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Trump’s Narrow Popular Vote Victory Fuels Questions of Mandate, Rising Emigration Interest

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By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has ignited debates about his legitimacy and a surge of interest in emigration. While Trump won all seven swing states and secured the presidency, his share of the popular vote—49.83%—places him among the least popular modern American presidents. His 1.55% margin over Vice President Kamala Harris falls far short of historical landslides like Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 triumph, where Johnson won 61.1% of the popular vote.

And with a growing number of Trump voters expressing buyer’s remorse, many political analysts have questioned whether the election victory reflects broad public support for his policies. “If there ever was a mandate, this isn’t it,” Georgetown University political scientist Hans Noel told MSN News. Earlier projections showing Trump winning as much as 53% of the popular vote have proven inaccurate and have added further scrutiny to claims of a sweeping mandate.

Cornell University professor Peter Enns, whose model accurately predicted Trump’s swing state victories, said economic dissatisfaction during Joe Biden’s presidency played a key role in voter decisions. “If this election can be explained by what voters thought of Biden and Harris and economic conditions, it really goes against the notion of a mandate for major change from Trump,” Enns told the Guardian newspaper.

Americans Explore Emigration in Droves

In the wake of Trump’s win, many Americans have begun looking for opportunities abroad. Google reported a 1,270% spike in searches for “move to Canada” as polls closed on the East Coast. Queries about moving to New Zealand climbed nearly 2,000%, while those for Australia rose 820%. According to Google data, searches for emigration had reached historic levels.

Immigration lawyers across North America have been inundated with inquiries. “Every half hour, there’s a new email enquiry,” said Evan Green, managing partner at Green and Spiegel, Canada’s oldest immigration law firm. Green noted that clients’ concerns extend beyond Trump himself to broader societal divisions. “The majority of Americans voted for him, and some people don’t feel comfortable living in that kind of society anymore. People are afraid they are going to lose freedoms.”

High-Profile Figures Join the Exodus

Several celebrities have also signaled plans to leave the United States. Sharon Stone intends to move her family to Canada, while America Ferrera is reportedly eyeing the U.K. as a new home base. Minnie Driver has announced plans to leave Los Angeles for the U.K., citing discomfort with the country’s political direction. Whoopi Goldberg, Cardi B, and Elon Musk’s daughter Vivian Wilson are among others expressing interest in relocating.

For those seeking guidance, destinations such as Panama City, Budapest, Belize, and Phuket, Thailand, are being recommended for American expats. The locations reportedly offer affordable living and pathways to residency.

Diaspora Citizenship in Ghana

In Ghana, the African diaspora is reconnecting with its roots. On November 19, 524 diaspora members received Ghanaian citizenship during a landmark Accra International Conference Centre ceremony. The event, part of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the diaspora, builds on the success of the 2019 “Year of Return” campaign.

“Your ancestors left these shores under tragic and inhumane circumstances,” Akufo-Addo exclaimed. “Today, we reclaim that connection by welcoming you as part of our Ghanaian family.” He reminded attendees that the initiative goes beyond symbolism, providing tangible opportunities for the diaspora to shape Africa’s future.

“Being Ghanaian is about embracing values such as respect, equity, and peace,” Akufo-Addo said. “These principles are at the heart of our identity, and we invite you to embody them as you integrate into our society.”

Martin Luther King III Embraces Interfaith Effort to Rebuild Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church

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The panel discussed “Interfaith Collaboration, Then & Now.” (Left to right): Amy Spitalnick, CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Dr. Erika Gault, Director of the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life, National Museum of African American History and Culture; Rabbi David Saperstein, Ambassador, International Religious Freedom; Martin Luther King III, Chairman, Drum Major Institute; and Lesli Foster, Moderator, WUSA9 Anchor

By Adam Shapiro, CEO/President ASPR

Martin Luther King III, the son of revered civil rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, directly tied his parents’ dreams for America to the multi-faith initiative to rescue the historic Scotland African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church. King passionately spoke about the Potomac, Maryland church that formerly enslaved congregants built by hand. Yet it’s a modern challenge that caught his attention; flash flood waters in 2019 and additional weather damage, exasperated by the rerouting of a nearby road, threaten Scotland.

King said, “How does it align with ‘I Have a Dream?’ Talk about salvaging and rebuilding…this symbol, this religious institution that provides an opportunity for spiritual learning, is similar to what my dad and mom were doing when they were building the beloved community and Scotland is about building the community.” King made his remarks at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), which is only about a mile from the Lincoln Memorial where his father delivered his inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech over 61 years ago.

