The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge Keith Boag on Donald Trump -- What To Make Of Trump 2.0.
Nov 26, 2025
Keith Boag, a seasoned political journalist and former Washington correspondent, returns to dissect Donald Trump's second term. He shares insights on how Trump organizes chaos and intentionally uses institutions for personal gain. Boag examines the shift from experienced advisers to loyalists in Trump's cabinet and discusses the Justice Department's role as a political tool. They also touch on Trump's tumultuous relationship with Canada, the implications of his financial gains, and speculate on the chances of a 2028 presidential run.
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Fragmented Presidency Demands Component View
- Keith Boag sees Trump 2.0 as faster, broader and more confident but also sloppier than Trump 1.0.
- He recommends analyzing the presidency by separate components rather than trying to synthesize it all at once.
Loyalty Over Institutions
- Boag argues Trump learned to prioritize personal loyalty over institutional norms from his first term.
- He staffs defense and other agencies with loyalists to avoid internal dissent or legal pushback.
Eroding Military Legal Safeguards
- Boag highlights the removal of Judge Advocates General as a strategic weakening of military legal counsel.
- He links that shift to controversial lethal actions in the Caribbean and ally intelligence withholding.