The following is a brief summary of an opinion piece published on The New York Times on October 2, 2018, entitled “Toxic Leadership: Trump’s Division is the New Public Health Crisis.” The author asserts that President Trump’s leadership, characterized by division, hostility, and incivility, poses a hazard to public health and threatens to undermine the nation’s social fabric. According to the author, Trump’s presidency has created “an atmosphere of toxic stress,” inflicting damage on mental and physical health, particularly among marginalized populations. However, the author also acknowledges that the effects of toxic leadership are not unique to the United States and highlights instances in which similar phenomena have led to fractious politics, violence, and instability in other countries. To address the issue, the author encourages Americans to mobilize and challenge political figures who promote hostility and division, and to advocate for policies that promote greater equity and social cohesion. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of solidarity, critical thinking, and empathy in countering toxic leadership and maintaining a healthy democracy.
Leave a Reply