Trump’s Whole Theory of Power Is in Ruins

POLITICO · Alexander Burns · 2026-11-04 10:55 UTC

More than any American president, Trump has used fear as a central tool of policymaking. He doesn’t look so fearsome today.

More than any American president, Trump has used fear as a central tool of policymaking. He doesn’t look so fearsome today.

President Donald Trump salutes a U.S. Marine as he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Oct. 23, 2026. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Alexander Burns is POLITICO's senior executive editor, North America. He was previously POLITICO's head of news. He has covered elections and political power across the U.S. for over a decade and co-wrote a best-selling book about Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

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