GOP Platform: Hope, or more Trumpism? by William Baker

In the days prior to the Republican National Convention in July, the GOP launched their 2024 Platform- their first new manifesto since the 2016 election. Adopting Trump’s infamous “Make America Great Again!” catchphrase on its cover, the document lays out the Republicans’ plan for government, should Trump win in November. Far shorter than the Democrat’s platform, the Republicans have used a classically strong and bold rhetoric to tempt its 2016 base back to the party. It champions heavy protectionism, strengthening of the military and care for its veterans, an anti-woke agenda, featuring a prominent pro-Christian sentiment. In this sense, this platform shows that the GOP will not waver in its message, in an attempt to re-enter the White House (hardly surprising, considering the clear Trump influence in its wording, which makes use of lengthy, all-caps statements only seen before through his Twitter rants).

But what of its specific policies? Polls show that the main issue for the 2024 voters is a lack of knowledge on either side’s genuine plans for government, behind their public personas and party messaging. Is this platform a mere representation of everything the Trump GOP has become? Or is there hope that the Republican Party is still intact and capable of representing the American people?

In aid of the former, the dedication for the document is written to the “Forgotten Men and Women of America.” This is Classic Trump. Since his descension from his golden escalator into politics in 2016, Trump has proclaimed himself a true representation of patriotic citizens, or as an “unapologetic Champion of the American people”. This narrative is essential to his political style- an excuse to cater for his loud and bizarre approach to public speaking under the guise of exposing an arrogant political class, claiming that nobody before him has put themselves on the line for Americans in the same way he does. Trump relies on voters feeling left behind in order to champion himself as the saviour of liberty and American spirit. This makes his rise through the party all the more incredible; people believe that the billionaire, made rich by the success of others, truly understands the plight of the average worker? This is the same Donald Trump whose lasting achievement in the White House was implementing tax breaks for big business and billionaires, yet his line that he is the living representation of a government “by, and for the people” still seems to stick.

Delving into policy, the GOP underpin their radical programme of change by describing the “Raging Inflation, Open Borders, Attacks on our Children, and Global Conflict, Chaos and Instability” threatening the US. This is the same narrative used by Trump during his debate with Harris, attempting to speak truth into existence within the mind of the electorate. The US has experienced strong economic recovery under Biden, despite Trump’s rhetoric that the “country is going to Hell.” However, Republicans feel the need for strong and swift action, and are proposing a momentous switch back to the protectionist politics of historical Republicanism. They write of the need to “Stop outsourcing”, and instead “DRILL, BABY, DRILL,” (yes, that’s the phrase they’ve chosen), to transform the United States into the world’s premier manufacturing power, and reduce its dependence on any other nation. This sentiment is unsurprising, as the idea of further world isolation undoubtedly appeals to Trump’s target base in the South, among his most ruggedly individualistic supporters. However, in approach to foreign policy, the GOP is far more open to world intervention, proclaiming that President Trump would “Prevent World War Three” (though his precise plans are still unclear, of course). Perhaps, as with many other areas, he merely has “concepts of a plan”…

Secondly, the Republicans take a hard line with security, particularly surrounding the issue of illegal immigration. They have pledged to complete the border wall with Mexico, and commence the “largest deportation program in American History.” JD Vance has since outlined that they should “start with one million” illegal immigrants. Beyond the obvious logistical and legal concerns of such action, this policy is seen by some to be underpinned by the populist, far-right conspiracy theory of the Great Replacement- the notion that an unknown political elite is seeking to undermine white Americans through controlled mass migration. However, others merely see this policy as the product of the scapegoating placed upon immigrants in America- highlighted by Trump’s outlandish debate claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets. The GOP also promises to deploy the U.S. Navy to impose a fentanyl blockade on its waters by boarding and inspecting ships. This policy offers hope for hundreds of thousands of Americans. Since 2018, over a quarter of a million have died from fentanyl overdose, with almost 75,000 deaths in 2022 alone. This push for expanded healthcare is furthered by their repeated idea for the state to “support active and health living”- using its influence to prevent citizens from engaging in unhealthy habits such as drug or alcohol abuse.

The chapter which provides the most controversy focuses on the Republican Party’s attitude towards education and the teaching of progressive ideology. They promise to “Cut federal funding for any school pushing Critical Race Theory (the notion that Western society harbours institutional racism, due to being designed by white people), radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.” Undoubtedly, this is underpinned by the heavy stress on Christian values within the Republican Party, and does accurately reflect the beliefs held by their core base in the South. The notion that children are taught inappropriate political content perfectly incapsulates the paranoia within the Trump Republican Party. The platform also tackles the divisive issue over the promotion of transgenderism, which the Republicans label “gender indoctrination”, pointing to the after-effects of gender-affirming care. This line has been disseminated by Elon Musk, using his new-found publicity as a Republican activist to spread conservative propaganda online. Finally, the platform strongly defends the teaching of Christianity to the nation’s children, proposing a “new Federal Task Force on Fighting Anti-Christian Bias”, later suggesting that there is a “persecution against Christians in America.” This is a notion from the evangelical wing of the party, as classic Trumpism pays little tribute to the teachings of the Bible. However, with 63% of Americans identifying as Christian, pushing the notion that Christians are under threat serves as an effective line to gain support, despite its general inaccuracy.

Overall, the 2024 GOP Platform offers more hope for America than appears on the surface (of Trump’s repeated use of insults and conspiracy theories) and shows that the party still maintains an emphasis on the principles of law and order, financial responsibility and social conservatism. However, its repeated use of Trumpesque messaging is a fateful sign that its leader’s influence is seeping into the very core of the party’s messaging. The days of McCain or Romney are long gone, the last two true leaders of an almost unrecognisable party today. There is also one notable omission: an in-depth explanation of the party’s stance on abortion, which has become a key issue among voters who regard the safety and reproductive freedom of women to be a high priority come election day. Until the GOP makes their attitude clear, millions of Americans will debate whether the Republicans really are the party of family and freedom. Cracks have appeared in the party’s reproductive stance since September 17, when a Senate bill aiming to legalise IVF treatments nationwide was blocked by GOP senators, despite gaining the surprise support of Donald Trump.

Finally, regardless of political belief, the party must not become engulfed by Trumpism. Perhaps a Harris victory will be the wake-up call needed to ensure that the Trump era of the GOP comes to an end, allowing for the full return to governance for its people. It is important for all America that the Republican Party maintains its character and desire to work for its people, not for its president.