THE unprecedented comeback of Donald Trump to the US presidency has fascinated the world. Billions of watchers anticipated a tight contest with US Vice President Kamala Harris, but all seven swing states flipped their votes to the Republican party. Despite sexual assault charges, being a convicted felon, and two assassination attempts, Trump defied the odds and swept into victory through the strong support of white, non-college working-class voters, even Black and Latino voters, and among the electorate in the suburbs and cities, which often voted Democrats. At the end of the voting, Americans favored economy over democracy, hypermasculinity over women empowerment, and strong man rather than social inclusivity. Trump won both the electoral college and popular vote, cutting across demographics and socioeconomic classes that chose to pivot America's direction to the far right.

What's dawning on us is that Trump's victory has a deeper impact on Philippine national security.