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What Is Your De-Trumping Story?

HARRISBURG, PA - JANUARY 17: A cardboard effigy of President Donald Trump is lowered while people demonstrate against the president outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building on January 17, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supporters of President Trump are expected to gather at state capitol buildings throughout the nation today to protest the presidential election results and the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PA - JANUARY 17: A cardboard effigy of President Donald Trump is lowered while people demonstrate against the president outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building on January 17, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pennsyl... HARRISBURG, PA - JANUARY 17: A cardboard effigy of President Donald Trump is lowered while people demonstrate against the president outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building on January 17, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supporters of President Trump are expected to gather at state capitol buildings throughout the nation today to protest the presidential election results and the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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February 2, 2021 11:46 a.m.
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There is an understandable and wise desire not to breathe too big a sigh of relief. Most of us realize that the reality and threat of Trumpism is far from over. Indeed, there could even be another Trump presidency in four years, though I think that’s quite unlikely. I want to ask you something different: How have you experienced the end of Trump’s presidency? I mean at a basic experiential level.

As much as I have written about the centrality, power and chaotic force of Trump’s Twitter feed I was not prepared for the impact of his account being suspended in early January, a couple weeks ahead of Biden’s inauguration. It was like he just ceased to exist and I voice I’d heard – literally or figuratively – barking in my head for more than five years just went silent. From what I can tell it hit him just as powerfully. Losing his twitter megaphone seems to have undone him.

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