Twenty years after Ronald Reagan was demonized, Democrats found a strange new respect for the man. Reagan, they said, was at least reasonable. You could have a conversation with the guy.
But this George W. Bush crew…
Twenty years after Bush was demonized, Democrats have found a strange new respect for the man. Bush, they say, might’ve made some mistakes. But at least he respected our norms and institutions.
But this Trump crew…
It won’t take 20 years for the Democrats to find a strange new respect for Donald Trump. By the time Bush and Reagan were praised by Democrats, they were dead. One literally, the other figuratively, relegated to do his little paintings in exile, like Napoleon doing arts and crafts on Elba.
Trump’s movement will outlive him. With JD Vance’s performance on the debate stage against Tim Walz, the seeds of MAGA 2.0 were planted. It’s not just one man anymore. And after Trump, they won’t get more agreeable.
The media miss Trump already and long for his return. Trump’s presence made stars out of reporters like Maggie Haberman and Jim Acosta. Neither has done a thing since Trump left the big chair. Turns out the material made the reporter, not the other way around.
There are no star journalists right now in D.C., and there haven’t been for years now. Where are the books? Where are the scoops? Who’s doing great work? Journalists who write like the press office will someday be relegated to the press office.
The Democrats will miss Trump too.
When he was cornered in a 3-on-1 debate against Harris, he stayed cornered. He got rattled and stayed rattled. With the most important election of our lives looming, Trump used the first debate with Biden to talk about golf handicaps and the second debate with Harris to talk crowd sizes. He’s not the most focused guy.
Vance is laser-focused. Vivek would be laser-focused. DeSantis would be laser-focused.
Before the media hated Trump, it loved him. He always feels he’s a smart remark or a granted interview away from bringing back the good old days. He doesn’t get that they hate him because they must. He won without anyone’s permission. This is a sin most unforgivable.
Vance comes in knowing that the media is not his friend. It can be useful, and it can be manipulated. But it can never cheer for him, and will not. He does not hold out that hope.
If Trump is given to a self-indulgence born from a life of wealth and an adult life of fame, Vance speaks with a timer in his head. Trump has every reason to believe you’re there for him. Vance knows you’re there to learn what he can do for you.
There would be no Vance without Trump, but when Trump runs out of gas, Vance can take the baton further and faster.
The choice of a running mate is a test of judgment. But in Trump’s case, it was also assassination insurance.
Trump’s life has never been more secure than after America got a glimpse of the man who would be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Vance is young, he’s talented, and he’s here to make policy, not friends in the media.
Trump knows it better than anyone: Democrats might not like him right now. They might even claim to hate him. But they couldn’t live with JD Vance in charge. He’s the devil they don’t know. The talent he showed at his coming-out party was terrifying.
Democrats will miss Donald Trump when he’s gone. But they’d never admit that.
James David Dickson is host of the Enjoyer Podcast. Join him in conversation on X @downi75.
