John Ganz: Trump’s Coalition of the Aggrieved

The political landscape of the Trump era mirrors the right-wing populism that emerged in the early 1990s, characterized by a rejection of institutional norms and a reliance on bombastic, media-savvy figures. John Ganz, author of *When the Clock Broke*, identifies Donald Trump’s governing style as defined by personal whims and a lack of systemic understanding, rather than coherent ideology. Figures like J.D. Vance utilize the philosophical framework of René Girard—specifically the concept of mimetic rivalry—to justify a worldview centered on scapegoating and competitive power dynamics. Democratic Party challenges include balancing the need to reach alienated voters with the requirement for stable, competent governance. Ultimately, the emergence of "jock" and "creep" archetypes within the current administration underscores a fundamental shift toward an aggressive, personality-driven form of American politics that prioritizes spectacle over traditional policy-making.