misho
For six weeks, the world watched as Donald Trump—carefully groomed with golden hair, bronzer, oversized pens, and a dramatic zigzag signature—starred in his latest political production, The Strongman. It was compelling, if not entirely credible, television, carried by a singular, unspoken question: What will he do next?
Understanding Trump’s actions requires acknowledging the spectacle underpinning them. His version of governance is a performance, shaped more by the conventions of show business than by policy or law. As Stephen Marche aptly observed in The Atlantic, “Washington today can be understood only as a product of show business, not of law or policy.”
In Trump’s world, there can be only one leading man—himself. Others must applaud or submit. Over recent weeks, world leaders attempted various diplomatic strategies to engage with him. French President Emmanuel Macron employed charm and subtle correction, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived bearing an invitation from actual royalty, and Australian representatives—steeped in neoliberal tradition—offered financial incentives in defense and industry deals.
Unlike President Theodore Roosevelt, who in 1902 invited Australian suffragist Vida Goldstein to discuss women’s voting rights, Trump showed little interest in meaningful dialogue with women of influence. His administration’s priorities were clear: dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and reinforce a version of capitalism that caters exclusively to the wealthy elite.
The facade of The Strongman briefly slipped when Trump morphed into his true persona: The Bully. During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump and his wingman, JD Vance, exhibited a calculated form of aggression. Zelenskyy, visibly burdened by his country’s suffering, was baited into defending himself. Trump reveled in the confrontation, reportedly remarking, “This is going to be great television.”
For many, the exchange was chillingly familiar. Women, in particular, recognized the classic tactics of bullies: belittling, gaslighting, talking over opponents, issuing veiled threats, and demanding gratitude while dismissing concerns.
Trump’s disdain for women is longstanding. He openly bragged about his entitlement to their bodies, declaring in 2005, “When you’re a star, they let you do it.” His administration wasted no time targeting DEI policies, even insinuating that diversity initiatives contributed to fatal military and aviation accidents. His directives banned DEI not only in government agencies but also in any business or institution with government ties—encompassing nearly every major sector of the economy.
The corporate world swiftly complied. Companies that had previously championed inclusion, equity, and sustainability abruptly reversed course. Australian subsidiaries of American corporations followed suit, rolling back workforce diversity programs. Even the Australian Stock Exchange abandoned its planned diversity reporting reforms. Meanwhile, proposed legislation to enforce stronger gender and equity requirements for government contractors remains stalled in the Senate, leaving women and marginalized communities vulnerable to the whims of unchecked capitalism.
Trump’s assault on DEI is just one symptom of a broader agenda envisioned by global libertarian think tanks. His administration actively dismantled institutions designed to temper the harshest impacts of capitalism. USAID, the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization, and the National Institutes of Health were all weakened or abandoned outright. These were not symbolic gestures—these institutions played tangible roles in saving lives, promoting equity, and fostering global cooperation.
Now, as I write this, Cyclone Alfred looms over my home, its winds and rains intensified by rising ocean temperatures—a direct consequence of the climate crisis that unfettered capitalism refuses to address.
The United States wields unprecedented global influence, shaping economies, politics, and culture. Yet under Trump, its trajectory is clear: a ruthless embrace of wealth accumulation at the expense of collective well-being. Fifty years of efforts to humanize capitalism—making it more inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsible—have been discarded in favor of an aggressive, winner-takes-all ideology. The consequences will be profound, leaving devastation and lost opportunities in their wake.
As we mark another International Women’s Day, one truth remains self-evident: women and the poor will bear the brunt of this transformation.
