The roles of meritocracy and racism in creating a Trump presidency

By CNN Staff, CNN
Updated 7:00 PM EST, Sun November 13, 2016
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Story highlights

Donald Trump became US President-elect less than a week ago

Since his victory, thousands have protested on America's streets

(CNN) —  

Less than a week after Donald Trump’s ascent to President-elect, Fareed Zakaria examines the divisions that he says helped carry Trump to the door of the White House – and left millions of Americans terrified.

From New York to Los Angeles, thousands of demonstrators have marched in American cities since Trump’s unexpected victory capped an acrimonious campaign.

Groups across the country are angry about policies Trump has promised to enforce concerning immigration, the environment, LGBT rights and other issues.

Nearly 1,000 students and faculty members at Rutgers University staged a rally in downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey, to protest President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, November 16. At least 25 US cities have seen protests since Trump won the presidential election.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Nearly 1,000 students and faculty members at Rutgers University staged a rally in downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey, to protest President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, November 16. At least 25 US cities have seen protests since Trump won the presidential election.
PHOTO: Albin Lohr-Jones/Sipa
Students hold signs in front of the Supreme Court in Washington during a protest on Tuesday, November 15.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Students hold signs in front of the Supreme Court in Washington during a protest on Tuesday, November 15.
PHOTO: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Activists use a banner to block traffic on Interstate 395 during an anti-Trump protest in Washington on Monday, November 14.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Activists use a banner to block traffic on Interstate 395 during an anti-Trump protest in Washington on Monday, November 14.
PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Anti-Trump protesters in New York hung an upside-down American flag from the side of the Manhattan Bridge on November 14.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Anti-Trump protesters in New York hung an upside-down American flag from the side of the Manhattan Bridge on November 14.
PHOTO: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Demonstrators distribute safety pins as a sign of solidarity against intolerance during a rally against Trump in New York on Saturday, November 12.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Demonstrators distribute safety pins as a sign of solidarity against intolerance during a rally against Trump in New York on Saturday, November 12.
PHOTO: KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators march to Trump Tower in Chicago on November 12.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Demonstrators march to Trump Tower in Chicago on November 12.
PHOTO: NOVA SAFO/AFP/Getty Images
People protest Trump during a march in downtown Miami on Friday, November 11.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
People protest Trump during a march in downtown Miami on Friday, November 11.
PHOTO: Nicole Raucheisen/USA TODAY Network/Sipa USA
Hundreds of Trump protesters hold a demonstration in New York
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Hundreds of Trump protesters hold a demonstration in New York's Washington Square Park on November 11.
PHOTO: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A man walks by anti-Trump graffiti in downtown Oakland, California, on November 11. Thousands of protesters have wreaked havoc on the city during anti-Trump marches, causing vandalism, fires and destruction of property.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
A man walks by anti-Trump graffiti in downtown Oakland, California, on November 11. Thousands of protesters have wreaked havoc on the city during anti-Trump marches, causing vandalism, fires and destruction of property.
PHOTO: JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
A protester kicks the window of a Bank of America branch in Portland, Oregon, on November 10. What started out as a peaceful march with more than 4,000 people quickly turned violent. Portland police publicly declared a "riot" because of "extensive criminal and dangerous behavior," according to posts on the department
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
A protester kicks the window of a Bank of America branch in Portland, Oregon, on November 10. What started out as a peaceful march with more than 4,000 people quickly turned violent. Portland police publicly declared a "riot" because of "extensive criminal and dangerous behavior," according to posts on the department's Twitter page.
PHOTO: Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa USA
Demonstrators flood the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Demonstrators flood the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on November 10.
PHOTO: Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Police officers stand guard as they slowly clear Trump protesters from the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Police officers stand guard as they slowly clear Trump protesters from the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on November 10.
PHOTO: Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Demonstrators protest in Denver on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Demonstrators protest in Denver on November 10.
PHOTO: Jason Connolly/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers look on as someone protests in Portland on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Police officers look on as someone protests in Portland on November 10.
