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"Ready or Not, Here He Comes: Some Thoughts on the Second Trump Administration"

By Edward P. Freeland, PhD, Survey Research Center - Princeton University, published on January 21, 2025 on the Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA teacher-researcher blog.

 

Read the article on the blog

At a glance

Date

February 03, 2025

In this article, Edward P. Freeland analyzes Donald Trump's re-election in 2024, pointing out that, despite an apparent populist wave, his victory came down to a narrow margin of 230,000 votes in three key states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. This figure represents less than 0.2% of the 152 million votes cast, illustrating a deeply divided nation.

 

The author identifies three major factors likely to limit the implementation of Trump's agenda:
 

  • Institutional constraints: The checks and balances of the American political system, such as Congress and the judiciary, could hamper some of the administration's initiatives.
  • Economic challenges: The current economic situation, marked by challenges such as inflation and inequality, could complicate the fulfillment of campaign promises.
  • Public opinion: A polarized population and active opposition movements could limit support.