Assessing Donald Trump's Legacy and Global Political Trends in 2026
The author argues that Donald Trump's legacy will be seen as a blotch rather than a lasting MAGA masterpiece, with few solid achievements after a decade in power. Trump's efforts at peacemaking are described as floundering, economic and trade tariff policies as faltering, alongside a tumbling personal approval rating. Traits such as a towering ego and narcissism are highlighted throughout his tenure.
The Trump era is portrayed as fleeting; the MAGA coalition is fracturing, and even a 2028 loyalist victory would likely not produce a durable successor with comparable appeal. The piece frames the Trump moment as a false dawn within broader historical cycles, warning that major upheavals are often overstated turning points.
The article also highlights the new US national security strategy as authoritarian and anti-European, which potentially threatens the transatlantic alliance's cohesion. It characterizes Putin's 2022 Ukraine invasion as a disaster for Russia, and Brexit as a chastening, instructive experience that is being reversed over time.
Emphasizing that revolutions are overrated and genuine world-changing leaders are rare, the author notes that democracy remains the globally preferred system, with hard-right parties largely staying on the fringe. There is also an expectation that successor governments may pursue reform after authoritarian leaders depart, exemplified by historical precedents following Stalin and Mao, while support for the UN and international law remains broad.
In closing, the author expresses hope that 2026 will witness no great geopolitical turning points or epic spasms, instead favoring peaceful living and the continued pursuit of knowledge and culture.
