This is an article by the same guy who wrote the “Flight 93” article endorsing Trump in 2016. He is arguing for a Republican Party that combines social conservatism, economic populism-nationalism, and semi-isolationism, while engaging in outreach to minorities. Yeah, that will really fly with the Likudniks, plutocrats, and war profiteers who run the party, and the know-nothings who constitute their base. Anyone who sees Trump as anything other than a huckster and charlatan has their head up their ass. Trump’s actual political instincts are well to the left of his party. That’s obvious in the rare moments when he breaks kayfabe and actually expresses serious opinions.  It’s obvious that Trump knows perfectly well that US wars of the last 20 years are a disaster, that neoliberal globalization has destroyed the US working class, that Republican deficit hawks are con men (Trump actually favors MMT), that the war on drugs is a disaster (Trump once endorsed full drug legalization in a candid moment). He’s also a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-trans liberal in his private opinions. But he cares more about his own ego and self-promotion so he mostly lets the normal Republicans run his administration while doing his impersonation of Spiro Agnew (another faux reactionary huckster).

By Michael Anton

Claremont Review of  Books

Americans who want to remain citizens of a united country that at least makes some desultory attempt to protect them and further their interests have no choice but to stay the course. As the saying goes, the only way out is through.

I know that some readers will lament that the Trump Administration has been a disappointment. “Where’s our wall?” I’d like to have seen more progress by now, too. “Why wasn’t he tougher during the riots and their aftermath?” I don’t know.

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