Donald Trump’s hold on the Republican Party is unquestionable
And it is putting his acolytes into offices that control elections
Like his presidency, the after-presidency of Donald Trump is riddled with extreme contradictions. Here is a man deeply mired in investigations into a range of possible crimes—a mire it is hard to imagine any previous politician escaping. And yet he is so powerful within his party that his disapproval can sink the career of almost any elected representative who speaks out against him, no matter how unassailable their pedigree or impeccable their credentials. Two events, only eight days apart, prove the paradox.
This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline “That hideous strength”
From the August 20th 2022 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDiscover more
The Adani bribery case could upend Indian business and politics
The allegations against the corporate champion may end up being resolved diplomatically rather than in court
The war in Ukraine is straining Russia’s economy and society
Despite advances on the battlefield, pressure is growing
How many Ukrainian soldiers have died?
Three charts show the country’s losses
How will Donald Trump handle the war in Ukraine?
And how will Ukraine, Russia and Europe respond?
Elon Musk’s transformation, in his own words
Our analysis of 38,000 posts on X reveal a changed man
Elon Musk and Donald Trump seem besotted. Where is their bromance headed?
The precedents are not encouraging