PHOTO: Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa USA
Trump protesters march toward Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Trump protesters march toward Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on November 10.
PHOTO: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Numerous cars at a Toyota dealership were smashed as people protested in Portland on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Numerous cars at a Toyota dealership were smashed as people protested in Portland on November 10.
PHOTO: Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa USA
Trump protesters chant outside the White House on November 10.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Trump protesters chant outside the White House on November 10.
PHOTO: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters set an effigy of Trump on fire outside Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday, November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Protesters set an effigy of Trump on fire outside Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday, November 9.
PHOTO: Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Demonstrators march down Second Avenue in Seattle on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Demonstrators march down Second Avenue in Seattle on November 9.
PHOTO: Karen Ducey/Getty Images
Police respond to a fire set by anti-Trump protesters in Oakland, California, on November 9. Police said some protesters threw Molotov cocktails, rocks and fireworks at officers.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Police respond to a fire set by anti-Trump protesters in Oakland, California, on November 9. Police said some protesters threw Molotov cocktails, rocks and fireworks at officers.
PHOTO: JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters in Chicago display anti-Trump signs near the Trump International Hotel and Tower on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Protesters in Chicago display anti-Trump signs near the Trump International Hotel and Tower on November 9.
PHOTO: PAUL BEATY/AFP/Getty Images
Trump protesters take to the streets in Philadelphia on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Trump protesters take to the streets in Philadelphia on November 9.
PHOTO: Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images
Thousands march down Fifth Avenue in New York on November 9. Authorities estimated as many as 5,000 people protested Trump
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Thousands march down Fifth Avenue in New York on November 9. Authorities estimated as many as 5,000 people protested Trump's victory outside Trump Tower.
PHOTO: Callie Shell for CNN
Protesters rally against Trump in New York
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Protesters rally against Trump in New York's Union Square on November 9.
PHOTO: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Demonstrators march past Radio City Music Hall in New York on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Demonstrators march past Radio City Music Hall in New York on November 9.
PHOTO: KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images
People listen to speakers protesting Trump
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
People listen to speakers protesting Trump's election in Seattle on November 9.
PHOTO: Ted S. Warren/AP
A woman argues with police officers during a protest in New York on November 9. Erin Michelle Threlfall, the woman pictured, told The Huffington Post she was attempting to intervene on behalf of a man she says the police were beating.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
A woman argues with police officers during a protest in New York on November 9. Erin Michelle Threlfall, the woman pictured, told The Huffington Post she was attempting to intervene on behalf of a man she says the police were beating.
PHOTO: KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images
Sasha Savenko, left, and Sydney Kane join thousands of protesters in Seattle on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Sasha Savenko, left, and Sydney Kane join thousands of protesters in Seattle on November 9.
PHOTO: Karen Ducey/Getty Images
Crowds rally outside Trump Tower in New York on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Crowds rally outside Trump Tower in New York on November 9.
PHOTO: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Charles Watkins speaks out at an anti-Trump protest in Denver on November 9.
Photos: Anti-Trump protests after election
Charles Watkins speaks out at an anti-Trump protest in Denver on November 9.
PHOTO: Joe Amon/Denver Post/Getty Images

There have also been reports of racist graffiti and hate crimes post-election.

On the latest episode of GPS, Zakaria says Trump’s victory has highlighted the division between urban versus rural and the winners and losers in America’s meritocracy.

The Republican Party knew how to show respect to the have-nots, Zakaria says. But he says racism also played a part in Trump’s victory.

Right-wing populism

Countries such as France and Germany, where the white majority populations have faced a rise in immigrants, have also seen a strengthening in right-wing populism, he says.

“Perhaps the phenomenon might be better described as a reaction to cultural change, but it often expresses itself simply as hostility to people who are different, and are usually brown and black.”

And Trump connected with his target audience.

“Donald Trump’s political skill was to speak defiantly about both these sensitive issues – elitism and race – in a simple, direct and politically incorrect way that connected with white voters, particularly white men,” Zakaria says.

“But in doing so, he also terrified tens of millions of other Americans.”