How Trump's post-presidential Twitter feed could shape the future of the Republican Party



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President Trump has gotten back the Republican Party in his own image, but the party will survive in its current form, or get back again.

American presidents traditionally dominate their own parties while in power, but their ability to shape the future of their party varies greatly. When Ronald Reagan sought the presidency in 1980, it was not a Dwight D. Eisenhower or Richard Nixon Republican, but as a small conservative government. For decades after he left power, even after death, Republicans would try to portray themselves as Reaganites.

In contrast, George W. Bush was supremely popular among Republicans, achieving a remarkable 99% approval rating in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. But by 2008, GOP candidates were starting to distance themselves, and in 2016 Trump won the nomination by running a blistering campaign against much of the Bush legacy. You do not hear many politicians describe themselves as "Bush Republicans" these days.

So, in which direction will the party go after Trump? Will future Republican candidates try to imitate his political style brash? Will they embrace his populist approach on trade and immigration? Or will they, as some have speculated, treat the trump era of some kind of fever and run away, far, away from him?

A lot of this, of course, depends on his electoral performance. Getting reelected and having a successful second term would have significantly different implications for having a second world.

Moreover, even if potential successors want to follow Trump, it would be really difficult to replicate his appeal. His celebrity long predated his political career, and his bombastic style is unique. Moreover, unlike Reagan, who had a clear ideological legacy that could be applied across generations (low taxes, social conservatism, "peace through strength"), Trump's views are an eclectic blend of various impulses. His appeal is heavily about attitude.

But let's just say that Trump loses in a landslide in 2020, and the Republican powers that are eager to leave him in the rearview mirror. One thing will guarantee that he will dominate in Republican politics and will make it much better than usual for the future.

Trump was an active Twitter user before running for president, throughout his campaign, and during his presidency. He has used the forum to generate controversy and lambaste his critics. There is no reason to believe that it will not be possible to believe that it will not be possible to do so, but that it will be more important to let you know it. Trump is 73 years old – his mother lived until 88 and his father until 93. It's quite possible that he could be tweeting for a very long time.

It 's easy to see how Trump' s Twitter feed can help ensure that it 's still going strong, especially given that it' s going to matter next November.

Just imagine the following scenario: During a future Republican presidential primary battle, Trump fires off a series of controversial tweets on the news of the day. Democrats, and the media, line up to attack Trump for spreading hate. How do Republican candidates respond?

Trump when asked, once again tying themselves to him. Alternatively, they could try to criticize him in an effort to create distance. But doing so would only alienate Trump voters – a segment of the party that any candidate would have to win at least to win a nomination. And the famously thin-skinned Republican candidate who criticizes him as weak and a loser.

Republicans may try to dismiss the inevitable questions about Trump and his legacy from the media, but they will be inevitable. Trump has a knack for injecting himself into the conversation, and his running commentary will be hard to ignore.

Future Republican Candidates may not be covert Trump's endorsement, but they will certainly fear his / her endorsement. This will be the limit to which they will be willing to distance themselves from Trump, and that could shape the direction of the party.

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