When Donald Trump stormed into office in 2017, his record a blank tablet, doubters were advised to “give him a chance.” That would be the patriotic thing to do, so it was said.
Today, we have a full list of particulars from his 2017-21 years. (It’s important to include the 2021 part.) We also have all of Trump’s campaign threats and promises and the quickly re-emerging Project 2025, tucked away when it was politically inconvenient. Should we now retreat and give this a chance (not that MAGA cares what we do):
* Cabinet nominations (Gaetz, Gabbard, Hegseth, RFK Jr.) whose sideshow escapades (sex trafficking, spy intrigue, provocative tattoos, brain worms) are secondary to their gross lack of experience for their positions.
* Trump’s demands to bypass and override the Senate’s constitutional role (Article II, Section 2) to advise and consent to those nominees
* The spectacle of the world’s richest man advising Trump how to dismantle the social safety nets that protect almost all Americans in one way or another
As in 2017, Senate Republicans are threatened: What does their integrity mean to them? What shreds of power do they want to retain in the Trump presidency? Power, party, country — in what order? Senator J.D. Vance will escape these challenges and will instead be tasked with championing Gaetz, explaining incoherent X posts, defending mass resignations of good men and women.
Trump will never enjoy sustained public approval. We don’t need to give him a chance for six months or one month. He has thrown the gauntlet. He will win if we despair. Don’t. The battle begins in January.
— Tom Dento
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