How will trumps proposed agenda impact women in the United States and even trickle into Canada
On Nov. 5, Donald Trump, the leader of the Republican Party, was elected as the 47th president of the United States after a race towards the White House against Democratic party candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump claimed victory after receiving 277 electoral votes against the 224 votes for Harris. According to the BBC, the polls had predicted a much tighter race. However, after Trump won in all seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, he had a significant return after losing in 2020 against Biden.
So, what does Trump have planned for the U.S.? As CBS states, Donald Trump’s plan blueprint is “Project 2025,” a policy guide for the next presidential administration and a playbook of actions to be taken within the first 180 days in office. The 900-page conservative agenda discusses a wide range of policies that benefit some and disadvantage others, in this case, women.
Project 2025 includes policies that affect reproductive rights for women, which, according to CBS, could mean overturning Roe v. Wade nationwide. An article by MSA Reproductive Choices released an article that discussed how Project 2025 would impact abortion rights. This included that along with limited access to abortion, the bill allows abortion pills to be banned, equipment from being sent through the U.S. Postal, and increased data collection on abortion, which requires all states to report all abortions. If states choose not to report, they will have federal funds withheld.
The election has affected not only women in the U.S. but also in Canada. Michaela Luzza, a second-year Criminology student in the Sussex program at Laurier, said, “I feel less safe now because the outcome of the election allows a lot of people, particularly young men, to voice their misogyny.” Luzza said she favours Kamala because, “She has more interest in uplifting women.” She also said Trump’s policies reinforce the traditional family values and Christian nationalism back in the U.S.
According to an article released by the Public Policy Forum, Donald Trump’s victory affects Canada’s economy. Trump supports imposing tariffs and taxes on imported goods that make them more expensive, violating NAFTA. Since 78 percent of Canadian exports go to the U.S., a Canadian political scientist and international relations expert, Janice Stein, said, “There is no question. We would be in a recession.”
Following Trump’s win, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel said, “Last night we had the choice between a prosecutor and a criminal, and we chose the criminal.” Kimmel is referencing the four criminal cases that Trump had been charged with over five months in 2023. According to CNN’s article called “Trump found guilty in hush money trial,” on May 30, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
According to the BBC, Trump would have faced up to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and for obstructing an official proceeding. Since he was re-elected, he could pardon himself or order all these charges to be dismissed. CBC said these charges make Trump the first convicted felon president in U.S. history.
This article was originally published in print Volume 24, Issue 4 on Thursday, December 5.
