New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie argues that President Donald Trump is more of a ‘normie Republican’ than both his supporters and critics may believe. In his op-ed titled ‘Face It. Trump Is a Normie Republican,’ Bouie posits that Trump’s governance style and policies mirror traditional Republican approaches, including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which primarily benefited the wealthy. Bouie also notes that Trump’s recent Iran strike echoes Republican foreign policy strategies, linking it to previous figures like George W. Bush and John McCain. Despite Trump’s unique rhetoric, Bouie suggests that his policies align with standard Republican practices, reinforcing the idea that Trump is a typical Republican leader.
The article highlights that Trump’s actions, such as the tax cuts and the Iran strike, reflect the broader Republican strategy, even if they are framed through populist rhetoric. Bouie argues that these measures are not as unprecedented as they may seem, placing Trump within the continuum of Republican leadership. The columnist emphasizes that while Trump’s leadership is distinct in its communication and style, his governance is conventional in its execution and outcome, supporting the notion that he is a ‘normie Republican.’
Bouie’s analysis also touches on the domestic aspects of Trump’s administration, drawing parallels to a hypothetical third term for George W. Bush, suggesting that the Trump presidency has followed similar patterns in handling domestic issues and crises. The piece concludes by suggesting that many of the challenges facing the Trump administration are a result of the president’s specific authoritarian vision, but for the most part, they are the predictable outcomes of electing a Republican to the White House.