Wagga academics and US expats claim it’s time to let Donald Trump get on with governing, ahead of Saturday’s inauguration.
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America at 3am on Saturday, accompanied by rock band 3 Doors Down, the Radio City Rockettes, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Lee Greenwood and RaviDrums.
The highly anticipated spectacle made headlines after British singer Rebecca Ferguson and Elton John refused to perform and electronic musician Moby said he’d only play if Mr Trump released his tax returns.
Wagga Charles Sturt University politics lecturer Dr Troy Whitford said Mr Trump’s ascendancy to high office was emblematic of a global backlash to uninspiring, polished, professional politicians.
“The American people have made their decision, there doesn't seem to be substantial evidence of voter tampering, so we have to let him run his presidency,” Dr Whitford said.
“There’s a lot of hysteria around Trump; some he's brought on himself, some is media hype and some is driven by his political opposition.
“But everyone needs to calm down and give Trump an opportunity to win or fail.”
Dr Whitford said populists like Mr Trump, Pauline Hanson and Jacqui Lambie were riding a wave of success.
“The language politicians use has become so sterile that we’re not inspired by it; they’re too cautious,” he said.
“There’s a whole pool of politicians coming through that used to be political staffers and people can see through that incestuous arrangement.”
Dr Whitford didn’t believe Australia would lose out under Mr Trump’s presidency, but conceded “none of us really know what his foreign policy will be”.
Donald Trump will be the least popular incoming president in history, according to separate polls for CNN and The Washington Post that put his approval rating at just 40 per cent – compared with Barack Obama's 84 per cent in 2009.
Wagga expat Diane Mortimer is repulsed by Mr Trump’s divisive rhetoric, but agrees he’s earned the benefit of the doubt.
“Worldwide, people are fed up with the political elite, and that’s really hit home in America,” she said.
“Bill Clinton was so close to being impeached, it was amazing he didn't, so don't tell me his wife is second-best person in all of America.
“There’s nothing anybody can do about it, unless he gets impeached for sexual harassment or is shot, and I wouldn't be surprised if either happened.”
Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend anti-Trump protests at the inauguration.
