The Most Surprising Miscalculation of Trump's Second Term

[applegrove]

The Most Surprising Miscalculation of Trump’s Second Term

June 20, 2026 at 6:29 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 27 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2026/06/20/the-most-surprising-miscalculation-of-trumps-second-term/

Alexander Burns: “A decade ago, Trump waged his first-ever political campaign as a nationalist crusader, demanding harder borders and more muscular American sovereignty. When the United Kingdom held its 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union — the 10-year anniversary is in a few days — Trump cheered it on and crowned himself ‘Mr. Brexit.'”

“In his second term, Trump’s grasp of nationalist politics has slipped. He has underestimated the power of patriotism and national pride in countries other than his own.”

“This serial miscalculation has undermined Trump’s trade wars and military adventures, aggravated the cost-of-living crisis, weakened the Republican Party and battered Trump’s bonds with the global right.”