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As the No Kings protest testifies, the political terrain favors activists. Donald Trump's second term has been one that never rests; if it is not Truth Social posts, it is the President's gratuitous remarks.
Nothing is off limits as far as Trump is concerned. Whether rejoicing at the death of Robert Mueller or his attacks on Conservative Supreme Court justices for their anti-terrorist decision, all boundaries are ignored.
The problem with this approach is that Trump only strengthens his enemies and alienates reliable Tories. In this respect, he seems determined to break his MAGA coalition in two.
He should be a little more of a politician than a corporate executive eager to force a deal. The "art of the deal" politically is a bit different from a commercial arrangement; it requires resolution, but also tact and the talents of the fox.
Total victories are not wise to pursue; it does not mean you cannot achieve overall goals, but it requires patience, which Trump does not appear to possess.
Joseph P. Kennedy even offered a business maxim that Trump would be encouraged to follow: "Only a fool holds out for top dollar". Trump's approach of bluster and over-promising leaves him vulnerable. By pushing no "forever wars," he attracted Joe Rogan.
But Iran and ICE actions made Rogan switch and denounce the President. Though Rogan is a mystery, he was somehow confused about Trump's cry for mass deportations. To my knowledge, Trump has never wavered in his position.
This raises the question of how coalitions are formed today. To rely on "influencers" who whip up the public and move along political lines with alacrity is dangerous.
Trump managed to win two elections by appealing to voters who eagerly chose hot-button issues. In the end, Trump turned out to be a garden-variety Republican right-winger who is devoted to the monied classes--no great surprises.
Populism's new style does not differ too much from the older variety. The tendency is to attract those out of power to remove those who possess power. You build a belief system on resentment and try to undermine the "establishment". Every appeal is made, creating an "infantile" style of politics.
Trump cannot be wholly blamed for taking advantage of such voters; this is a time-honored approach. The "populist," which Trump clearly is not, has a crazy-quilt set of ideas. The President has made no secret that he loves money and has a passion for gold which rivals King Midas.
So whatever complaints that MAGA dissidents may have with Trump are based on the same loose renderings that made them vote for him in the first place. Trump did not "lie"; he implied these "influencers" took the bait. None ever bothered to think how such a grandiose agenda as Trump's could be enacted in a constitutional system is their fault, not his.