Trump’s enduring influence reshapes the GOP

Donald Trump’s influence on the Republican Party was on full display at the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The convention showcased the party’s shift from traditional conservatism to a populist, Trump-centric ideology known as “MAGA.”

While backstage earlier, Donald Trump signed the official Republican nomination paperwork, a person familiar confirms.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 19, 2024

Eight years ago, when Trump first secured the Republican nomination, many in the party were resistant to his takeover. Ted Cruz, then a senator from Texas, refused to endorse Trump in his convention speech.

It looks like they are preparing to drop red, white, blue — and gold — balloons after Trump addresses the GOP convention tonight. pic.twitter.com/IGfoxvD8ST

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 18, 2024

Fast forward to 2024, and Cruz opened his remarks by saying, “God bless Donald J. Trump.”

The last time Republicans had a presidential nominee other than Trump was 2012.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 19, 2024

Other former critics, like Nikki Haley, who had previously opposed Trump’s isolationist foreign policy, showed complete deference to the former president. The Republican platform has been reshaped in Trump’s image, even adopting his unique style of capitalization. Trump’s family members have also taken on prominent roles within the party. His daughter-in-law is now the co-chair of the Republican Party, and his son played a key role in selecting Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Trump’s impact on the GOP

The choice of Vance as Trump’s running mate suggests that Trumpism, or “MAGA,” will outlast Trump himself. Vance represents a new counterestablishment within the party, one that has helped shape and solidify Trump’s legacy. This counterestablishment differs from the populist counterculture that initially supported Trump. While the counterculture was more focused on protest and performance, the counterestablishment aims to win elections and staff government agencies with like-minded individuals who can carry out a shared policy agenda. The Republican Party’s transformation under Trump marks a significant departure from its previous identity, which was defined by free market ideology and neoconservative foreign policy for a generation. From Ronald Reagan through the Bush family to Mitt Romney, mainstream conservatism pursued a narrow agenda of tax cuts, entitlement reforms, and foreign wars. Trump’s election in 2016 broke that mold, but it was unclear whether his influence would endure beyond his presidency. The 2024 Republican National Convention has made it clear that Trump’s impact on the party is lasting, and the GOP has been fundamentally changed by his leadership.