Donald Trump has made clear that, even after he leaves office, he'll do what he can to screw with the country.
Most pundits assume that he will succeed.
@TheAtlantic, I make the case for why Trump could (!) fade into irrelevance.
[Thread]
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
Most pundits assume that he will succeed.
@TheAtlantic, I make the case for why Trump could (!) fade into irrelevance.
[Thread]
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
First off, this is not a prediction.
If there's one thing Trump is actually talented at, it's seeking the limelight. And he clearly wants to build a news channel and return to the White House in 2024. He might succeed.
But there are three obstacles that are widely overlooked.
If there's one thing Trump is actually talented at, it's seeking the limelight. And he clearly wants to build a news channel and return to the White House in 2024. He might succeed.
But there are three obstacles that are widely overlooked.
1)
A big reason why Trump won in 2016 is that Americans saw him as a powerful winner.
Now, for the first time, he looks like a sore loser.
His veneer of invincibility is fading. Fear of what he might do next is giving way to laughter. He looks more weak and scared by the day.
A big reason why Trump won in 2016 is that Americans saw him as a powerful winner.
Now, for the first time, he looks like a sore loser.
His veneer of invincibility is fading. Fear of what he might do next is giving way to laughter. He looks more weak and scared by the day.
2)
When Oprah started her network, she was the biggest star on TV. Yet OWN never rivaled the big four.
So if someone's pitching you on Trump News Network right now, be cautious. Taking on Fox News would be hard for anyone; Trump's record of failure makes me doubt he'll succeed.
When Oprah started her network, she was the biggest star on TV. Yet OWN never rivaled the big four.
So if someone's pitching you on Trump News Network right now, be cautious. Taking on Fox News would be hard for anyone; Trump's record of failure makes me doubt he'll succeed.
3)
In 2005, George W. Bush had 90% approval among Republicans. By 2008, few candidates wanted him to campaign for them.
Each of the last five presidential candidates was very different from the last. The same could be true in 2024.
It's not obvious Trump would win a primary.
In 2005, George W. Bush had 90% approval among Republicans. By 2008, few candidates wanted him to campaign for them.
Each of the last five presidential candidates was very different from the last. The same could be true in 2024.
It's not obvious Trump would win a primary.
Trump certainly *could* stage a spectacular comeback and return to the White House.
But what's possible need not be likely. And the odds that Americans will grow bored of the histrionic antics of a sore loser they just kicked out of office are better than most seem to think.
But what's possible need not be likely. And the odds that Americans will grow bored of the histrionic antics of a sore loser they just kicked out of office are better than most seem to think.
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