Steven Beschloss argued that none of what’s happening should come as a surprise. Tanks in the streets, the Department of War, billionaires cozying up to a convicted felon — all of it was promised in advance. “This all is so alarming, because it was so knowable.” Republican fecklessness was expected, but the shock came from “how many billionaires, how many companies, how many universities” chose complicity. That surrender has been the most disappointing part of this descent.
Public opinion reflects the same disillusionment. Polls show a majority of Americans say they’re embarrassed Donald Trump is their president, and he has worse numbers than any president since the question was first asked in the Clinton years. Joe Trippi summed it up: “It’s almost like at that point, it’s almost driving him faster.” Trump leans harder on authoritarian measures as his support collapses. The lower he falls, the more extreme his actions become — from threats against Chicago to normalizing troops at ballot boxes.
