The Institute for Education organized an exclusive panel discussion, “Making Meaning of the Election,” hosted by the Ambassador of Singapore to the United States, LUI Tuck Yew and Madam Soo Fen Teng, and Coach Kathy Kemper, CEO and Founder of the Institute for Education.
The event, held on November 19, was timed for two weeks following Election Day in case the results were still in doubt. As was the case, however, the results of the 2024 election were very clear.
Moderated by C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist, the discussion welcomed well-sourced reporters and media commentators who had a front-row seat to the 2024 election. Margaret Talev of Axios, Jasmine Wright of NOTUS, and Philip Klein of National Review Online opened their notebooks to share at the off-the-record salon.
The panel engaged the distinguished audience in an interactive, candid, retrospective, and forward-looking conversation.
Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew opened with remarks asking a pointed question: Did the election results signal a permanent change in American politics? Given the volatility of recent election cycles, examining the state of the electorate has tremendous implications for geopolitics and foreign relations. This question was at the forefront of many members of the diplomatic community in the room.
For one hour, the panel explored a wide range of topics, including the changing media landscape and which platforms were the most influential in the election. It notably discussed how the Trump campaign leveraged podcasts such as the Joe Rogan Experience to reach key voter demographics.
The panel analyzed President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks and what their selections would mean for US policy and international relations, especially the future of the war in Ukraine.
The evening at the elegant Singapore Embassy showcased IFE’s commitment to fostering dialogue across policy, diplomacy, and education. A prestigious audience of 15 foreign ambassadors and representatives from 22 embassies attended, reflecting the international community’s keen interest in the election’s implications.
A reception featured traditional Singaporean dishes and desserts, including the iconic Singapore Sling, creating a warm and rigorous discussion atmosphere.
Click to view: Event Photos | Round-up PDF
SPOTTED: H.E. LUI Tuck Yew and Madam Soo Fen Teng (Singapore) and Coach Kathy Kemper, Sam Feist (C-SPAN), Jasmine Wright (NOTUS), Philip Klein (National Review), Margaret Talev (Axios), Ajit Pai, Ruth Berry, Carole House, Joanne Ke Edelman, H.E. Yerzhan Ashikbayev and Mrs. Dinara Ashikbayeva (Kazakhstan), H.E. Francisco Duarte Lopes and Mrs. María Paula Lopes (Portugal), H.E. Iztok Mirosic (Slovenia), H.E. Nicole Bintner-Bakshian (Luxembourg), H.E. Jose Luis Guterres (Timor-Leste), H.E. Andrés Durán Hareau (Uruguay), H.E. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (Philippines), H.E. Nazri Aziz and Madame Haflin Saiful Azhar (Malaysia), H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse (Thailand), Belgium Charge d’affaires Ms. Sophie Karlshausen, DCM Socheat OUM (Cambodia), H.E. Birgitta Tazelaar (Netherlands),DCM Mr. Jaime Ramon Ascalon, Jr. (Philippines), and H.E. Bojan Vujic (United Nations at Geneva).
