Country singer Carrie Underwood shakes hands US President Donald Trump after performing ‘America the Beautiful’ during Trump’s inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025. (SHAWN THEW/Pool via REUTERS)
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Politics is replete with comebacks – Richard Nixon, Winston Churchill and Vladimir Lenin make the cut.
And so does President Donald Trump.
He’s now only the second American President to return to office. President Grover Cleveland served his first term from 1885 to 1889. But Cleveland lost the presidency in 1888. Cleveland won the popular vote – but lost the Electoral College to President Benjamin Harrison. However, Cleveland rallied to vanquish Harrison in 1892, returning to the White House.
So this is a second act for Mr. Trump. At least in the presidency.
For him, the president enjoys unprecedented public support. He commanded 77 million votes – but failed to reach 50 percent. But, the president did score a robust 312 electoral votes.
Second Lady Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participate in the departure ceremony for outgoing United States President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden on the East Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC after the swearing-in of Donald Trump as president on Jan. 20, 2025. (Chris Kleponis/Pool via REUTERS)
And so, Mr. Trump, like Cleveland, is into his second act. What’s ahead?
The expectations are astronomical.
"America issued a verdict on November 5th. They spoke loud and clear," said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., on Fox.
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Republicans promised a makeover.
"When I see peace starting to break out again around the world. They’re going to be like, ‘this is the stability that we were asking for,’" said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., on Fox. "Daddy’s back."
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shakes hands with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump onstage at a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on Nov. 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Frankly, they may need help from Democrats on some issues – like avoiding a government shutdown or lifting the debt ceiling.
"Even though my colleagues have been talking about that the president got a mandate and he did electorally, that mandate does not exist in the House," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., on Fox. "They barely have a majority. And so if they want to work with us, I think they're going to find a willing partner."
Confirmation votes are coming soon on Trump cabinet picks.
"He needs a team that can be disruptive," said Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Penn., on Fox. "They want disrupters. They want outside the box thinking."
But some picks could be too disruptive.
Think Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard and the selection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for Health and Human Services Secretary. Senate committees have not yet scheduled hearings for either of them. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth likely has the votes for confirmation. But the Senate may need to take a procedural vote to break a Democratic filibuster to muscle through Hegseth to confirmation.
Still, Democrats are recalibrating their approach for Trump 2.0.
"I think Democrats last time around just resisted the president on everything. It was just constant outrage. And I think this time they need to shift to a different strategy of selective resistance," said Moskowitz.
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So Trump’s second act is on. The issues that Grover Cleveland grappled with? Tariffs and silver policy. Mr. Trump won’t need to wrestle with the latter subject (we presume). But you know about the pending battle about tariffs and issues with China, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere.
The new president has about two years to implement his policies and get his legislative agenda through Congress. But people are expecting results.
And that’s the thing about second acts. In sports. And in politics. Only in the theatre is there a third.
Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/second-acts-president-trump-makes-historic-comeback