Why does Jonathan Chait say Trump's populist message is failing in his second term?

Jonathan Chait argues that populism is hard to sustain from a position of power. In his first term, Donald Trump was often blocked and could blame the deep state, Republican rivals and the courts. In his second term he has overcome far more opposition, so he cannot credibly pose as the victim of shadowy forces while broadcasting that he controls everything.

• Chait says Trump has been determined not to repeat the frustrations of his first term.
• The success of the second term is exactly what removes the victim narrative populism depends on.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Today, Explained (2026-11-03). Read the whole episode summary →

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