The economy is in a dire state for half the country. While it remains strong for those who own assets or have skills aligned with the modern economy, the other half is in a downward spiral. Pointing to positive metrics—such as low unemployment, rising home values, and a strong stock market—only worsens the disconnect when those numbers don’t reflect the lived reality of millions.
On immigration, open-border policies proved to be a critical misstep, leading to a widespread erosion of public support—even among immigrants. A far more strategic approach would have been to clear the decades-long backlog of existing immigration applications rather than allowing uncontrolled entry.
Ultimately, these two issues alone were enough to push the majority toward seeking change. The political sweep was the inevitable consequence of leaders remaining in an echo chamber, only listening to voices that reinforced their views while ignoring mounting frustrations from the broader population.
