Tom Minear: Donald Trump meets the limits of his landslide
Star athletes are copying Donald Trump’s signature dance, a sign of the goodwill for the President-elect. But Tom Minear says some Republicans have reasons to restrain his mandate.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Donald Trump’s signature dance is taking over the sporting world. From the NFL to the UFC, athletes are busting out the President-elect’s fist-pumping, hip-shimmying moves – and conservatives who have long complained about politics in sport could not be happier.
“Trump is back, America is back, and once again, it’s cool to be Republican,” boasted Scott Jennings, a former adviser to President George W. Bush.
TOTAL. MAGA. TAKEOVER. #TRUMPDANCEpic.twitter.com/TX3L9ZKoLS
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 17, 2024
The swaying sports stars are a striking sign of how Mr Trump has been normalised not only in American politics but in the culture. During his first term, it was rare for public figures to risk the backlash that came with supporting him. Now that Mr Trump is returning to power, however, his critics can no longer wave away those four years as an aberration.
The goodwill for the 78-year-old since he defeated Kamala Harris – compared to the protests that unfolded after his 2016 victory – has been bolstered by the sense that he won in a landslide. The result was indeed comprehensive: Mr Trump won the popular vote and all seven battleground states, while Republicans claimed control of both chambers of Congress.
But two events last week shed light on the limits of his victory.
Firstly, as the final ballots were counted, Mr Trump appeared set to fall below 50 per cent in the popular vote, leaving him with the third smallest margin since 1888. His spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt vented that by pointing this out, “the fake news is trying to minimise President Trump’s massive and historic victory to delegitimise his mandate”.
Secondly, despite Republicans claiming a 53-47 Senate majority, Mr Trump did not have the votes to confirm Matt Gaetz as his attorney general.
By refusing to support Mr Gaetz – who is accused of having sex with an underage girl – Republican senators themselves restricted Mr Trump’s mandate. They did so despite his aides threatening Elon Musk would finance challenges to blast them out of their seats.
Tellingly, Mr Trump was not able to rely on a bigger buffer in the Senate, because his so-called landslide did not carry Republicans to victory in four states he won.
The rejection of Mr Gaetz – and the threat to several other controversial nominees – also suggests the normalisation of Mr Trump has not totally eroded America’s political norms.
The 78-year-old gets away with antics other politicians cannot. And while he has run and won his last race, his fellow Republicans still have to face the voters, starting in two years.
More Coverage
Opinion: Teen cricket newbie Konstas proves the kids are alright
The audacity and theatre of 19yo cricketer Sam Konstas proves all is not lost when it comes to our young people.
Bach: ‘Brain rot’ has taken hold of Australia
‘Brain rot’ has been named word of the year, and right across the West, the rot has already set in. It’s time to stop the rot and talk honestly about immigration, energy policy and public finances.