Example Image
Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
Dec 3, 2024
Contributors
G. Dirk Mateer

The Apprentice Is Back, and This Time He Means Business

Contributors
G. Dirk Mateer
G. Dirk Mateer
Senior Fellow
G. Dirk Mateer
Summary
Donald Trump has an opportunity to rewrite the story of his first term —  and he is a risk-taker at heart.
Summary
Donald Trump has an opportunity to rewrite the story of his first term —  and he is a risk-taker at heart.
Listen to this article

During his first term, Donald Trump was an apprentice, a novice politician who had a lot to learn about the inner workings of the federal government. Trump’s term can best be described as unremarkable, with a naïve and undisciplined President Trump wasting this opportunity to lead the country and achieve his stated goals. He paid for his failings, and in 2020, “We the People” said “you’re fired.” That is usually the end of a political career, but Donald Trump is not a typical politician. He soldiered on, and despite a myriad of attempts to derail his 2024 campaign, he never succumbed. While most people don’t get second chances in life, Donald Trump defied the odds.

Based on his first presidency, Trump is ranked 41st by presidential historians. The next four years are a unique opportunity for him to change the narrative, and not be remembered like other one-term presidents who have fared poorly in the rankings because they have few notable accomplishments.

Trump has surely thought about his legacy. He now has the option of being able to rewrite the previous judgements of historians. Should Donald Trump successfully enact his working agenda, it is likely that he will go down in American history as one of the most impactful and important presidents. His success or failure could dramatically affect us all.

Continue reading the entire piece here at RealClearMarkets

Dirk Mateer is a senior fellow at the Civitas Institute, and the director of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics program at the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also professor of instruction in UT Austin's Department of Economics.

10:13
1x
10:13
More articles

The Causal Effect of News on Inflation Expectations

Economic Dynamism
Aug 22, 2025

Can Tariffs Replace Income Taxes?

Economic Dynamism
Aug 22, 2025
View all

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025
Who's That Knocking? A Study of the Strategic Choices Facing Large-Scale Grassroots Canvassing Efforts

Although there is a consensus that personalized forms of campaign outreach are more likely to be effective at either mobilizing or even persuading voters, there remains uncertainty about how campaigns should implement get-out-the-vote (GOTV) programs, especially at a truly expansive scale.

Grant Ferguson, James Gimpel, Mark Owens, Daron Shaw
Politics
Dec 13, 2024
National Poll from Civitas Institute: Trump Victory Driven by Voters Who Reject Status Quo

The poll asked 1,200 Americans an array of questions about how things are going in America.

Daron Shaw
Politics
Dec 11, 2024

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items
DC and LA Failures Play Into Trump’s Hands

Although clearly violating America’s long-standing federalist principles, Trump’s incursions are being justified by the incompetence of most blue-city leaders.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Aug 14, 2025
Climate Lawyers Try a New Approach

Heatstroke killed Julie Leon on a 108-degree day. A lawsuit blames oil companies.

Michael Toth
Politics
Aug 11, 2025
Reading the New Conservatives

Richard Reinsch reviews The New Conservatives by Oren Cass.

Richard M. Reinsch II
Politics
Jul 31, 2025
The Specter of Chaos in New York

Could a Mayor Mamdani keep the city safe during Luigi Mangione’s trial?

Michael Toth
Politics
Jul 30, 2025

Kotkin: Non-Aligned Nations Navigating a Multipolar World

Politics
Aug 19, 2025
1:05

Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Takes On the Conservative Judiciary

Politics
Jun 2, 2025
1:05

Trump’s Drug Pricing Plan: Consequences for Innovation and Patient Access

Politics
May 13, 2025
1:05

John Yoo: The DOJ Is Being ‘Tricky’ but They May Be Right

Politics
Mar 18, 2025
1:05

John Yoo: How Will Trump Try to ‘Redirect’ the Justice Department Toward ‘Public Order and Safety’?

Politics
Mar 14, 2025
1:05
No items found.
No items found.
Chicago: The First Domino to Fall?

The Windy City is put on shaky financial ground.

Thomas Savidge
Politics
Aug 14, 2025
The Truth That Frank Meyer Knew

Brian Anderson reviews The Man Who Invented Conservatism, Daniel Flynn's new biography of Frank Meyer.

Brian C. Anderson
Politics
Aug 13, 2025
Rise of the Silicon Valley Patriots?

Is forging a robust collaboration between Silicon Valley and the federal government necessary to defeat America’s enemies in the future?

Richard M. Reinsch II
Politics
Aug 12, 2025
Is Trump Completing Nixon's Aborted Second Term?

Trump is emulating Nixon by attempting to gain control of the executive branch and tame the Administrative State.

Steven F. Hayward
Politics
Aug 11, 2025
No items found.