The event at the Smithsonian Museum celebrated the 100th anniversary of Scotland’s founding and its “2nd Century Project,” which is a rescue and rejuvenation initiative under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Evalina Huggins. Bishop Brian R. Thompson Sr. said, “It’s a wonder of Montgomery Country because they wonder how we’re still here! It’s an oasis where people will be able to see a symbol of freedom…even though water tried to wipe it away, God is lifting it up higher and higher.”

The plans call for rebuilding the historic original structure; re-grading the surrounding landscape to mitigate more flooding; and constructing a new state-of-the-art house of worship to meet future needs. Supporters, including Glenstone museum founder Mitch Rales, announced they’d raised nearly $9 million toward the $11 million goal. The NMAAHC event, moderated by WUSA9 news anchor Lesli Foster, served as a powerful reminder of Scotland’s importance, even for those who don’t worship there. Longtime Bethesda resident Joyce Siegel was recognized for her work to revitalize the Scotland community, including the church, in the 1960s.

Frank Islam, a philanthropist and Muslim, said that he and his wife Debbie Driesman quickly embraced the effort. “The 2nd Century Project has brought together the broader community in a common cause. It’s a remarkable effort, especially at a time when we need more opportunities to work together as Americans.” Rabbi David Saperstein, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, reflected that the wide-ranging support illustrated the Bible’s lesson to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In fact, Rabbi Evan Krame and members of his nearby Jewish congregation made the first donation.

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and others reflected on the longstanding ties between Jewish and Black communities to push back against antisemitic and anti-Black actions, from Selma, Alabama, in the 1960s to the more recent violent marches in Charlottesville, Virginia, and other locations. High school student Alice Carrie Marriott highlighted the importance of young people creating ties as she spoke about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and her commitment to Dr. King’s dream in the 21st century.

Dr. Erika Gault, Director of the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life at NMAAHC, spoke about the diversity of religions in Black culture, including Blacks who are practicing Jews and Buddhists. She also explained the evolving definitions of religious involvement in today’s culture. In addition, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th District) presented the church with a congressional proclamation for its efforts to preserve and build on its important legacy. As the church’s choir sang “I Want to Know What Love Is,” attendees fully realized they were in the presence of true love during the very moving evening.

Portuguese Rejects President’s Call for Reparations Despite Acknowledging Colonial Crimes

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By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

In the wake of Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s acknowledgment of his country’s role in committing crimes during the transatlantic slave trade and colonial era, the Portuguese government has dismissed calls for reparations. The president’s assertion during an event for foreign correspondents that Portugal should “pay the costs” for slavery and other colonial-era atrocities was met with governmental opposition.

Portugal, a nation with the most prolonged historical involvement in the slave trade among European countries, has faced longstanding appeals from campaigners to address its legacy. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, nearly 6 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic on Portuguese vessels, enduring unimaginable suffering as they were enslaved and exploited on plantations, primarily in Brazil.

However, the new center-right coalition government has stated that it has no plans for reparations. Instead, it claims to focus on deepening international cooperation and fostering reconciliation among peoples. The government emphasized a commitment to existing relations with former colonies, highlighting collaboration in various sectors such as education, culture, and health.

Rebelo de Sousa’s call for reparations included suggestions such as canceling the debts of former colonies or introducing financial assistance programs. He stressed the importance of acknowledging Portugal’s responsibility for its imperial history’s negative and positive aspects.

The president’s stance faced immediate criticism, particularly from the far-right Chega party leader, André Ventura, who labeled it “a betrayal of the country.” However, support for addressing historical injustices has been growing, with the United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, echoing calls for action during a recent forum.

Portugal’s colonial era, which lasted over five centuries, impacted numerous territories, including Angola, Mozambique, and Brazil. The decolonization process followed the “Carnation Revolution” in 1974, which ended the nation’s longest fascist dictatorship and ushered in democracy.

The issue of reparations for slavery has gained traction globally, with various initiatives aimed at acknowledging and addressing historical injustices. While some countries and institutions have issued apologies and established funds for initiatives such as education and community development, comprehensive reparations programs remain controversial.

In the United States, discussions on reparations have intensified in recent years, with calls for acknowledgment of past wrongs and tangible measures to address systemic inequalities. While some progress has been made at the state and institutional levels, comprehensive national action has yet to materialize.

