On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Is Trumpism what you think it is?
Nov 5, 2025
Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, explores Trumpism through the lens of 'patrimonialism.' He contrasts it with authoritarianism and discusses how personal loyalty has overtaken institutional integrity. Stephen Hansen, a government professor at William & Mary, ties Trumpism to a deep-seated distrust of bureaucratic expertise, highlighting its gradual impact on democratic norms. Donald Kettle, former dean at the University of Maryland, distinguishes between Trump as a leader and the broader grassroots movement, tracing its roots to economic grievances and the pandemic.
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Patrimonialism Explains Trump's Governance
- Jonathan Rauch calls Trump's system 'patrimonialism', where government is run like the leader's personal property.
- He argues the president becomes the policy and replaces independent officials with loyalists, undermining institutions.
Personal Loyalty Replaces Institutions
- Rauch compares patrimonial rule to mafia and cults to show its personal-loyalty logic.
- He uses The Godfather image: people come to the leader instead of institutions for favors.
Leader's Motives vs. Ideologues' Long Game
- Rauch distinguishes Trump's personal patrimonialism from ideological projects like Project 2025.
- He says Trump personally seeks control and perks, while ideologues aim to institutionalize enhanced presidential power.
