The GOP Post-Trump

Whether it's Wednesday or in 2029, the Republican Party must contend with what comes next.

Regardless of the results from this farcical election, the Republican Party will eventually have to contend with a post-Trump reality. And based on what we've seen, they are collectively unprepared for that. 

There is much talk about Trumpism and its long-lasting effects. Will it continue on, barely skipping a beat, after Donald Trump's national political career is over? Will it fade away entirely or morph into a 2.0 version that heavily resembles its predecessor? No matter which future is ahead, something is bound to linger. The question isn't so much what will that product look like as it is what will the GOP do with what they're given, when the reins are finally passed. 

It's hard to believe, but Donald Trump has been a major political force for nearly a decade. The unlikely newcomer propelled himself from political longshot as he rode down that escalator in June 2015 to an unstoppable, unapologetic force, the likes of which modern culture has not seen. We are unlikely to see his equal any time in the near or even distant future. His unconventional style resonated with regular Americans in a way that made them feel seen for the first time in a while. His brand pushed back against growing leftism, and Republican voters felt they finally had someone in their corner, advocating and watching out for them. His coarse, self-possessed manner meant the normal boundaries set for politicians could not contain him. While others may have wilted under the pressure and expectations, he was - and is - emboldened. In January 2016, then-candidate Trump said, at a campaign stop, "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK? It's, like, incredible." The statement was shocking then. Even now, almost nine years later, it still seems unreal. But Trump knew what he had captured. That same grip continues. Even in the 2024 election cycle, with all the history that has passed, he remains untouchable. It's nothing that can be taught or purchased. Trump has it. And no one else does.

So, what does the party do with it? That indefinable factor is something you build on, not throw away. Right?

The current GOP contains the MAGA proud, your standard Republican whose loyalty will never waver (even if they themselves are not extreme), and the disgruntled, who are clinging with their last ounce of energy to the party they once knew. This election cycle has been a good distraction from the elephant (pun intended) in the room. Eventually, the party has to change and shed some of its ranks. That will only happen when and if members can sense a shift in a clear direction. And that decision can only be made when Donald Trump's reign as leader of the party is over. 

First, the Republican Party must decide what it stands for and how conservative it actually is. To be sure, conservatives number among the ranks of the GOP. But whether or not the party as a collective unit embraces conservative ideals is another thing entirely. For example, some Republicans support abortion. Meanwhile, conservatism is such that it outright rejects abortion. If you claim conservatism and support abortion, you're clearly confused about the definition of either the former or latter. On the campaign trail, Trump has openly welcomed RFK, Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. Both have been outspoken against leftism and their colleagues within the Democratic Party. The right has excitedly embraced them for no other reason than they "own the Libs." But that is not enough to expand the tent. The Republican Party tent is capable of containing a diverse array of ideas and opinions. But inviting those who do one right thing, criticize Democrats, while not embracing conservatism isn't positive change. It actually does much harm in both the short-term and long-term. 

Second, the Republican Party must decide if insult politicking and lying are the new normal. As it stands, based on the last several years, this is the default setting for the party. A switch was flipped when Trump became the de facto leader - even before he was in office - and rules have been thrown out the window. This is called "owning the Libs" to the party faithful, and it's not only applauded, but encouraged. Politics have always been an ugly game with plenty of mudslinging, story planting, and public arguments between childish adults. But this current brand is morally repugnant to such a degree that it is embarrassing to watch. This kind of behavior is not the kind we want to encourage our children to emulate. And yet, we see it not only from national political leaders but their promoters and even your average citizen voter. This is not an evolution, it's a regression. Unfortunately, the decline of these social mores is directly connected to Donald Trump's triumphant victory against Hillary Clinton in 2016. It's viewed as good. "If the left plays dirty, so should we!" But reducing ourselves to our ideological enemies and wallowing in the mud with them isn't winning at anything. It's reverting to tactics favored by the schoolyard bullies. The GOP has no interest in the high road any longer. 

These aren't the only issues facing the GOP, but they are two of the main ones. 

There's simply no way that a post-Trump Republican Party will be free of him and his legacy. Trumpism will not cease to exist once he is done with his political career, whether that be right around the corner or after a few more years in Washington, D.C. This is the reality of the situation. This does not mean conservatives should give up trying to regain the party from the hordes of populists who have overtaken it. This also does not mean it will ever return to resemble the pre-Trump years. But none of these scenarios mean those who cling to conservatism instead of a cult of personality should stop working toward that goal. It may never be realized, either fully or in part, but it's worth the effort. Because if there is one thing we know, it's this: there is no home for us on the Left. This is why improving our own house matters so much.

Despite the feeling at every election, the victors are not going to stay in power forever. The political majority changes hands again and again. What is less certain is how much the Donald Trump Effect will continue in a party that has made him the new standard for Republicans going forward. It's true that no one can duplicate his brand. But the allure of victory and receipt of party loyalty is such that Trumpism is far more enticing to current and future GOP politicians than it has any right to be. 

Kimberly Ross is a freelance opinion writer who has written political and cultural commentary since 2015. She has bylines at The Federalist, USA Today, The Bulwark, Arc Digital, and ACN Ireland, among others. She was a senior contributor at RedState from 2015-2019. She has been a contributor to Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential Blog since 2018 and frequently appears in Washington Examiner magazine. She is co-host of The Right Thoughts Podcast. She holds a BA in History with graduate work in political science. She lives with her husband and two energetic sons in the Southern United States. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @SouthernKeeks.