Why Trump is a Symptom, Not the Root, of America’s Systemic Decay

The column introduces a series called “Realist’s Guide to the American System,” asserting that the nation’s decline stems from systemic issues, not solely from Donald Trump’s actions. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase and former Business Roundtable leader, is presented as a representative figure whose public patriotism and charitable claims conceal a role in perpetuating elite dominance. The author argues that the concentration of wealth has allowed a small minority to buy influence over Congress, the presidency, education, health care and the courts, while ordinary Americans face growing insecurity.

References to “ensh---ification” illustrate how monopolistic practices erode product quality and public services. The piece warns that even a virtuous successor to Trump would not fix the underlying power imbalance, urging readers to focus on who holds power and how it is exercised across banks, corporations, government and media.