Donald Trump's core MAGA policies, particularly his stance on trade, are facing a significant backlash, with his allies poised to pay a political price, according to commentary by Daniel Hannan.
Hannan observes that the anti-Trump sentiment was palpable in Midwestern states, which rely heavily on cross-border trade. He cites a billboard in Wisconsin that humorously posed the question, "What's worse than Chicago? Tariffs!" This sentiment, he suggests, indicates a rejection of Trumpism's central tenet of protectionism.
Despite Trump's frequent policy shifts, his consistent opposition to free trade, often summarized by his self-description as a "tariff man," has remained a defining characteristic. Hannan contends that Trump's advisors, aware of the potential downsides of tariffs, including the burden on American consumers and the failure to re-shore jobs or generate revenue, still supported these policies. He notes that trade deficits, a key obsession for Trump, have not historically hampered U.S. economic performance.
The author suggests that Trump's allies, driven by ambition, fear, or a desire to appease the MAGA voting bloc, largely supported his trade agenda without objection. He draws a parallel to "eunuchs around a vicious child emperor," implying a subservient and potentially damaging adherence to Trump's policies.
Hannan speculates on the political fallout for figures like J.D. Vance, whose stock he believes has plummeted due to his association with the administration. He also references Newt Gingrich's assessment that the administration's performance has left the field open for potential presidential nominees, listing Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, Ron DeSantis, Pete Hegseth, and Glenn Youngkin as possibilities.
Figures like Glenn Youngkin and Ron DeSantis are presented as potentially distancing themselves from MAGA politics. Youngkin is noted for governing Virginia conservatively, while DeSantis is recognized for his successful term as Florida governor, a state depicted as a contrast to "Trumpery" due to its cosmopolitan and open nature.
The commentary also scrutinizes Marco Rubio's role, suggesting that while he may have moderated Trump's excesses, his tenure as Secretary of State coincided with a foreign policy that turned on allies and embraced autocrats. Hannan uses Rubio's negotiation with Russians as an example of adopting "Trumpian lines."
Hannan concludes that the MAGA core, though still present, has diminished as Trump's policies have underperformed and as the wealth of his associates has grown. He argues for a political gap in the American market for a party championing limited government, the rule of law, and founding principles, expressing skepticism that either major party currently fills this role. The piece emphasizes the need for a free America for both its citizens and the rest of the world.
