SACRAMENTO — How would you summarize or make sense of 2024? It has been a year of upheaval, division, winners and losers. And perhaps most alarmingly, it was a year that exposed the fault lines in American democracy that sometimes seem too wide to cross.
Columnists Anita Chhabria and Mark Z. Balabak continue the tradition of ending December with a bit of perspective and a crystal ball for what’s to come. As we enter 2025, here’s how they’re leaving behind the old and welcoming in the new.
Chabria: As we enter the new year, the word I hear most often is fatigue. Many of us won’t even remember the big events of 2024 other than a presidential election campaign like no other. But we also have experience. In March, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed. Wars in Gaza and Ukraine continue, and Syria’s dictator recently unexpectedly fell. Taylor Swift finally canceled her tour and Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested on sex trafficking charges. Approximately 300 years ago, the Summer Olympics were held in Paris.
But all of that was overshadowed by the presidential election, which left half America rejoicing and the other half reeling. In the end, the popular vote was split almost evenly, with neither candidate reaching 50%. So much for the mission.
If the word to end 2024 is exhaustion, then I nominate “commitment” as the word for 2025. How committed are Republicans to fulfilling President Trump’s campaign promise to fundamentally reshape America by removing immigrants and implementing conservative social policies such as further restrictions on abortion? access? And how much dedication and ability do Democrats have to rally and oppose those plans?
What do you think? How are you spending your time as the end of the year approaches?
Balabak: I may seem grumpy and lack energy, but that’s because I don’t get depressed by events that are out of my control, like earthquakes, asteroids, or disappointing election results. But this is not a self-help column or a prescription for a better (or less affected) life. So I stick to the brief of taking stock of the past year and looking ahead.
If I had to choose a word for 2025, I think it would be “curious.” Just like you want to know what 2025 will bring about a president bent on chaos (war with Panama, anyone?) while carrying out the most tenuous or non-existent mandate, as you suggest.
The way I see it, Mr. Trump was elected primarily to control inflation, lowering the much-discussed price of eggs and bacon, and securing the southern border with Mexico. If you search from top to bottom, you’ll probably find zero Americans who voted for Trump because they wanted the US to control Greenland.
There is no denying that there is a deep-seated dissatisfaction with government and politicians, a widespread feeling that the status quo is not working, and a desire to see Washington, and by extension Sacramento, shaken up. But randomized constant chaos? Let’s see how that goes. If you thought the 2024 campaign was wild, there was a switch in Democratic candidates, two attempts on Trump’s life, and too many weird campaign moments to mention here (Hannibal Lecter! Arnold! Palmer’s penis! Too many – yes, fasten your seatbelts.
Chabria: True words, Mark. Now, let’s leave. As you and I have said in the past, what’s best for America and our democracy is to give our next president respect and a chance. But it’s also important to remember that Trump has a history of lying and breaking the law, as evidenced by both his criminal convictions and his loss in the civil sexual abuse lawsuit against E. Jean Carroll. think.
His actions show that he is not a trustworthy person. But we are in strange days where we are rewriting recent history to make it less unpleasant, while at the same time setting ourselves up to repeat it.
For example, Thomas Homan, the once and future President Trump’s “border czar,” not only reinstated the family separation policy, but also the painful separation of American-born children (and therefore citizens) of illegal immigrants. He said he would give them a choice. Will they be expelled from their parents or deported with their parents?
Some Trump supporters say they like his brash remarks but believe they are just posturing. Next year will be clear in that regard. Whether you trust Trump now or not, we’re going to find out if he’s telling everything.
But it’s not just Trump. We have seen those around him, especially Elon Musk, move quickly to seize power and cram their selfish agendas down our throats.
Balabak: The candidate elected to be a populist tribune for the beleaguered working class surrounds his team of billionaires, appoints foxes to guard the government chicken coop, and appeals to many of the same beleaguered voters. The program that provided the service was dismantled.
Only in America!
But I don’t want to be too choleric.
For years, the Washington Post’s legendary political cartoonist Herbert Block, aka Herblock, has portrayed Richard Nixon with a terrifying five o’clock shadow. After Nixon was elected president in 1968, Herlock painted a freshly shaven Nixon based on the theory that every new president deserves to be “clean-shaven.” (Guys, I’m not that old. I’ve just read a lot of history. And various political trivia.)
So, as you suggest, there is something sporty and noble about leaving behind the past and starting anew.
That being said, we agree that there is a danger in retaining too much memory. Especially when you’re expecting the brave 78-year-old Leopard, twice impeached and convicted of felonies, to suddenly change sides. Let’s hope for the best. But don’t be delusional or rush to cheat. We saw how Nixon’s presidency turned out.
On a more positive note, I was fascinated by Beyoncé’s NFL halftime performance during the Ravens vs. Texans Christmas showdown.
Kabria: So were we! Beyoncé is the queen of her craft, reminding us that it should look and sound fun. We could all use that amount right now.
But Beyoncé also reminds us about the importance of knowing yourself and standing your ground. Many history lessons have been forgotten in recent years, but hers is one of the few with a happy ending. After appearing at the Country Music Association in 2016, despite winning an award, it’s hard to see why she’s transcending genre boundaries and stepping foot into the very white country world, boot-stomping and flag-waving. There was a backlash against what seemed to be an intrusion.
That’s clear, she continued, when you think back to her recent NFL appearances and the release of her country album Act II: Cowboy Carter.
Sometimes resisting just means taking it one day at a time.
With that in mind, and at a time when journalism is under attack, I would like to end this year on a note of gratitude. Thank you to all the readers who have stuck with Mark and I through this election and for being willing to hear our perspectives. I don’t want to speak for Mark, but for me personally, I generally don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat, but I do care about writing with compassion and truth.
So, no matter what happens next, my New Year’s resolution is to stay true to these core principles. Any final thoughts, Mark?
Barabak: Just a question: Would you think less of me as a colleague and as a person if I confessed that I had no idea about Beyoncé’s halftime performance until you told me? I think I got too deep into the history books and absorbed too much political trivia.
But like you, I want to thank you, my readers, for sticking with me and share your sentiments about compassion and truth. I also hope to keep you informed and occasionally entertained along the way. And a special thank you to all of our paying subscribers who help keep the lights on.
We wish each and every Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, and Vegetarian a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
See you in 2025.
