Solutions with Henry Blodget How Can American Politics Recover from Trump?
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Nov 17, 2025 John Harris, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Politico, shares his unique perspective on American politics post-Trump. He argues that powerful passions drive historical change, questioning the idea of a rational centrist candidate. Harris discusses the structural reasons behind America’s two-party system and why third parties struggle to thrive. He explores the future leadership of both parties, noting the need for a strong Democratic figure to unify diverse factions. With a mix of short-term pessimism and long-term optimism, he believes democracy will eventually find its way back.
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Tech-Driven Polarization Amplifies Tribalism
- Technology and media incentives have amplified psychological polarization more than past material disputes.
- A "polarization industry" profits by turning social differences into tribal conflict.
Why Two Parties Persist
- The U.S. two-party system endures because parties historically built broad coalitions and adapt.
- Structural incentives in elections and money-raising keep the two-party system dominant.
Trump As A Third-Party Movement
- Donald Trump functioned like a third-party movement by remaking the Republican Party from within.
- Parties can transform rapidly while the two-party framework remains intact.