Political analyst says Trump's power is waning despite holding the office
Ian Bremmer argues the president's ability to shape policy is shrinking due to congressional opposition and the awareness of his limited remaining term.
By Fatima Saleh ·
Political scientist Ian Bremmer argues that Donald Trump is losing the ability to dominate the political agenda, even though he retains the formal powers of the presidency. Bremmer, who founded Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, states that the United States has entered a new phase where the president's authority is increasingly constrained.
The assessment follows what Bremmer describes as the most consequential electoral reversal for a governing party in more than 50 years. He points to a sharp turnaround in American politics, noting that Trump engineered the biggest political comeback in history in 2024. According to Bremmer, the governing party then suffered its biggest loss in half a century just two years later.
Bremmer distinguishes between institutional authority and political influence. While Trump remains commander-in-chief and commands significant media attention, Bremmer contends that the president's ability to convert those advantages into effective outcomes is diminishing. He cites congressional opposition, discontent within the Republican party, and unpopular foreign policy decisions as factors limiting the administration's reach.
The shift affects how foreign nations interact with Washington. Bremmer observes that international leaders are adjusting their strategic calculations to account for the president's limited political horizon. He asserts that these leaders understand Trump is only serving for two more years before leaving office. Consequently, many are beginning to engage more with the future administration they expect to deal with after the current term ends.
Domestic forces are also driving this change. Bremmer identifies economic disillusionment and unfulfilled electoral promises as key factors undermining the coalition that returned Trump to the White House. He suggests that accusations of political self-interest have further eroded the base of support that propelled the president's return to power.
Bremmer notes that the president's focus on monumental projects and personal legacy creates a disconnect between political spectacle and governance. He argues this preoccupation contributes to the gradual loss of political authority necessary to shape the country's future. The process of diminishing influence is, in his view, already underway.
Despite the formal powers of the office, Bremmer concludes that the level of disruption on the global stage will be lower than at the beginning of the term. He maintains that while there are two years remaining in the current administration, the capacity to drive major changes is fading.