In a 2015 speech, then-President Barack Obama commemorated the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which banned the practice more than 150 years ago. “The question of slavery was never simply about civil rights. It was about the meaning of America, the kind of country we wanted to be,” Obama said.

In 2008, America appeared to had taken an important step in atoning for its past and most flagrant transgressions that included slavery and Jim Crow. Led by then-Tennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, the U.S. House of Representatives issued a symbolic apology. That came decades after lawmakers, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, tried to push the government to apologize.

“The institution of slavery was constitutionally and statutorily sanctioned by the government of the United States from 1789 through 1865,” former Texas Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee said in 2019 while pushing H.R. 40, a bill to study reparations. “The framework for our country and the document to which we all take an oath describes African Americans as three-fifths a person. The infamous Dred Scott decision of the United States Supreme Court, issued just a few decades later, described slaves as private property, unworthy of citizenship,” Jackson-Lee asserted.

“And a civil war that produced the largest death toll of American fighters in any conflict in our history could not prevent the indignities of Jim Crow, the fire hose at lunch counters and the systemic and institutional discrimination that would follow for a century after the end of the Civil War.

“The mythology built around the Civil War—that victory by the North eradicated slavery and all its vestiges throughout our nation—has obscured our discussions of the impact of chattel slavery and made it difficult to have a national dialogue on how to fully account for its place in American history and public policy. We know that in almost every segment of society – education, healthcare, jobs, and wealth – the inequities that persist in America are more acutely and disproportionately felt in Black America.”

PRESS ROOM: Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and Diageo North America Kick Off Partnership to Tackle Impaired Driving in the U.S.

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Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA

The MADD-Diageo relationship will focus on education, awareness, and prevention campaigns to help endimpaired driving.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and Diageo North America have agreed to a new partnership to collaborate on public awareness and education campaigns aimed at endingdrunk driving.

In late 2023, MADD created the MADD Network, a first-of-its-kind campaign that aims to unite diverse supporters of MADD who share the commitment of creating a future of No More Victims. Diageo, which has a proven track record of effective programming to prevent impaired driving, is an inaugural member in thelaunch of the MADD Network.

Their first partnership initiative will be to jointly send a clear “don’t drink and drive” message to football fans throughout the U.S. and beyond as the big game approaches, encouraging everyone to celebrate and enjoy the game safely while refraining from drinking and driving.

“In recent years we have witnessed a surge in drunk driving. Just since 2019, alcohol- related traffic fatalities have increased by 31%. MADD and Diageo are acutely aware that lives are at stake,” said MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart. “We all want to savor the big game, but no one should get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol,marijuana, or other drugs and substances that can impair driving. Our partnership will help carry this messagefar beyond what either of our organizations could reach alone.”

Having a great time before, during and after the big game is wonderful, say MADD and Diageo, but no one should put lives at risk by drinking and driving. Impaired driving deaths and injuries are a concern that affects Americans in both urban and rural area s and from all walks of life.

Impaired driving has increased by 14% two years in a row and has caused 13,000 deaths in a single year for thefirst time since 2007. Every 79 seconds, someone in the U.S. is killed or injured by a drunk driver — and that number does not include the deaths and injuries caused by drivers who were impaired by cannabis or othercontrolled substances.

MADD has helped save nearly 400,000 lives and served nearly 1 million victims in the last 43 years. MADDrecently celebrated the greatest legislative victory in its history —the passage of the HALT Act which requires advanced impaired driving prevention technology in all new cars. The organization continues to pass lifesaving legislation, advocate for victims and survivors and change America’s culture around drinking and driving. Today, MADD is fiercely dedicated to a future in which drunk driving is eradicated.

“We are proud to join forces with MADD on the shared commitment to address impaired driving, and extremely honored to become the inaugural member of the MADD Network,” said Stephanie Childs, Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations, at Diageo North America. “With our combined expertise, networks and educational resources to address alcohol-related harm, together we are stronger to raise awareness and help save lives.”

Diageo has a record of implementing and supporting multi-agency drunk driving programs that address education and enforcement all over the world. In the U.S., the company has supported initiatives aimed at reducing traffic deaths and improving road safety through a range of interventions, including partnerships with the private sector, local authorities, law enforcement, and other agencies that support the enforcement of impaired driving laws. Some of these efforts include:

  • Launching the ‘Wrong Side of the Road,’ an interactive experience aimed at educating people on theconsequences of impaired
  • Providing educational resources available through its DRINKiQ platform, which provides information (in English and Spanish) about alcohol and its effects, empowering people to make responsible choices.
  • Funding safe rides, designated drivers and free transportation to provide consumers with safe
  • Supporting the enforcement of drunk driving highly visible laws where they exist and theestablishment of effective laws where they don’t.
  • Diageo brands, dedicating advertising and activations toward promoting moderation and responsible drinking.

