The Futility of Arguing About Trump

After ten years, there’s little worth saying about Trump’s character — but much still to be said about policies and results.

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President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 11, 2026.

Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

Idon’t spend much time these days arguing about Donald Trump. It’s futile and boring. It may be worth explaining why this is, and the philosophical choice it reflects.

It’s not that I never write about Trump: I do, quite a lot. He is nearly the only figure in American national politics who matters right now, given how ossified Congress has become, how little the Democrats have to offer beyond reacting to Trump, and how difficult it is for any Republican to build a national profile without his favor.

Dan McLaughlin

About the Author

Dan McLaughlin

Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer at National Review Online and a fellow at National Review Institute.

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