Future of Trumpism in Question After Trump
America’s probable next president has transformed the Republican Party so thoroughly that it now appears unimaginable without his influence. Read the full article at RT.com
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The past week has been tumultuous in America, highlighted by the failed assassination attempt, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, and the Democrats' continuing struggles under Joe Biden—all focusing media attention almost exclusively on Donald Trump.
This intense media focus has overshadowed significant developments within the Republican Party and American politics, which may shape "Trumpism's" future after Trump's expected departure in four years.
Oren Cass, an intellectual spearheading the “New Right” and former adviser to Mitt Romney, discussed these developments in an interview on the UK platform Unheard. Cass, founder of the conservative think tank American Compass, is closely associated with J.D. Vance, who was recently chosen as Trump’s vice presidential running mate.
Cass champions the “New Right” movement, which opposes the “Old Right”—a faction he associates with libertarianism, free markets, and misguided foreign adventures.
In contrast, the "New Right," as Cass defines it, focuses on the American working class, families, and communities, adopting protectionist and isolationist foreign policies.
Despite Cass's assertions that "there is no such thing as Trumpism," his views signify a departure from traditional Republican ideology. When queried about Trump adopting a "New Right" agenda, Cass responded, "It will be a mixed bag … it remains to be seen."
Cass has clear stances against Christian nationalism and outright rejection of climate change, setting him apart from Trump's broad political approach.
Expressing skepticism about the conflict in Ukraine and critiquing NATO, Cass resonated with some of Trump’s past criticisms, stressing America's economic challenges with China.
Cass’s primary commitment is to American workers, as reflected in his endorsement of the Teamsters union's president speaking at the Republican convention. He distinguishes between "rent-seeking capitalism" and "productive capitalism," implicitly criticizing globalization while defending traditional capitalism.
Moreover, he emphasizes supporting labor and working families over capital interests, advocating for "worker power" and a minimum wage.
Critical of Big Tech and America's "woke elites," Cass notes that country clubs now predominantly host Democrats rather than Republicans.
Cass has spent years cultivating a populist ideology with intellectual depth, aiming to formalize “Trumpism.” Whether this intellectual endeavor will succeed remains uncertain.
Cass’s influence was evident at the Republican convention, where Vance declared the party the "champion of working-class Americans." However, there are discrepancies between Cass's and Vance's views, raising questions about Vance's commitment to Cass's program.
The contrast between Cass and earlier Trump advisers like Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani suggests a potential shift in "Trumpism."
The uncertainty lies in whether Trump and his inner circle will endorse a more coherent, moderate, worker-centric populism. Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican convention, marked by emotional and rambling tones, exemplifies this unpredictability.
As Cass and Vance might discover, Trump’s governance style historically disregards intellectual advice in favor of loyalists who follow his directives without question. Trump’s recent distancing from Project 2025—a think tank crafting a detailed political manifesto for him—further underscores this pattern.
It remains to be seen if Cass will secure a role in the new Trump administration and whether the inexperienced Vance will wield significant power.
Nonetheless, Trump has achieved complete control over the Republican Party. Even former opponents now endorse Trump, underscoring his dominance.
Trump’s transformation of the Republican Party into a personal fiefdom is a significant political achievement, one unlike the historic populist movements which failed to capture the Democratic Party.
Speculation about "Trumpism's" future points to a likely continuation of its current incoherent form, challenging a Democratic Party mired in ideology and lacking viable presidential candidates.
The recent assassination attempt against Trump further exposed the Democratic Party's vulnerabilities, with failures in addressing serious security lapses and ideological rigidity.
Biden's recent actions and the Democratic Party's response to internal crises have exacerbated their problems, driving even Big Tech figures like Elon Musk towards Trump.
The new Trump administration may resemble the previous one in chaos and ineffectiveness. Trump's domestic policy dreams, like revitalizing manufacturing and rejecting renewable energy, are unrealistic and may worsen economic and social issues.
Trump’s priority will likely be restructuring the electoral system, public service, judiciary, and Justice Department to consolidate control over so-called liberal institutions and retaliate against his adversaries.
"Trumpism's" real danger lies in its potential to spur social unrest and division. Cass accurately states that "Trumpism" lacks a coherent political ideology or stable governance program.
Expecting consistency from Trump misses the point—his appeal lies in disruption and chaos rather than traditional politics. "Trumpism" thrives on anti-intellectualism and rage, appealing to those marginalized by global elites and the Democratic Party.
The future of "Trumpism" seems dependent on Trump’s unique charisma, which is not easily transferrable. Cass's vision for a moderate, intellectual "Trumpism" may only gain traction post-Trump, assuming the political system remains intact enough to allow for it.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News