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With Trump's Return, the Return of Politics Through Social Media

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Photo: Allison Robbert Agence France-Presse Throughout his new campaign for the White House and during each twist of his judicial journey, Donald Trump poured out his heart to Truth Social.

Camille Camdessus – Agence France-Presse in Washington

Posted yesterday at 1:28 PM

United States

With two simple posts on social networks, announcing new shattering customs duties, Donald Trump has caused the shares of car manufacturers to plummet, allies to roar and chancelleries to tremble around the world.

This signature mode of communication from the Republican billionaire foreshadows a new mandate punctuated by shock announcements on social networks, at all hours of the day, and on all types of subjects.

6:45 p.m., Monday, first post on Truth Social, Donald Trump's network.

The President-elect announces that he will impose a 25% tariff on “ALL products” from Canada and Mexico on his first day in office.

Never mind that these two countries have a free trade agreement with the United States.

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The tax “will remain in place until drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal immigrants stop invading our country!” “, warned the Republican, sowing panic from Ottawa to Mexico.

Panic

A few seconds later, a new message from the president-elect.

This time it concerns China, which will be hit by a 10% increase in customs duties, decrees Donald Trump.

The consequences of these publications are immediate: the stock of the car manufacturer Stellantis plummets on the stock market, Canada, China and Mexico protest. Berlin calls on Europe to “prepare” to be targeted in turn, and holds its breath.

This agitation is obviously reminiscent of that of Donald Trump's first term, when journalists, entrepreneurs, politicians and diplomats frantically watched for the billionaire's tweets, often very early in the morning, often very late. And about just about everything.

“Guiding the debate”

His positive COVID-19 diagnosis, in October 2020 ? The septuagenarian announced it by tweet, around 1 a.m.

Just like the assassination of an Iranian general, during which he tweeted a simple United States flag as confirmation.

The implementation of a host of customs taxes or the dismissal of certain members of his cabinet… Again, all announced on social networks. A practice contrary to the practices of all other American governments or most governments around the world.

“He sees social media as a tool to shape and direct public debate,” political scientist Julian Zelizer told AFP. “And he will continue to use it that way,” predicts the Princeton University professor.

Throughout his new campaign for the White House and during each twist in his judicial journey, Donald Trump has been pouring out his heart on Truth Social, his new platform of choice.

In recent days, the tempestuous Republican has even designated his future Ministers of Justice and Health via two publications on the network.

Teilor Stone

Teilor Stone has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining Thesaxon , Teilor Stone worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my teilor@nizhtimes.com 1-800-268-7116