions?
- Trump's shadow presidency, operating from Mar-a-Lago, is influencing global affairs and the US domestic agenda. His pronouncements impact markets and international relations, while Biden's presidency concludes with diminishing public attention and internal criticism.
- How does Donald Trump's pre-inauguration activity challenge established norms of presidential transitions, and what are the immediate impacts on US domestic and foreign policy?
- Donald Trump's actions since his election victory demonstrate a departure from established norms, actively engaging with foreign leaders and influencing policy before his inauguration. This contrasts sharply with President Biden's waning influence, marked by a lack of significant media coverage for his recent African trip and a controversial pardon of his son.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing consistently emphasizes Trump's actions and influence while portraying Biden in a negative and diminished light. The headline itself sets this tone. The article's structure prioritizes Trump's activities, placing them prominently and repeatedly throughout the piece. For instance, Trump's actions are described as "dominating the Washington agenda" and "flexing his muscles with world leaders," while Biden's presidency is described as "ending with a series of whimpers." This choice of language and emphasis influences reader perception, favoring a negative view of Biden and a positive one of Trump.
Language Bias
The article employs loaded language to portray Biden negatively and Trump positively. Terms like "lame duck," "shrinking into irrelevance," and "tarnishing his legacy" are used to describe Biden. Conversely, Trump's actions are described with terms like "dominating," "flexing his muscles," and "securing the border." The use of these words shapes the reader's perception, creating a biased portrayal. More neutral alternatives could be used to describe both individuals' actions and positions.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Trump's actions and largely ignores Biden's other achievements and activities during his presidency. This omission creates an unbalanced narrative and leaves the reader with an incomplete picture of Biden's time in office. For example, Biden's trip to Africa is mentioned only briefly and its significance downplayed, while other policy initiatives are not discussed at all. This selective omission likely contributes to the negative perception of Biden presented in the piece.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the situation as a simple decline of Biden and a rise of Trump. It neglects the complexities of the political landscape and the various factors influencing both individuals' positions. It omits consideration of other political actors or influences that might shape the political climate. The narrative simplifies a multifaceted scenario into a simplistic 'winner-loser' story.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights Trump's actions that deviate from established norms of presidential transitions, potentially undermining democratic institutions and peaceful transfers of power. His preemptive engagement with foreign leaders, coupled with Biden's perceived waning influence, creates a situation of instability and uncertainty in the international arena. The potential violation of the Logan Act, although unlikely to result in prosecution, further underscores the erosion of established norms and procedures.