First it was Tik Tok, saved by Trump after he had advocated banning it. Then there was TACO time on tariffs. Now we have a U-turn on illegal immigrants in agriculture and hotels. How should we react to these wild changes in position?
Ross Douthat would say that Trump’s flexibility on tactics is one of his greatest assets. In reality, making sudden U-turns puts the president at the center of the discussion and reminds you that he is the boss. Capriciousness is his point, because it projects strength and enforces humility in others; that’s good news for him, but not for anyone else.