The Great Replacement Theory: A Dangerous Myth or a Powerful Political Force?

On the first day of his second term, the 47th U.S. President Donald Trump signed ten executive orders and proclamations aimed at reshaping U.S. immigration policies riding on the wave of rhetoric of ‘Making America Great Again’. These changes ranging from immigration to citizenship impacted almost every aspect of the country’s intricate immigration system. The Trump administration has been building upon policies and drawing corollaries from its first term in the office.

Trump 2.0

One significant order involved blocking the entry of individuals deemed to be “engaged in the invasion” of the U.S. at the southern border, relying on Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This legal provision had previously been used during Trump’s first term for travel and refugee bans. The administration also attempted to invoke it to limit asylum access, but those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. He has further revived these policies by issuing executive orders aimed at mass deportations and by revoking protections like Temporary Protected Status for certain immigrant populations. The rapid burst of executive actions on day one not only sent a clear message to immigrant communities that they were being targeted but also established a framework for future policy moves. In a major policy shift, the Trump administration recently issued an executive order restricting birthright citizenship. Under the new rule, only children born to U.S. citizens or green card holders will automatically receive citizenship, replacing the long-standing ‘jus soli’ principle with ‘jus sanguinis’.  This move challenges the democratic ideal of citizenship as the “right to have rights,” a concept championed by political thinker Hannah Arendt. The critics argue it could create stateless children, violate the 14th Amendment and spark intense debate on immigration and American identity.

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Resurgence of GRT

The Great Replacement Theory which has recently been debated for being at the foreground to the ideas and notions of the very old, deeply rooted fears was popularised by French writer Renaud Camus who argued that powerful “replacist elites” are deliberately promoting policies designed to suppress white European family growth while simultaneously facilitating mass immigration. Further postulating a narrative that claims there’s a deliberate plan to wipe out white people—what some call “white genocide.” This narrative has since permeated political discourse and has been linked to various far‑right movements worldwide inspiring far-right extremists who carried out horrific attacks in places like Christchurch in 2019 and Buffalo in 2022.

Trump 1.0

Trump’s immigration platform stresses a tougher border, a merit-based entry system, and a cautious stance on multiculturalism. His controversial comments—including claims that Mexico sends “rapists and criminals,” and his use of the term “shithole countries,” —reflect a view that sees immigration as a profound challenge to American society. Critics argue that such rhetoric not only dehumanizes immigrants but also deepens societal divisions, impacting the lives of countless people on both sides of the border. In 2017, President Trump implemented a travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries, asserting the necessity of a “Travel ban for certain dangerous countries“. He has been very vocal about “Building the Wall” at the Mexico border. Further, in a 2015 campaign statement advocating for strict immigration controls Trump said “I am calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.” These events showcase his ideas of “Building America Great Again” rooted in the Great Replacement Theory. Trump’s recent tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and an increasingly hostile China—marketed as an arealist, national-interest move—are expected to have significant repercussions that will lead to retaliatory tariffs and market volatility that eventually affect the U.S. economy at home.

Global trends

These trends reveal a broader theme uniting far-right movements across the West – a deep-seated fear that migration and shifting birth rates threaten their vision of national identity– be it the  Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán urging families to have more children to combat demographic decline, or the far-right parties in Germany and Italy warning against the rising Muslim immigration—exacerbated by the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis—threatening to “replace” native populations. These developments underscore a common theme among far-right movements: a fear that demographic changes threaten their vision of national identity. This has led to policies aimed at influencing demographic trends and restricting immigration to preserve perceived cultural and ethnic compositions. Whether in the U.S. or Europe, the politics of demographic anxiety continue to shape policy decisions and fuel far-right mobilization. Andrew Fergus Wilson highlights how portraying demographic shifts as an existential crisis can lead to radicalization. When these narratives dehumanize immigrants and minority communities, they create a dangerous ideological foundation that can justify violent actions. This has been evident in several mass shootings where perpetrators referenced the Great Replacement theory in their manifestos. However, despite lacking factual basis, the narrative around migration and shifting birth rates threatening their vision of national identity has gained traction, largely because it has been amplified by influential media figures and political leaders. Their endorsement has fostered fear and division, making it harder to promote inclusive policies in diverse societies.  This framing, while resonating with those who feel anxious about rapid social changes, has been widely criticised as an oversimplification rooted in deep-seated xenophobia and fear.

Way Forward

The Great Replacement Theory isn’t just an obscure conspiracy—it has real-world consequences. It influences political decisions, fuels acts of violence, and shapes public discourse on immigration and identity. Understanding its impact is essential in the fight against xenophobia, racism, and extremism in today’s interconnected world. While we live in an overtly globalised world the impact of policies rooted in such theories can have a drastic impact with the global south being majorly at the receiving end. The Trump led U.S. which is on road to preserve national unity is going to be a challenge to reckon with for the multilateral organizations and states alike. The hegemon which has been involved in every major global event since the post cold war era is now trying hard to pursue an inclusive and realist approach in an ever multipolar world order. The decisions have strained relations with traditional allies and prompted both economic and political responses from international partners, affecting America’s global standing. While the intentions have been national, economic and demographic interests the policies have ultimately not only dehumanised entire groups of people but also created an environment of fear and division with producing a complex legacy marked by economic disruption, increased social polarization, and significant shifts in international alliances.

Recognizing these academic insights is key to combating xenophobia, racism, and extremist ideologies. By examining the theory’s deep-rooted origins and its influence on public attitudes and policy, communities and policymakers can craft informed strategies to debunk these harmful myths and foster a more inclusive society.