Donald Trump’s return to the White House for his second presidential term unfolded as a spectacle described by many as "American political theatre on steroids." The inauguration, held amidst much fanfare, drew a diverse crowd, including individuals who had purchased their way into the event, eager to curry favor with the returning president. This grand occasion underscored Trump’s enduring influence in American politics and his tight grip on the nation’s judiciary.
The event showcased the evolving dynamic of US governance, where the separation of powers between the president, Congress, and the courts remains a foundational principle. Yet, Trump continues to consolidate power, mirrored by his influence over the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's majority opinion that a president possesses absolute immunity for any official acts further highlights this shift in power dynamics. Trump’s style of governance places him at the center of a presidential court, echoing a monarchical model reminiscent of bygone eras.
The historian Bernard Bailyn once noted that the fear of perverted constitutional balance drove the American Revolution against George III. Today, Trump’s rise and return reflect an era where the US is increasingly governed by courts, creating a parallel to historical royal courts. The historian Arthur Schlesinger referred to this phenomenon as the "imperial presidency," a concept that emerged post-Vietnam War. George Washington might have recognized the political system surrounding Trump as akin to the kingly governance he once opposed.
The duc de Saint-Simon, in his memoirs, described how royal courts operated with fixed formalities, much like the predictable nature of Trump’s court. In such settings, power was concentrated, decisions were made, rivalries emerged, and lives were impacted, akin to the Tudor times. Despite these shifts, the United States remains a constitutional democracy committed to its founding principles.
The historian Prof David Runciman has wagered on the continuity of this democratic process, betting on a US presidential election taking place on Tuesday 8 November 2072. Although his confidence in this prediction remains, it is perhaps more tenuous in light of recent political developments.