The Bulwark
StoreFAQ
Sign InJoin
HomeWatchNewslettersShowsChatSpecial ProjectsEventsFoundersArchiveAbout
The Triad

The #Resistance Was Right

Don’t let the moving Overton Window fool you.

Jonathan V. Last's avatar
Jonathan V. Last
August 21, 2023∙ Paid
Upgrade to listen11 minutes
609
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

1. Debate Week

I want to set the stage for debate week by going back to 2016 to see where people thought we would be after the election of Donald Trump.

You may remember that there was an argument between those who said that Trump’s elevation to the presidency was likely to create a threat to our democratic republic and those who said that Trump was nothing out of the ordinary; that the anti-Trump movement was hysterical; that he would grow in office; that the GOP would constrain him; that guardrails would ensure he couldn’t do any real damage; that the adults were in charge.

Here are some examples from January 2017:

Rich Lowry told “the media” that they should “[cover] Trump more as a ‘normal’ president rather than as a constant clear and present danger to the republic.”1

Reminder: This was before Trump incited a violent insurrection and attempted to overthrow the government.

But wait—there’s more! So much more.

Join Bulwark+ to unlock the rest🔓

Become a paying member of The Bulwark to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content. A subscription gets you:

  • Unlimited access to articles and newsletters including The Triad by JVL and Receipts by Catherine Rampell.
  • Ad-free editions of our shows (with transcripts) and member-only shows like The Secret Podcast.
  • Plus community chats and commenting features. Your support helps keep our work sustainable and available to those who cannot afford a membership. Cancel anytime.
Join
Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Sign up to get a FREE daily dose of sanity in your inbox.

The Bulwark
HomeWatchShowsChatSpecial ProjectsEventsFoundersArchiveAbout
Get the Bulwark appInstagramFacebookYouTube
© 2026 Center Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Powered by Substack.
Privacy∙Terms∙Collection notice