One of the most infuriating aspects of the 2024 election is that many voters see Trump as a very normal political candidate; while Republicans supporting 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) view Trump as a unique figure. A large number of voters believe that discussions about Trump are too intense in both directions.
If you are like most Americans and do not closely follow the news, it is easy to understand why you might view Trump in a more traditional light. Politico's analysis of Trump’s campaign ads shows that 'since early October, the ads he has aired most frequently during his campaign have been about inflation, healthcare, and Social Security—claiming that Harris would make seniors already struggling with high prices “pay more Social Security taxes,” while “illegal” immigrants would benefit.'
This is normal, traditional political messaging. Trump's ads attack Harris for previously supporting taxpayer-funded gender reassignment surgeries for individuals in prisons and immigration detention centers, also appealing to the mainstream, trying to label Harris as extreme. One challenge facing American politics is that, although a large number of Americans are engaged in the presidential election, only a very small number of voters remain truly active. The concerns of these two groups are not the same and can be quite distant.
Most people are concerned with things that directly affect their lives—prices, crime, peace. If people feel unsafe on the streets or are struggling to make ends meet, how much significance does concern for democracy really hold? In contrast, those who closely follow politics are a minority, but they pay attention to issues that are more abstract or niche for the majority. Since most people vote and then disengage, politicians almost exclusively listen to the opinions of the few most active participants.
They demand that politicians pay attention to issues that may be very important but often only concern a minority. In many administrative departments, this dynamic has led to a tug-of-war. On one hand, a few active individuals insist that the government focus on their favored causes; on the other hand, the majority of political pragmatists grab the candidate's arm with one hand while pointing to a sign that says 'the problem is the economy, idiot' with the other.