Trump’s Return: A Global Warning from the Philippines

As US President Donald Trump stood on the Blue Room Balcony of the White House during the annual Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2025, flanked by an Easter Bunny, the image seemed almost whimsical. Yet, barely a hundred days into his return to power, the scene belies a darker reality. From the perspective of the Philippines—a nation with deep historical and political ties to the United States—the re-emergence of Trump signals not just an American crisis, but a global one. His presidency, already showing signs of authoritarian tendencies, threatens to unravel the international order that has shaped the post-World War II era, leaving smaller nations like ours to grapple with the fallout.

The American Mirror: A Familiar Descent

For Filipinos, the current trajectory of the United States under Trump feels eerily familiar. Our own history serves as a cautionary tale. The Philippines, whose constitutional framework was heavily inspired by the American model, has experienced the perils of unchecked executive power. In the 1970s, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. exploited the presidency’s vast authority to declare martial law, dismantle democratic institutions, and rule as a dictator under the guise of national salvation. This was not a mere aberration but a systemic failure—a stark reminder of how presidential systems, when wielded by strongmen, can erode the very freedoms they are meant to protect.

Trump’s second term, though still in its infancy, is raising similar alarms. While he has publicly distanced himself from initiatives like Project 2025—a controversial blueprint for consolidating executive power—his actions and rhetoric often align with its objectives. His campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” resonates with a base disillusioned by economic disparity and cultural shifts, much like Marcos once rallied Filipinos with promises of order and progress. Yet, as history shows, such populist fervor can mask a deeper intent to rewrite democratic norms. If unchecked, this could mark not just a fleeting chapter but the start of a prolonged descent for American democracy.

A Global Order at Stake

The implications of Trump’s return extend far beyond US borders. Since the end of World War II, American leadership—through initiatives like the Marshall Plan and strategic alliances—has underpinned a global order of relative stability, despite its imperfections. From the reconstruction of Europe and Japan to the defense of democratic ideals during the Cold War, the US has been a linchpin for nations large and small. For countries like the Philippines, American influence has been both a shield and a burden, shaping our political systems, security policies, and economic ties.

Today, however, that influence feels increasingly hostile. Trump’s foreign policy, marked by withdrawal from international commitments and a transactional approach to alliances, has left allies in Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia uncertain of Washington’s reliability. In conflict zones like Gaza and Ukraine, the administration’s stance has deepened despair, prioritizing domestic political gains over global humanitarian needs. For smaller nations dependent on US support—whether through trade, military aid, or diplomatic backing—the message is clear: we are on our own. This shift is not a temporary disruption but a systemic unraveling, one that threatens to destabilize the delicate balance of international relations.

The Philippines’ Own Reckoning

Here in the Philippines, Trump’s presidency forces us to confront our own vulnerabilities. Our political landscape, once buoyed by an emerging middle class and a commitment to democratic principles, is fraying under the weight of partisanship and digital disinformation. As the 2028 elections approach, the specter of authoritarian backslide looms large. The echoes of Marcos’ era are unmistakable: a powerful executive, weak institutional checks, and a polarized populace susceptible to populist strongmen. If history is any guide, our current trajectory suggests that a true democratic revival—akin to the People Power Revolution of 1986—may be decades away, perhaps not until the mid-21st century.

Our connection to the US exacerbates this risk. As a former colony and long-time ally, the Philippines has often mirrored American political trends, for better or worse. The allure of a strongman leader, as embodied by Trump, could inspire similar figures here, exploiting public discontent to justify overreach. Already, factions within our society—divided between supporters of past administrations, dynastic politics, and digital propagandists—fuel a cacophony of rage that drowns out reasoned debate. Without a unified political center, the temptation to embrace authoritarian solutions grows stronger.

The Psychology of Power

There is a psychological dimension to the rise of leaders like Trump and Marcos, particularly in presidential systems where the office itself amplifies personal ambition. A second term often emboldens such figures, as the constraints of re-election fade and the machinery of state becomes a tool for self-preservation. Marcos, after two terms, staged a constitutional coup to extend his rule. Trump, while operating within a more robust system of checks and balances, faces fewer barriers than ever before. The US today is marked by a deeply divided media landscape, a polarized Congress, and a judiciary whose independence is increasingly questioned. These conditions create fertile ground for executive overreach, a danger that Filipinos understand all too well.

Moreover, Trump’s ascent reflects a broader societal shift. Many Americans, disillusioned by decades of economic inequality and political gridlock, see in him a champion of their grievances. This mirrors the sentiment that propelled Marcos to power—an electorate desperate for change, willing to overlook the erosion of democratic norms in exchange for promises of stability. Yet, as both histories warn, empowering such leaders often backfires, entrenching the very systems of exclusion and inequity they claim to oppose.

A Call for Vigilance

The parallels between the US and the Philippines underscore a universal truth: democracy is fragile, even in systems designed to safeguard it. Trump’s return to power serves as a warning not just to Americans, but to all nations tethered to the global order America once championed. For the Philippines, it is a reminder to fortify our own democratic guardrails—to strengthen institutions, foster civic education, and resist the siren call of authoritarianism. Our past offers lessons the world cannot afford to ignore.

As Trump’s presidency unfolds, the question remains: can the US—and by extension, the world—weather this storm? Or are we witnessing the beginning of a long decline, one that smaller nations like ours will bear the brunt of? Only time will tell, but the stakes have never been higher.