EDITORIAL: Trump vs. Trump
Trump hasn't been consistent on almost any of his policy positions
What does Donald Trump actually believe? His political career has been defined by contradiction, opportunism, and a knack for reinventing himself on a whim. But perhaps that question misses the point. The real issue isn’t Trump’s personal convictions (if they even exist)—it’s how his flip-flops translate into governance and affect the lives of millions.
The "Trump vs. Trump" phenomenon provides a roadmap to understanding his brand of political opportunism. By examining his sharp reversals on issues like gun control, LGBTQ rights, and abortion, it becomes clear that consistency has never been the goal. Instead, Trump’s political calculus is guided by what garners applause in the moment and solidifies his grip on his base.
Gun Control
In the wake of the 2018 Parkland shooting, Trump stunned conservatives by advocating for the confiscation of guns from dangerous individuals—even without due process. “Take the guns first, go through due process second,” he said, to the visible discomfort of then-Vice President Mike Pence. This bold declaration seemed to indicate a willingness to defy the gun lobby’s orthodoxy.
Fast forward to his speeches at NRA conventions, where Trump vowed to “roll back every Biden attack on the Second Amendment” and railed against gun control measures as an affront to American freedom. This transformation from a potential ally of moderate gun reformers to a staunch defender of the NRA’s absolutism underscores Trump’s transactional approach to politics. The shift wasn’t born of principle but of political expediency—an appeal to the base that would cheer loudest.
LGBTQ Rights
Trump’s 2016 campaign saw him adopt an almost indifferent stance on LGBTQ rights. He famously told a reporter that Caitlyn Jenner was welcome to use any bathroom she wanted at Trump Tower. At the time, his focus was on economics and trade, dismissing the North Carolina “bathroom bill” controversy as unnecessary strife.
Yet by 2024, Trump had transformed into an anti-LGBTQ firebrand, railing against “woke insanity” and pushing policies that directly target transgender individuals. Reports indicate he’s prepared to reinstate a ban on trans military service members and escalate his attacks on gender-affirming healthcare. The contrast between the 2016 Trump and the culture warrior of today isn’t merely a case of shifting priorities—it’s a calculated pivot to exploit the anxieties of his base.
Abortion
Perhaps the starkest example of Trump’s ideological malleability is his evolution on abortion. In a 1999 interview with Meet the Press, he declared himself “very pro-choice,” expressing personal distaste for abortion but affirming a belief in a woman’s right to choose. Fast forward to his presidency, and Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices who dismantled Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision protecting abortion rights for nearly half a century.
Even as Trump crowned himself the “most pro-life president in American history,” it’s hard to believe his personal views underwent a genuine transformation. His shift likely stemmed from a recognition that adopting the pro-life mantle was essential for galvanizing evangelical and conservative voters. In the end, it doesn’t matter whether Trump still privately holds pro-choice beliefs—the outcome of his governance has been devastating for reproductive rights.
The throughline in Trump’s political career is not a coherent worldview, but a fixation on grievance politics and pandering to his base. Whether it’s trans rights, gun control, or abortion, Trump has demonstrated a willingness to discard his past positions whenever it’s politically expedient. This inconsistency can seem absurd, even farcical, but the consequences are anything but.
Trump’s flip-flopping raises the stakes for his potential second term. Regardless of what he truly believes, his governance will be shaped by the demands of his most fervent supporters. Whether he is personally pro-choice or pro-LGBTQ is irrelevant when his administration actively dismantles rights and protections for those groups. The danger isn’t Trump’s inconsistency—it’s the authoritarian tendencies his governance enables.
If history is any guide, Trump’s next act will be dictated not by conviction but by the demands of his base. What that means for America remains a deeply unsettling question.
He is a lying, deceitful, cheat and totally unworthy of being President.
No matter how intelligent we are, it is a very stupid thing to prognosticate Trump's reign with quips such as "four years," "guardrails," "congress has the power," "unconstitutional," etc. "We'll have to wait and see" is fear and resignation. Following on Liz Cheney, we are in a dictatorship, question is when will the smart people wake up? The only hope is for us to band together and fight like hell.