The Most Powerful Political Figure in American History

There is no question about it–Donald Trump is the single most powerful person in American political history. No one has ever had the ability to control a political party like Trump, as legislators in Indiana who opposed redistricting and now Bill Cassidy have found out. And Cassidy only finished third in the Louisiana primary, it wasn’t even like he had meaningful support from voters. FDR tried to extend this kind of power in the 1938 primaries and he was absolutely crushed. No one else even comes close. Lincoln wasn’t even the most popular Republican for his entire presidency, except maybe the last week. Theodore Roosevelt wanted it, but the Republican Party flat out rejected him in 1912, leading to his third party campaign. Reagan doesn’t even hold a candle here, neither does LBJ.

Nope, Trump broke the system because never before have base voters been happier with a president and more willing to do what he wants than Republicans with Donald Trump. So throwing taxpayer money away to pay off far-right terrorists who tried to engage in a coup for him? Absolutely. The war in Iran? Who cares. And primaries? We will do whatever you want Herr Trump.

Of course Trump is also tremendously polarizing and so his upside has limitations. But no one, and it’s not even close, has ever dominated a political party like Donald Trump. The implications for the nation are enormous and will last long beyond his death.