Minutes to midnight
The Doomsday Clock, created nearly 80 years ago by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, is a symbolic representation of how close the world is to the brink of disaster (midnight). Last year, the clock was moved to 90 seconds from midnight, the closest ever, and it will remain in that position this year, according to a new statement.
It’s easy to point fingers at the sitting President of the United States when the clock inches perilously close to midnight. Before doing so, it’s smart to consider whether the person holding that office is someone who has been working tirelessly to address the world’s problems or a source of the chaos himself. The contrast between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is a case in point.
As the leader of the free world, the President has great sway over shaping world events, whether it’s bringing a military conflict to an end, addressing AI concerns, or combating climate change and misinformation. However, no President has a magic wand. That’s why it’s important that whoever leads the country is committed to fixing things, not tearing them apart, and to keeping all Americans safe from harm, including not pitting them against each other for perverse political points.
Trump still clings to the lie that he won reelection in 2020. Had he in fact won, one could only imagine how much closer to midnight we would now be. Similarly, if Trump becomes the Republican nominee and manages to return to the White House next year, it wouldn’t be a question of whether the Doomsday Clock would continue ticking to midnight, but how fast.
This November, America has a choice. Even if Trump does not become the nominee, the GOP has made its commitment to fascism, lies, cruelty, and incompetence quite clear. Trump and the Republican Party, both intentionally and recklessly, bring us closer to disaster on so many levels each day, while President Biden and the Democrats have a proven record of meaningful action to improve the world.
Although the Doomsday Clock is unchanged this time around, its recent ticking toward midnight is distressing. However, this should serve as yet another reminder of why steady, smart leadership must continue into next year and beyond. On November 5, Americans will make a critical decision at the ballot box. If we all remain committed to moving away from midnight, then we all win.
Ron Leshnower is a lawyer and the author of several books, including President Trump’s Month