Hot on the heels of the November 5th U.S. election results, iMEdD hosted a lively panel discussion, on November 8th, exploring the implications of Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. President. Amid a contentious campaign marred by criminal allegations and polarizing rhetoric, Trump’s victory has reignited debates about global politics, voter behavior, and the media’s role in shaping narratives.
Trump’s success defied expectations, particularly in securing support from minority groups such as black voters, Latinos, and Arab Americans—communities that have historically been targeted by his rhetoric. This shift, described as an “unprecedented political comeback,” caught analysts off guard. Yannis Palaiologos, journalist at Kathimerini newspaper, attributed this to deep economic frustrations, stating: “The erosion of the American Dream has left middle- and working-class voters feeling abandoned. Trump’s narrative of economic protectionism resonated deeply with these disillusioned groups.” Petros Ioannidis, Political Analyst and Managing Director of aboutpeople, reinforced this, noting that “50% of Americans believe their financial situation has worsened compared to four years ago, driving many to prioritize economic security over other issues.”
The discussion highlighted the media’s failure to connect with voter concerns, often perpetuating elitist narratives that alienate large swathes of the electorate. As Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou, Co-founder and Managing Director of iMEdD, and Journalist, pointed out, binary storytelling—framing voters as “good or bad”—has deepened polarization. Reflecting on this, Ino Afentouli, Executive Director, Institute of International Relations of Panteion University, argued that Trump capitalized on the frustrations of those who feel abandoned by both political and media elites. She noted how the religious right’s influence, alongside middle-class economic despair, has reshaped U.S. politics.
On the international stage, Trump’s transactional approach to geopolitics sparked concern. Konstantinos Filis, Director of the Institute of International Affairs (IGA), and Professor, American College of Greece, remarked: “Trump’s administration will likely pursue stricter policies on Iran, focusing on dismantling its nuclear ambitions while strengthening ties with Israel through measures like expanding the Abraham Accords.” He added that Trump’s unpredictability could destabilize alliances but also position him as a negotiator whose moves are hard to anticipate.
The panelists agreed that Trump’s return signals a need for journalism to evolve. Narratives disconnected from real-world issues—such as economic insecurity and cultural anxieties—fail to resonate with voters, emphasizing the critical role of storytelling in bridging these gaps.
Moderated by iMEdD journalists Aggelos Petropoulos and Thanasis Troboukis, the discussion featured in-person contributions from Ino Afentouli, Petros Ioannidis, Yannis Palaiologos, and Dr. George N. Tzogopoulos, along with virtual insights from Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou, Konstantinos Filis, and Katerina Sokou.
