According to the majority of French media, the campaign would have opposed a Donald Trump unleashed in excess and insult to a kind Kamala Harris respectful of customs. In editorialist language, we call this extreme polarization for which Donald Trump is solely responsible.
We have to be honest, it is certainly Donald Trump who normalized insult and fabrication in politics. Besides, now we are talking about Trumpism. But this time, it flew high on both sides. Kamala Harris called Donald Trump a “fascist”“unfit”, “disturbed”. He responded with “Communist”,“idiot”, “retarded”. He also treated his opponents “enemies from within“and Puerto Rico”floating trash can“. To which Joe Biden replied: “the only trash are Trump voters“. The nursery school is not the best attended.
For 75% of Americans, democracy is threatened. And they are right. Democracy is not just procedures or rules but a state of mind. This is civilized disagreement: The other is legitimate, he belongs to the same political community as me, so I accept his victory. But when stores board up before an election, this minimal agreement for disagreement does not exist.
Are we there in France?
The day before the 2th legislative round, it was the same. In Paris, riots were expected in the event of a National Rally victory. Trumpization has won public life and the National Assembly. LFIists call their opponents fascists and racists every day, but beyond the insult, the conscious lie strikes me the most. The New Popular Front says that the election was stolen from them, and that the government is not legitimate. The Republican front is also an organized gang lie. Who believes in the fascist threat?
How to explain it? There is a general decline in the level of education. What can we expect from a Louis Boyard or an Ersilia Soudais?
The role of social networks is also immense. It is a devastating force of desocialization. It removes inhibitions. We don't say everything that comes to mind. Well behind his keyboard, yes. The threat of death has become commonplace, almost natural. The adversary is an enemy, so everything is permitted, including slander.
This disgusting climate disgusts many French people. And a lot of Americans. This explains, in France, the sympathy capital of Michel Barnier, the man who tells Mathilde Panot that he respects her when she is aggressive. No offense to the operetta rebels, today, good education is avant-garde and courtesy is revolutionary.
Find all the videos from our editorialists in our dedicated playlist. Go to Le Grand Matin Sud Radio by Jean-Jacques Bourdin to find the editorial by Elisabeth Lévy.
