What Trump's second presidential term could mean for the world

Donald Trump's latest term as US President is set to transform American politics, according to Dr Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the International School for Government.

He said Trump's influential circle, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, and the drive to safeguard free speech has placed Facebook, Instagram, and X in near-complete control of cultural narratives. He said some of these involve "hateful rhetoric, authoritarian themes and misinformation which is increasingly going unchecked."

Trump's second presidency reflects a new form of American oligarchy. Billionaires have long enjoyed access to democratic administrations, but there is now a sense of more dubious motives creeping in.

Dr Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor of Public Policy.

Elon Musk's recent activities show he has no qualms about transferring this brand of politics to Europe with his influence already seen in Italy, Germany and France. In the UK, the recent announcement by Yvette Cooper on the review of grooming gangs also suggests the UK government might struggle to resist his influence, which as it expands, could lead to him being seen as a far-right standard-bearer.

Dr Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor of Public Policy.

Speaking to CBS News, he said European leaders would need to decide how to position themselves in regard to Trump and his policies. He suggested those who do not "bend the knee" will face the consequences of Trump's agenda.

Professor Andrew Blick appeared on LBC with Andrew Marr, who suggested Trump is behaving like "an old-fashioned European monarch".

In response, Professor Blick said the US constitution was designed with in-built checks and balances, such as a separate election of the President to Congress, two chambers in the Congress and the Supreme Court. However he said the problem with this was that Trump, or those close to him, seemed to have a hold of all these things.

Comparing the US to the UK, he said there are weaker protections within Britain's constitutional system which means if someone has strong majority in the House of Commons there are less limitations on what they can do.

He added that the UK has already "seen the Musk effect before the Trump presidency even started" with the owner of X shaping the agenda of British politics, such as the government announcing reviews following a series of posts by Musk. "Without his intervention would that have happened?" he asked.

Professor Blick suggested Keir Starmer and his team will be worried about upsetting Trump and what the consequences might be, although he said the obvious differences between the two political leaders could prove to be Starmer's "superpower".

There is not much evidence that Musk or Trump or those people are particularly popular in the UK… this could actually play to Starmer's advantage in some way if the other political parties be it the Conservatives or Reform UK are seen as being too aligned with Trump, maybe that will help Starmer electorally in the longer term.

Professor Andrew Blick, Professor of Politics and Contemporary History.

More than any other major American political figure since the inception of the Great Debate, Trump has consistently, vehemently and publicly questioned the relevance of NATO and America's continued commitment to it.

Dr Charlie Laderman, Senior Lecturer in International History.

What is clear is that Trump believes that the 'prime obligation' for the defence of Europe rests on Europe itself and is likely to predicate continued American protection on Europe's doing more for its own defence.

Dr Charlie Laderman, Senior Lecturer in International History.