Modern America (2016–Present): Political Polarization, Pandemic, and Global Uncertainty
The period from 2016 to the present has been defined by profound political, social, and economic upheaval. The election of Donald Trump in 2016 marked a dramatic break from the political norms of the post-Cold War era and signaled the rise of a new populist movement in American politics. Trump’s presidency was characterized by fierce political polarization, challenges to democratic institutions, and a redefinition of America’s role in the global order. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further destabilized American society, exposing deep inequalities in healthcare and economic opportunity while fueling social and political tensions. The election of Joe Biden in 2020 reflected a desire for political stability and national recovery, but the challenges of public health, economic inequality, climate change, and geopolitical instability have continued to test the resilience of American democracy.
I. The Election of Donald Trump and the Rise of Populism (2016–2020)
The 2016 Election
The election of Donald Trump in 2016 was one of the most shocking and politically disruptive events in modern American history. Trump, a real estate magnate and reality television star with no previous political experience, launched his campaign in 2015 with inflammatory rhetoric targeting immigrants, Muslims, and political elites. Running on the slogan “Make America Great Again,” Trump promised to restore American manufacturing, build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and challenge the political establishment in Washington.
Trump’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, a former First Lady, senator, and Secretary of State, represented continuity with the political establishment. Clinton’s campaign emphasized experience, inclusiveness, and the defense of liberal democratic values. However, Clinton struggled to overcome perceptions of dishonesty tied to her use of a private email server during her time at the State Department.
The campaign was marred by unprecedented foreign interference. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russian operatives had carried out cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and disseminated disinformation through social media to undermine Clinton and support Trump.
Despite trailing Clinton in most national polls, Trump secured a narrow but decisive victory in the Electoral College—winning 304 electoral votes to Clinton’s 227—despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes. Trump’s victory was powered by strong support in industrial Midwestern states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, where working-class voters responded to his message of economic nationalism and opposition to free trade agreements.
Early Domestic Policy and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017)
Trump entered office with a Republican-controlled Congress, giving him the political capital to enact key elements of his domestic agenda. His first major legislative victory was the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017. The law lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and reduced individual tax rates, particularly for high-income earners.
Supporters argued that the tax cuts would stimulate economic growth and encourage business investment. However, critics contended that the benefits were skewed toward the wealthy and that the law would increase the federal deficit—which rose from $665 billion in 2017 to over $1 trillion by 2019.
Judicial Appointments and the Transformation of the Federal Judiciary
Trump’s most enduring domestic legacy may be his influence on the federal judiciary. Over the course of his presidency, Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch (2017), Brett Kavanaugh (2018), and Amy Coney Barrett (2020)—shifting the Court’s ideological balance decisively to the right. Trump’s appointees also filled more than 200 federal judgeships, giving conservatives a strong influence over the judiciary for decades.
Immigration Policy and the Border Wall
Immigration was a central focus of Trump’s presidency. He signed executive orders that restricted travel from several Muslim-majority countries (the “Muslim Ban”) and attempted to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.
Trump also directed funds toward the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, though only portions of the wall were completed by the end of his term. His administration implemented a policy of family separation at the border, which led to thousands of children being held in detention centers—a policy widely condemned by human rights organizations.
Impeachment and Political Conflict
Trump became the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. In December 2019, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his efforts to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
The Senate, controlled by Republicans, acquitted Trump in February 2020. The impeachment process deepened political divisions, as Trump characterized the investigation as a “witch hunt” and his supporters viewed it as evidence of elite hostility toward his presidency.
II. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Collapse (2020–2021)
The most profound crisis of Trump’s presidency—and one of the most transformative events in modern American history—was the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, rapidly spread across the globe. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. State and local governments imposed lockdowns, closed schools and businesses, and implemented social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Trump’s response to the pandemic was widely criticized. He downplayed the severity of the virus, promoted unproven treatments, and resisted calls for a coordinated federal response. By the end of Trump’s presidency, over 400,000 Americans had died from COVID-19—the highest death toll of any country in the world.
The pandemic also triggered a sharp economic downturn. The U.S. unemployment rate rose from 3.5% in February 2020 to 14.7% in April—the highest level since the Great Depression. Congress passed a series of relief measures, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided direct payments to Americans and created the Paycheck Protection Program to support small businesses.
III. The 2020 Election and the Insurrection of January 6, 2021
The 2020 presidential election between Trump and Joe Biden took place in the shadow of the pandemic and social unrest. Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president, campaigned on restoring national unity and managing the pandemic more effectively.
Biden won the election with 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232 and received over 81 million votes—the most in U.S. history. Trump refused to concede, falsely claiming that the election was “rigged.” On January 6, 2021, a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn the electoral certification. The attack resulted in five deaths and over 140 injuries to law enforcement officers. Trump was impeached for a second time for incitement of insurrection but was again acquitted by the Senate.
IV. The Biden Presidency and the Path to Recovery
Joe Biden entered office in January 2021 facing enormous challenges: the ongoing pandemic, economic instability, and deep political division. His administration prioritized a national vaccination program and signed the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, a $1.9 trillion stimulus package aimed at supporting families and businesses affected by the pandemic.
Biden also pursued an ambitious infrastructure plan, increased support for green energy, and sought to expand healthcare access. However, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising geopolitical tensions—particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—have created new challenges for the administration.
V. Legacy and Continuing Challenges
Modern America remains deeply polarized. The political realignment that began with Trump’s election continues to reshape the two-party system, and questions about democracy, racial justice, and America’s global role remain unresolved. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated economic and technological changes, raising questions about inequality and the future of work. As the nation navigates these complex challenges, the resilience of American democracy and the strength of its institutions will define the next chapter in the nation’s history.