History As It Happens: "Trumpism After Trump, Revisited"

Release Date: January 17, 2025
Host: Martin Di Caro
Guest: Damon Linker, Political Journalist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania

Introduction: The Enduring Influence of Trumpism

In the episode "Trumpism After Trump, Revisited," host Martin Di Caro delves deep into the persistent legacy of Donald Trump’s political ideology despite his exit from the White House. The conversation explores whether Trumpism has truly concluded or if it continues to shape American politics in profound ways.

Historical Context: From Reagan to Trump

Damon Linker provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of conservatism in the United States. He traces the roots from Reagan-era conservatism, characterized by a strong federal presence and aggressive foreign policy, to the emergence of populist discontent that set the stage for Trump’s rise.

Damon Linker [02:09]: "It was not a fluke. We all know this guy. We know what he wants to do, we know how he is, we know his behavior."

Linker emphasizes that Trump's accumulation of over 14 million votes from 2016 to 2020 was a clear indicator of a shifting Republican Party, necessitating a reevaluation of traditional conservative strategies.

The Evolution of Conservatism and Populism

The discussion highlights how pre-World War II conservatism, with its isolationist and anti-federal government sentiments, never fully dissipated but remained dormant until it resurfaced through populist movements like the Tea Party and ultimately Trumpism. Linker argues that Trump tapped into a longstanding conservative undercurrent that prioritized skepticism of government and a focus on individual and state autonomy.

Damon Linker [15:56]: "We were in a period of relative placidity. Whereas the American norm from the pre-Civil War period... we were in a period of anomalous consent."

Trump’s Impact on the Republican Party

Trump’s presidency marked a significant departure from traditional Republican norms. His administration’s appointments, such as Russ Vaught to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), indicate a deliberate move to dismantle the existing administrative state and replace it with loyalists aimed at enacting radical libertarian reforms.

Damon Linker [50:44]: "He really wants to make this happen. He's kind of like David Stockman 2.0."

Linker draws parallels between Trump’s strategies and those of Ronald Reagan’s budget director, David Stockman, noting Vaught’s ambitions to restructure federal agencies through initiatives like Schedule F, which aims to make federal employees more easily dismissable and replaceable.

Democratic Strategies in the Age of Trumpism

The conversation shifts to how the Democratic Party grapples with declining trust in public institutions and the challenge of countering Trumpism. Linker suggests that Democrats might need to adopt a populist rhetoric, focusing on demonizing elites and advocating for responsible reforms rather than expansive agendas like Medicare for All or the Green New Deal.

Damon Linker [28:56]: "The populist spirit is slightly different... it's actually like demonizing specific elites and running against them."

Martin Di Caro concurs, pointing out that Democrats must balance aspirational economic visions with rebuilding trust in government to effectively counter the populist allure of Trumpism.

Global Shifts and Trump’s Foreign Policy Vision

Linker discusses the transformation of global power dynamics from a unipolar to a multipolar world. He critiques Trump’s foreign policy as reminiscent of late 19th-century power politics, advocating for clear spheres of influence and minimal moral considerations in international dealings.

Donald Trump [36:06]: "We need them for economic security... Panama Canal is vital to our country."

Linker argues that Trump’s approach disregards alliances and moral frameworks established during the Cold War and post-Cold War eras, favoring transactional relationships over strategic partnerships.

The Future of Trumpism: Potential Legacies and Policy Shifts

As Trump prepares for a potential second term, Linker examines the likelihood of a lasting Trumpist policy legacy. While acknowledging that Trump’s first term did not leave significant policy marks, he anticipates that the ongoing dismantling of federal structures and the promotion of radical libertarianism could have enduring impacts.

Damon Linker [53:14]: "It's nothing like that [Reagan]; it was a pretty close election, and yet it was not a fluke."

Linker notes that the second iteration of Trumpism might be more structured and coherent, with strategic appointments poised to implement sweeping changes through executive actions, despite the limited timeframe of a presidential term.

Conclusion: The Intangible Legacy of Trumpism

Martin Di Caro concludes by reflecting on the intangible legacy of Trumpism, comparing it to Reagan’s enduring influence. He suggests that Trumpism may leave behind a transformed mindset regarding the relationship between government and citizens, emphasizing a more adversarial and individualistic approach.

Martin Di Caro [48:23]: "His narrative was the stolen election, and that kept him around, really. I think that he built his comeback off of that idea that lie, among other things, the system out to get me."

The episode underscores the complex interplay between historical conservatism, populist movements, and the evolving landscape of American politics, questioning whether Trumpism represents a permanent shift or a transient phenomenon in the broader narrative of U.S. history.

Notable Quotes:

• Damon Linker [02:09]: "It was not a fluke. We all know this guy. We know what he wants to do, we know how he is, we know his behavior."

• Donald Trump [36:06]: "We need them for economic security... Panama Canal is vital to our country."

• Damon Linker [50:44]: "He really wants to make this happen. He's kind of like David Stockman 2.0."

• Martin Di Caro [48:23]: "His narrative was the stolen election, and that kept him around, really. I think that he built his comeback off of that idea that lie, among other things, the system out to get me."

Key Takeaways:

• Trumpism continues to exert significant influence over the Republican Party, reshaping its strategies and ideological foundations.

• The Democratic Party faces the challenge of regaining trust in public institutions while formulating responses to the populist tendencies of Trumpism.

• Global political dynamics are shifting towards a multipolar world, altering the strategic imperatives of U.S. foreign policy under Trump.

• The future legacy of Trumpism remains uncertain, with potential long-term impacts on the administrative state and the nature of political discourse in America.

For more insightful discussions and historical analyses, tune into "History As It Happens" every Tuesday and Friday, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter at historyasithappens.com.