The Ordinary Presidency of Donald J. Trump [Paperback]

The presidency of Donald J. Trump is rather ordinary. Trump himself may be the most unusual, unorthodox and unconventional president the US has ever had. Yet, even with his extraordinary personality and approach to the job, his presidency is proving quite ordinary in its accomplishments and outcomes, both at home and abroad. Like most modern US presidents, the number and scope of Trumps achievements are rather meager. Despite dramatic claims to a revolution in US politics, Trump simply has not achieved very much. Trumps few policy achievements are also mostly mainstream Republican ones rather than the radical, anti-establishment, swamp-draining changes promised on the campaign trail. The populist insurgent who ran against Washington has followed a policy agenda largely in tune with conservative Republican traditions. The Ordinary Presidency of Donald J. Trump provides a detailed explanation for the discrepancy between Trumps extraordinary approach and the relative mediocrity of his achievements. Ironically, it is precisely Trumps extraordinariness as president that has helped render his presidency ordinary. 

1. Introduction: The Ordinary Presidency of the Extraordinary Donald J. Trump.- 2. A Trump Revolution?.- 3. Trumps Electoral Politics.- 4. Trump the Ordinary Republican.- 5. Trump, the Media and the Public.- 6. Trump in the White House.- 7. Trump and Congress.- 8. Trumps Ordinary Foreign Policy.- 9. Conclusion: Extraordinary President, Ordinary Presidency.

It is written for a broad audience  it is researched in enough depth for an academic audience, but, at the same time, it is presented in such a manner to be a good introduction for lay readers. As such, it offers a worthy, accessible contribution to the debate concerning the Trump presidency. (Dafydd Townley, Presidential History Network, January, 2020)