Understanding Trump's successes cannot be done through the lens of traditional political logic. He is not a new kind of conservative; he is, quite simply, the CEO of the USA once again and the world is his marketplace. This is the foundation of his entire worldview. He doesn't care about politics, he builds businesses. And that's why his actions feel logical to so many voters - it’s a mindset that dominates the Western world and has infiltrated all our systems, from healthcare to education, turning everything into a transaction. The fact that this perspective has now fully entered the realm of politics should not be a surprise to us.
In Donald Trump's world, countries are not nations but enterprises where deals are negotiated, and resources optimized. He views Greenland as a potential asset to be strategically acquired from Denmark to strengthen the U.S.'s position and create synergies. He explores the possibility of merging with Canada to streamline operations across North America. Panama, on the other hand, is described as a business partner that must align with the U.S.'s corporate model or risk losing investments and support.
It also defines how he appoints individuals to high-ranking positions. Ministerial and ambassadorial roles often go to businessmen and corporate leaders rather than political experts. An example is the appointment of a former CEO of a fracking company to oversee energy and environmental policy.
This corporate logic pervades everything he does today: relationships, statements, appointments, and political decisions. With the U.S. as his company and voters as shareholders, Trump has created a new global framework where short-term gains and business opportunities overshadow traditional diplomatic values and long-term collaboration.
Perhaps the clearest example of this is Trump’s relationship with Elon Musk, who acts as COO and does some of the dirty work. Musk has already shown the power to influence international relations and conflicts - in ways previously reserved for nations - in Ukraine and now, he is off micromanaging Great Britain and Germany.
Nothing is more dangerous to democracy than when politics is run like a corporation. All of its core values - participation, accountability, and long-term vision - risk being undermined. While the focus on short-term, measurable results can provide decisiveness - especially during crises - what happens when societal needs and climate crises are completely eclipsed by market logic?
The world needs a politics that doesn't view the world as merely a market full of transactions but as a shared home that must be safeguarded for future generations. To achieve this, we must move beyond the outdated dichotomy of left and right and instead frame our decisions in terms of long-term versus short-term thinking. It’s not about ideology anymore but about building a safe home for future generations.