The Trump effect: How much does populism drive policy?

The Debate

As Europe waits on France to form a government, as the world waits on the US to pick a president, who drives the agenda?

In the wake of the January 6th 2021 storming of the US Capitol, the rest of the world thought there is no way Americans would ever again elect Donald Trump.

So why – despite all the initial excitement around Kamala Harris, despite charges that include trying to overturn an election – is he still ahead in the polls going into Tuesday’s night’s debate against the vice president?

The Democrats have scored points on issues like women’s rights – all the while shifting towards Trump’s views on trade and immigration. How much of a shift? To what degree are self-styled illiberals driving policy in 2024?

Here in France, where the president has tapped a Gaullist conservative to try and form a government that’s palatable to a divided new parliament, Trump admirer Marine Le Pen insists that she in no way had a hand in Emmanuel Macron’s pick of Michel Barnier even though the far-right leader has clearly emerged as kingmaker from an inconclusive snap election. Are the illiberals winning the battle of ideas?

Produced by Andrew Hilliar, Rebecca Gnignati, Ilayda Habip and Juliette Brown.