Last year Donald Trump was swept to victory on a wave of dissatisfaction with the status quo. America cast its verdict on rising prices, uncontrolled immigration and a governing elite that seemed out of touch with their lives and hostile to their values.
On both sides of the Atlantic, polite opinion has it that Trump was elected by the mindless MAGA faithful, but this is a delusion. Yes, he has his true believers but not enough of them to carry him over the line.
Weary of rising living costs, nearly every demographic group swung towards him. Many were simply sick of the system and others decided that even if he was a pretty unappealing character, he couldn’t be any worse than the other lot.
My polling suggests these reluctant Trumpers make up about one in seven of his 2024 vote. Without them, we would all be getting used to President Harris.
What have they got to show for the deal they made with themselves and with him?
