The Republican Party obviously suffered a devastating defeat. One it will have a much more difficult time recovering from, if it recovers at all. When the party lost in 2020, confusion over our COVID response, coupled with a relatively unpopular standard-bearer, led to a narrow defeat.

As the Biden administration proceeded, the public reeled from almost double-digit inflation, the worst in forty years. Our borders seemed wide open. By comparison, many remembered the Trump administration’s economy fondly, buoyed by lower capital taxes and reduced regulations. Inflation was relatively tame:

Out of office, Trump’s off-putting character wasn’t as omnipresent; Republican policies looked pretty good. Trump was returned to power in 2024

Inflation is a cruel tax as it’s regressive, meaning it hits the lower earners harder. Nobody wants to see prices go up every time you shop. Most people have never been fond of Donald Trump, yet he seemed ubiquitous. While he kept many of his first-term, capital-favorable policies on taxes and regulations, he veered off course by giving tax breaks to special voting groups, such as no-tax tips.

Worse, his two major policies made it impossible to reduce inflation. Tariffs halted any downward price movement, while his Iran war sent them skyward. Nobody signed on for this program. The result was a wipeout not only at the federal level, but also in state and local contests. Your local dog catcher probably changed to Democrat.

When the Democrats suffered a similar rout in 2010, they suffered from poor candidate quality that persists today. They lost their farm clubs. Now the Republicans face the same future.

In a presidential election year, an incumbent getting soundly wiped out leaves the party to look for new leadership and policies. Unfortunately for the GOP, this was a midyear, and Trump is in place for two more years.

Is a pleasant presidency with new war and tariff policies in the cards? With Trump, you never know. Remember, he has changed parties several times. The only ideology he’s consistently held is what’s best for himself and his family. Before Trump, tariffs found more favor with Democrats, while Republicans were mostly free traders.

Notice how chummy he has been with New York City Mayor Mandani, even when the Republicans were trying to portray the Democrat as a communist. Cutting deals with Democrats on key legislation might improve his perceived legacy while shielding him from some investigations.

Continue reading →