One of Diageo’s most recent initiatives, in 2022, was the creation of the Multicultural Consortium for Responsible Drinking (MCRD) in partnership with influential members of the Black, Latino and Native American communities to address alcohol-related harm. In the U.S., research has shown that alcohol consumption affects ethnic communities differently and through this hyperlocal community-focused effort, Diageo has provided educational resources to over 1.6 million people. MADD is proud to join the MCRD andlooks forward to working with other members in our shared mission and vision.

“We all need to work towards a future in which no one has to fear becoming the victim of an impaired driver.” added Stewart. “The power of the MADD Network comes from each partner — whether a corporation, a foundation, or an individual — using their own platform to help educate their unique community about the dangers of impaired driving, the need for underage drinking education/prevention, and legislative efforts thatwill effect real change.”

MADD and Diageo North America will announce additional details about their partnership in the near future.

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nonprofit leader in a movement to create a world where there are #NoMoreVictims of impaired driving. By working in collaboration with law enforcement to end underage drinking and all drunk and drugged driving, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths bymore than 50%, saving more than 400,000 lives. The organization is a vocal advocate for tougher sentencing, new laws and new technology, including implementation of the Halt Act. MADD also hasprovided supportive services to nearly one million victims of drunk and drugged driving at no charge through local victim advocates and its 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877- MADD-HELP. For more information or to make a donation, visit us at https://madd.org/and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on boththe New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and our productsare sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Further from Coverage and Closer to Profit, Health Insurance Giants Must Take Accountability

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Jessica Ann Tyson is President of the Frederick Douglass Foundation Michigan Chapter

As the incessant flu and COVID outbreaks continue to plague the U.S. this winter season, it is not unheard of to take further precautions to keep your health in good shape. Whether that’s getting your flu shot, taking essential vitamins, or even washing your hands a few more times a day, lots of people are taking the extra step to avoid the seemingly never-ending sicknesses being passed around. While these rituals seem to work for the majority, few find that not even their daily multivitamin can protect them from coming down with something.

In the 2021-2022 flu season, there were more than 4 million medical visits and over 10,000 hospitalizations for the influenza virus alone. Combining the 10,000 hospitalizations from the flu alongside of COVID hospitalizations for the 2021-2022 winter months, the number of people visiting and staying at healthcare facilities in this short time frame is pushing well into the millions. As these numbers continue to rise, so does the cost of healthcare. Since 2010, individual insurance premiums have risen over 58 percent, and family insurance premiums have risen more than 63 percent. Despite these skyrocketing numbers, health insurance still manages to cover less and less each year.

While health insurance companies are moving further from coverage and closer to profit, more and more Americans are drowning in medical bills, struggling to make ends meet. The top five health insurance companies, (United Health Group, Anthem, Centene, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield) collectively generated a profit of over $720 billion in 2022 alone. The largest of the five insurance companies, United Health Group, raked in over $324 billion dollars this year and is projected to bring in more than $360 billion in 2023. These record-breaking profits are an embarrassment to our healthcare system as hospitals are struggling to keep the lights on and patients are unable to cover these absurd costs.

In 2017, with full control of Washington, Republicans worked to repeal Obamacare only to come up short. Now that they have the majority again, we need to encourage the new leadership to offer a bold new vision that puts patients over profits and offers legislation that would protect American patient’s access to affordable care. This is an opportunity for Congress to finally implement policies that will hold insurers accountable.

A survey taken in 2019 shows that Americans collectively owe around $195 billion in medical debt and that number will only continue to rise. The US healthcare system is clearly no friend to anyone; however, this system is especially cruel to minority groups. While Americans owe around $195 billion in medical debt, the burden is unevenly distributed among American citizens. 28 percent of Black households hold medical debt compared to 17 percent of white households. Surveys have shown that in parts of the US, people living in communities of color are four times more likely to have medical debt compared to those living in predominantly white communities. The racial disparities in healthcare continue to devastate minority groups and the price gauging of health insurance companies is of no help.

