Think the Economy’s Bad? Wait for Trump’s Election Results’ Tantrum

ACCORDING TO LIZ - The economy has been the voters’ top issue in four of the past six midterm elections. More than the immediacy of cost of living, more than the war in Iran and tariffs, the United States is facing a daunting series of longer-term economic challenges, from mounting federal debt to the cancerous consequences of artificial intelligence.

Trump’s grifts and tax gifts to the wealthy flushed ordinary Americans’ economic stability down the toilet. Now, according to a recent Harris poll, nearly 61% think the country is in recession; 65% believe the economy is deteriorating.

While in a New York Times/Siena poll, a mere 36% of likely voters say they approve of the president’s performance, with 59% disapproving.

There is a chance, hopefully a likelihood, the midterms will proceed smoothly and honestly, with the winners seated in a straightforward manner. 

However, many Americans underestimate one singular threat to our economic future: Trump’s clearly expressed desire to interfere with and even usurp the midterm elections, manifested most recently by his siccing his personal (in)Justice Department on the presumptive Republican Alaskan Senatorial loss, and egregiously threatening election officials across California that, if they follow the law instead of his petulant demands, they “will all go to jail for a long period of time.”

Attorney General Todd Blanche has affirmed that his DOJ’s loyalty is to Trump alone and not to the people. Under his aegis, expect the election to be chaotic at best, lawless at worst.

From amplifying false claims of fraud and slashing defenses against foreign meddling in our elections to attempting to bully states into using error-filled databases to purge voter registrations, the Trump administration has already thrown up multiple obstacles to fair and free midterm elections. 

There are legitimate concerns that Trump and his henchmen could illegally send armed federal agents to polls and/or seize ballot boxes and/or refuse to seat duly elected Democrats when the new Congress convenes.

If Trump and his minions overtly override the outcome of the election, the economic ramifications would be immediate and long-lasting.

November 3, 2026, could mark the end of the rule of law in United States which would push its economy over a cliff. 

Such a failure of faith in the government would set all its business dealings adrift, domestically and internationally. Individuals and corporations would claw back investments; developers would flail and flounder.

Local industry would collapse, unemployment spirals out of control, distribution chains disintegrate, people would starve and freeze, and the country descend into post-apocalyptic anarchy making Sudan and Yemen and Syria under Assad look positively idyllic in comparison.

Think this is a joke? 

Other than the A.I. sector, which is now teetering as people realize both the inaccuracies of improperly tested and unregulated products and its more existential dangers, investment uncertainty is rising exponentially, already 32% over historical averages for small businesses. 

Even with the example of Minneapolis fresh in everyone’s mind where the ICE-perpetrated insurgency cost the city, its businesses and residents an estimated $700 million, Trump has resolutely refused to rule out invocation of the Insurrection Act which could create similar disruptions nationwide. 

The rule of law, reinforced by the time-honored tradition of free elections and peaceful transfer of power, has for decades supported long term American business decisions and attracted foreign companies to invest in the United States. It solidifies the dollar as the world’s key currency. It bolsters investors’ confidence in the country’s creditworthiness and keeps the interest rate on our bloated national debt sustainable. 

Election integrity, domestic stability and justice underlie American prosperity. What happens when all three legs of that stool are kicked away? 

The loss of rule-of-law in countries other than the United States – the gutting of legal processes, disrespect of rights, repression of criticism, partisan investigations and arrests – has had a staggering impact on investment places like Turkey and, yes Iran.

With Wall Street overperforming during the first twenty months of Trump’s reign, too many have been blinded to recent bobbles potentially presaging a tumble as inflation and the national debt continue to soar – driven by the president’s profligacy on unwarranted foreign wars, deregulation, self-promotion, and tax cuts for his billionaire buddies.

Election chaos would accelerate recent increases in Treasury bond yields resulting in more and more of our tax dollars paying for out-of-control national debt and causing chilling trickle-down impacts on consumer mortgages and credit.

Making the economic turmoil of the 2008 meltdown appear wimpy.

Inviting that apocalyptic descent into dystopia.

Businesses, state and local elected officials, the courts, and other trusted institutions must continue to act together to aggressively support election integrity, pushed by surging numbers of concerned citizens, to forestall any and all attempts to disrupt or overturn the midterms.

(Liz Amsden is a former Angeleno now living in Vermont and a regular CityWatch contributor. She writes on issues she’s passionate about, including social justice, government accountability, and community empowerment. Liz brings a sharp, activist voice to her commentary and continues to engage with Los Angeles civic affairs from afar. She can be reached at [email protected].)