Is Trumpism what you think it is?

Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, explores Trumpism through the lens of 'patrimonialism.' He contrasts it with authoritarianism and discusses how personal loyalty has overtaken institutional integrity. Stephen Hansen, a government professor at William & Mary, ties Trumpism to a deep-seated distrust of bureaucratic expertise, highlighting its gradual impact on democratic norms. Donald Kettle, former dean at the University of Maryland, distinguishes between Trump as a leader and the broader grassroots movement, tracing its roots to economic grievances and the pandemic.