As year 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic begins and flu season is in full throttle, health insurance companies need to start becoming our allies rather than our enemies. These insurance companies are bringing in enough profit to wipe out all medical debt several times over, yet millions of Americans, and especially minorities, are consistently losing sleep over how to pay off surprise medical bills and monthly premiums. A system put in place to help patients get the health care they need is now strictly serving big insurance. It’s time for health insurance giants to be held accountable, and work for their patients instead of against them.

Jessica Ann Tyson is President of the Frederick Douglass Foundation Michigan Chapter. Tyson has been listed as one of the Most Influential Women by Grand Rapids Business Journal. She was appointed to Building the 21st Century Economy Commission and Michigan Board of Nursing Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Health Care Services by former Governor Rick Snyder in 2014.

5 Leadership Traits Of The Founding Fathers That Can Unify America

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With the COVID-19 pandemic worsening, the economy faltering, and protests against racial injustice continuing, millions of Americans face difficult times and worry about the nation’s future.

 

And with a presidential election around the corner, it’s a critical time for the country to take stock of what political leadership should mean by going back to the principles embodied by the framers of the Constitution, says Dr. Jim White (www.opportunityinvesting.com), author of THE BROKEN AMERICA: Ten Guiding Principles to Restore America.

 

“Mending the nation requires a return to the values of the Constitution and the civility and wisdom of our Founding Fathers,” says Dr. White, founder and president of JL White International. “Citizens must hold leadership accountable at the national, state and local levels.

 

“There is stupefying dishonesty and an alarming lack of accountability by politicians on both sides of the aisle. The global pandemic served not to unite us against a deadly common foe, the coronavirus, but instead further divided the public along party lines. Regardless of which party voters belong to, there are political criteria all patriotic Americans should be requiring, and these can easily be found in the texts and teachings of our Founding Fathers.”

 

Referencing the leadership of the Founding Fathers as a framework, Dr. White cites leadership attributes he believes today’s political leaders must have to guide the nation back on course:

 

  • A clear, unifying vision. Dr. White says a political leader’s vision must be inclusive. “Political candidates usually have a vision in tandem with their campaigns that appeal to their bases and convince others to hop on the bandwagon,” Dr. White says. “Once in office, however, the vision needs to be amended to include all Americans – not just one party or sector. The elected official must repeatedly convey the vision in a way that’s clear. People should understand why the vision is important, what it means to the average citizen, and how it will be rolled out.”
  • Recognizes potential in others. Just as in business, it’s crucial for political leaders to hire the best possible job candidates. The problem, Dr. White says, is the freedom these leaders have in hiring cronies, donors and family can lead to less effective governing and even scandal. “Political leaders should be able to identify stars and empower them,” Dr. White says. “The leader is only as good as the team, and at the same time, ‘yes’ men and women is not what any true leader should want.”
  • Develops trust. “To some people, the words ‘trust’ and ‘politics’ don’t belong in the same sentence,” Dr. White says. “The truth is, politicians often lie. We must always hold them accountable for telling the truth. Leaders must have a level of transparency or else public trust in government gets lost.”
  • Shows empathy. “Political leaders must wear many hats, but the most important one is serving the people,” Dr. White says. “That means being present and empathetic when unforeseen tragedy strikes. Leaders are looked upon to help provide immediate help in all facets, including emotional support and encouragement. Our leaders must represent all of the people and show that they care.”
  • Conveys passion. “The nation’s leaders need to have unbridled, unconditional love for our nation,” Dr. White says, “which translates to optimism and a bright future for everyone – not just the wealthy and privileged few. People want to follow a passionate leader who puts the country’s interest above themselves, their political party, and winning.”

 

“Do today’s political leaders have what it takes to drive our nation?” Dr. White asks. “Tragically, the answer is as plain as day: no. But at a minimum, we must expect that our leaders will excel at the attributes the Founding Fathers exemplified.”

 

About Jim White, PhD

Jim White, PhD (www.opportunityinvesting.com), author of The Broken America: Ten Guiding Principles To Restore America, is founder and president of JL White International. He also is chairman and CEO of Post Harvest Technologies, Inc. and Growers Ice Company, Inc., and founder and CEO of PHT Opportunity Fund LP. White is  the author of five books, including the bestselling Opportunity Investing: How To Revitalize Urban and Rural Communities with Opportunity Funds. Throughout his career, he has bought, expanded, and sold 23 companies, operating in 44 countries. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering, an MBA, and a doctorate in Psychology and Organizational Behavior.