Why Canada’s Top Diplomat in Washington Isn’t Sweating Trump’s Tough Talk
Donald Trump loves to flaunt his deal-making prowess. For allies, this often feels less like diplomacy and more like a high-stakes negotiation. Recently, Canada has found itself in Trump’s crosshairs, with the president-elect openly challenging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on…
The Black Swan Election Inside Trump’s Unlikely Victory
Earlier this month, at Harvard’s Institute of Politics during the quadrennial campaign managers’ conference, I spent nearly an hour with two of the key architects behind Donald Trump’s stunning presidential victory: co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita and chief pollster Tony Fabrizio….
The Year of Exceptionalism: Donald Trump’s Unprecedented Legal Journey
2024 has been a year like no other, packed with seismic headlines and historical moments. The conviction of Donald Trump, an assassination attempt weeks later, and the unexpected collapse of Joe Biden’s reelection bid—followed by the brief ascendancy of Kamala…
Here are the GOP Senators Best Positioned to Challenge Trump
President-elect Donald Trump’s swift cabinet appointments have sent a clear message: loyalty to Trump himself and a knack for showcasing that loyalty on national television are the ultimate qualifications. But the real drama will unfold as Senate Republicans decide how…
Trump’s Cabinet Gambit: How History and Power Favor His Picks
Donald Trump’s recent Cabinet choices have left many aghast, but history suggests the former president may be on solid political ground in nominating some of the most controversial and unqualified individuals ever proposed for high office. Understanding why requires revisiting…
Why Matt Gaetz Might Actually Become Attorney General
Gaetz won’t get confirmed; everybody knows that, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday, echoing a sentiment shared across Washington after President-elect Donald Trump’s bombshell nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general. The announcement drew reactions ranging from disbelief to…
Can Trump Be the New Reagan?
Eight years ago, I watched Donald Trump’s first presidential victory unfold during a breakfast gathering with European policymakers at POLITICO’s Brussels office. The reaction that morning was a mix of shock and disbelief. Fast forward to today, and while anxiety…
The Master Strategist: Susie Wiles’ Quiet Ascent to Trump’s Inner Circle
On Thursday evening, news broke that Susie Wiles had been appointed as Donald Trump’s White House chief of staff—a move that felt inevitable to those familiar with her trajectory, yet surprising to many who had never heard her name. To…
How Foreign Leaders Should Prepare for a Second Trump Term
As Donald Trump edges closer to a potential return to the White House, foreign leaders—especially those on the center-left—are bracing for the political and diplomatic turbulence his presidency could unleash. Trade wars, erratic exchanges, and a recalibrated global order are…
Betrayed by Harris, but Trump Would Be Catastrophic
Over the past year, we’ve watched in anguish as Gaza endures unimaginable suffering, exacerbated by the unwavering support of the American government for Israel’s actions. With the U.S. election just days away, the stakes are impossibly high — teetering between…
If Republicans Want to Win, They Need Trump to Lose Big
In 1984, Walter Mondale boldly told the truth about the tough choices facing America, acknowledging that both he and Ronald Reagan would have to raise taxes to tackle the national deficit. As we enter the final stretch of another presidential…
Inside the Democratic Reboot: Joy, Hope, and Fear
The political landscape shifted dramatically in just one week, leaving both parties grappling with seismic changes and renewed purpose. For Democrats, the moment of reckoning came on Sunday when President Joe Biden finally bowed out of the 2024 race, relinquishing…