Any presidential office has been a tradition, a diplomacy, and communication limited role. It all amused radically the moment Donald Trump came in. Like him or not, there is one thing that cannot be disputed, Trump transformed the presidency in a manner that no contemporary leader ever had.
His style was influential, outlived and even anarchy at other times, but it has transformed the definition of occupying the most senior position in America.
But how did Trump change the Presidency? We should have a closer look at the effect that will probably be examined through the generations.
A President Who Violated the Rulebook.
The majority of presidents are enclosed by conservative advisors and act in accordance with the accepted political codes. It was important to note that Trump showed at the outset that he was not concerned by how things were always done.
He wasn’t interested in:
Polished speeches
Subtle diplomacy
Quiet negotiations
Traditional media channels
Rather, he adopted open confrontation and social interaction. Trump was a rock star who turned the volume to the maximum should presidents in the past be the conductors of a well thought-out symphony.
Twitter: The New Oval Office Tool.
Prior to Trump, social media was utilized as an outreach tool in the form of a friendly announcement, campaign update, holiday greeting.
Trump made twitter a weapon of governance.
He used it to:
Announce major decisions
Attack critics and rivals
Pressure foreign leaders
Fire cabinet members
Shape the news cycle
Newsrooms rejuvenated his mail like the weather. His tweets were followed by the world leaders since one tweet had the ability to move the markets or change policy.
The president addressed millions of people directly, with no filter on, and seemingly no notice at all, the first time.
Such immediacy transformed presidential communication forever.
A Personality-Based Presidency.
Trump did not cloak himself behind the organization, he was the brand.
His presidency was based on:
His image
His instincts
His personal loyalty tests
He also erased the distinction between the office and the person occupying it. His supporters viewed him as being real. Critics called it egotism. But the effect was clear:
The presidency had become more personal than ever before.
When Trump used a speech it was not the administration talking but Trump as Trump.
Breaking Diplomatic Norms
Traditional leaders are concerned about the forging of alliances and rules of scripts in international relations. Trump upset that whole paradigm.
His international politics actions were scandalous to the establishment:
Criticizing allies of NATO publicly.
A face-to-face meeting with the Kim Jong-un of North Korea.
Retaliation by withdrawing on multinational agreements.
Tariffs should be forced to be aggressive against China.
Movement of U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Some saw bold leadership. Some of them threatened instability. Nevertheless, he demonstrated that a combination of personality could radically redefine diplomacy.
He had no fear of tearing up long policy, whether it was good or not.
The Unpolished War with the Media.
All the presidents have been criticized, but Trump made the media a campaign arena.
He also used to attack major news networks labelling them:
“Fake news”
“The enemy of the people”
He sought to create mistrust in journalism instead of keeping a professional distance. Mainstream reporting was questioned in a manner that was never witnessed before by the millions of Americans.
It was not only a confrontation with journalists, but this changed how people interacted with the truth itself.
A Firsthand Warrior in the Bureaucracy.
Contrary to a situation where numerous leaders converse in low tones with federal agencies, Trump fought them publicly. His intelligence officials, judges, and even the FBI were all in line when they acted against him.
Trump claimed that he was combating corruption and governmental excess.
His critics stated that he was on the offensive against the pillars of democratic institutions.
Either way…
There was no longer an invisibility of the government workers, now they became a political actor.
This altered the perception of the Americans about the deep state and the domestic politics of Washington.
A Populist Presidency
Trump did not provide leadership atop but at rallies.
He positioned himself as the protector of common people:
Blue-collar workers
Small-town communities
People who were disregarded by elites.
He did not rule under the carpet but instead he took the presidency to the stadiums and TV screens, talking in common tongue and touching the hearts.
His message?
Washington serves the people, and not vice versa.
This redirected the Republican Party away toward a more proletarian identity, which are still characteristic of the party.
Polarization as a Political instrument.
Division is not something new, but Trump took it to extreme levels.
He was very clear, either you were with him or you were against him.
What ensued was a divided America divided into:
Supporters Opponents
Viewed Trump as a savior of democracy Felt that he was endangering it.
Perceived institutions as rotten Perceived Trump as the uproar.
Wanted rules safeguarded against misuse Supported breaking the rules to correct the system.
Presidency was no longer about unity in the country but ideological loyalty.
Impeachments, Scandals, and Resilience.
Any of the scandals that Trump encountered would have brought previous presidencies to a close:
Russia investigation
First impeachment
COVID-19 criticism
Election disputes
Second impeachment and fallout of the Capitol riot.
But even in the face of every crisis he was the main figure in the American politics.
His poll numbers were quite consistent. His followers liked the fact that he never retreated. His critics were shocked at his political survival.
Trump was a lesson to the future politicians that it is possible to survive in scandal in case your base is loyal enough.
Another Way of Leadership in the Future.
Trump renegotiated the role of the president to Americans:
✔ Constant visibility
The president is required to be present at all times, online, on the news, on the talk.
✔ Personality wins over policy specifics.
Emotional resonance has become more significant than long term policy strategies.
✔ Readiness to deal with enemies.
The leaders are called to openly combat, not to avoid it diplomatically as among the presidents.
It has influenced even the leaders who are opposed to the style of Trump. Presidency will always be unable to be what it used to be.
Conclusion: A Long-term Change.
Trump transformed the presidency irrespective of whether one considers him as a visionary or a disrupter. He broke the rules, revised the political strategy and created a movement that has remained to prevail in American politics.
