What if Trump strengthens democracy instead of harming it?
It may seem absurd to consider, but here's what that could look like
Moving faster than a speeding bullet! Powered by sheer unpredictability! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Donald Trump, swooping in to save democracy!!
Yes, I know: picturing Donald Trump as “Superman of democracy” is provocative, maybe absurd. The establishment paints him as a menace to democracy, more Lex Luthor than Clark Kent. And let’s be real — there’s plenty of evidence for that view. This is the man who tried to overturn an election, threatens retribution against political enemies, and fires off Truth Social posts like a crazy ex with a personality disorder.
Despite backing Trump enthusiastically in 2016, I couldn’t support him in 2024. January 6 was a hard red line for me, which made me see the full scope of his flaws. But what if, against all odds, the Universe throws us a plot twist worthy of a Daily Planet cover story, and Orange Man becomes our Superman? And what if, like any great comic-book antihero, his worst character trait — narcissism — morphs into the very superpower democracy needs to escape the clutches of stagnation? Like if his relentless ego drives him to heroism, not for love of country, but to secure his legacy as the greatest president in history.
Admittedly, this sounds far-fetched. It’s like suggesting Lex Luthor could save Metropolis. My expectation is that Trump will be a net negative for democracy, but maybe I’ll be surprised. It’s worth entertaining an optimistic scenario where he strengthens democracy, even if it happens ass-backwards.
Take sovereignty, a cornerstone of democracy. Imagine an America where border sovereignty is restored, illegal immigration curbed, and legal pathways strengthened. This would mark a breakthrough in democratic self-determination after decades of failure. Unchecked illegal immigration is kryptonite to democracy, sapping its integrity. While mass deportation raises legitimate humanitarian concerns, Trump’s immigration focus taps into a democratic principle voters value.
Now picture Trump’s brashness, backed by broligarchs, neutralizing the kryptonite of political gridlock to push bipartisan reforms. Having engaged with both Trumpists and democracy advocates, I’ve seen surprising areas of agreement. Reforms like Supreme Court ethics rules, election integrity measures, and banning congressional stock trading are ripe for collaboration. Trump’s unconventional style and assembly of ambitious reformers could create momentum for a bold, bipartisan “American reform initiative.” What a comic-book twist it would be if Trump united the nation through democratic reform.
The newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is unproven, but it could become a Justice League for institutional reform. Just as the Justice League combines its heroes’ strengths to protect the world, DOGE has potential to harness Silicon Valley talent and bipartisan political energy to strengthen democratic governance. For example, it could increase data transparency, root out corruption, and modernize processes — embodying Superman’s ethos of truth and justice by driving real improvements in democracy. Democrats like Ro Khanna and Jared Moskowitz are already championing its bipartisan potential.
Geopolitically, Trump faces challenges that would test even Superman’s resolve. Wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza. Tensions simmer in the Indo-Pacific. Authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran grow bolder. Trump’s high-variance foreign policy could lead to catastrophe — or to great victories that strengthen global democracy.
His brash diplomatic style, combined with a Reaganesque “peace through strength” strategy, may drive surprising, positive outcomes. For instance, Trump could strengthen NATO by compelling reluctant European nations to increase defense spending and enhance support for Ukraine. He could broker a peace deal that stabilizes Ukraine while deterring Putin from further aggression. He could help forge peace in the Middle East, with Israel secure, Palestinian humanitarian crises addressed, and the Iranian regime weakened. These outcomes, while ambitious, are within reach.
China may be Trump’s greatest geopolitical challenge, the Doomsday to his Superman. Xi Jinping has ordered the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for a Taiwan invasion by 2027, a deadline within Trump’s term. The stakes couldn’t be higher. With Trump’s more hawkish orientation, it’s conceivable China will be more deterred from invading Taiwan and flexing in the South China Sea than it has been under the current administration.
In other words, Trump’s strongman persona — a character flaw transformed into a Superman-like superpower — could compel adversaries to think twice before escalating conflicts. This would strengthen deterrence, enhance global stability, and ultimately benefit global democracy.
Even the so-called deep state, often portrayed as Trump’s arch-nemesis, could benefit from meaningful reforms in his second term. Enhancing transparency and accountability within intelligence agencies, coupled with stronger oversight of executive power, would bolster democratic institutions. If Trump’s administration redirects its war on the deep state toward constructive reform, he could demonstrate that even a flawed antihero can wield power for the greater good.
Ultimately, Trump must decide who he wants to be — a neofascist Lex Luthor or a democracy-saving Superman. To embody Superman, he must respect the rule of law, press freedom, and civil discourse. Without these guardrails, even the most ambitious reforms risk crumbling under the weight of his authoritarian impulses.
Now that Trump has won again, we must make the most of his administration. I’m not deluded about his flaws, but I also see the potential for surprising outcomes. History loves an unexpected twist, and who doesn’t love a redemption arc? Perhaps if we feed Trump’s ego enough — painting visions of him winning the Nobel Peace Prize, or playing the Superman theme song before his speeches — he might embrace the cape of heroism and fight for truth, justice, and the American way. It’s a long shot, I know. But Superman always saves the day when you least expect it.
Special thanks to CansaFis Foote for draft feedback!
Does Trump realize he's been given the biggest mulligan in American history?
Jeff, thanks for this take. There is some big talent going into the administration. I truly hope that the Trump admin can double down on border security and the economy.