The ideological gap between Republicans and Democrats has widened into something closer to mutual distrust than disagreement. Elections are no longer merely contests of policy but existential battles for the soul of the nation, eroding public faith in democratic outcomes themselves. When a significant portion of the electorate questions the legitimacy of electoral processes, democratic stability is inevitably weakened. Social media platforms, partisan news outlets and algorithm-driven content have created parallel realities in which facts are contested and narratives are weaponized. The critical question is whether today’s storm will lead to renewal or rupture.
