Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who initially refrained from supporting Donald Trump in the 2016 election, later explained his decision to back Trump’s reelection bid. While Shapiro acknowledged that his concerns about Trump’s character were still valid, he believed that the harm Trump was destined to cause had already been done by that time.
This reasoning came just before Trump falsely declared victory in the 2020 election, which eventually contributed to the events of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Interestingly, Shapiro’s reasoning holds even more relevance today. With Trump winning once again, the need to justify supporting him has disappeared. The outcome is set, and the consequences are now largely out of our control.
Pro-Israel conservatives hope Trump may team up with Israel to address Iran’s nuclear threat
At this point, the real question is: Can anything positive come from this? Despite the challenges, I’d cautiously argue that there may be some potential for a silver lining. However, it’s important to note that, like Shapiro in his previous assessment, my concerns about Trump are largely focused on his character, rather than his policy initiatives (which at times appear disjointed). Progressives may find little comfort in this perspective.
So, what is driving this hope? One factor is Trump’s initial staffing decisions, which have been somewhat encouraging. For instance, Susie Wiles’ appointment as chief of staff suggests both competence and stability, and the choice of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as Secretary of State points to a potential foreign policy direction reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s.
Trump also seems poised to maintain strong support for Israel, building upon the Abraham Accords, which were widely regarded as a success during his first term. Some political analysts believe there is a possibility that Trump could collaborate with Israel to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which would have a serious impact on Middle Eastern dynamics.
This possibility is made more likely by Hezbollah’s weakened state and the dismantling of Iran’s air defenses. While this action would be highly contentious, it could prevent the rise of a nuclear-armed regime in the region, a priority for pro-Israel conservatives focused on national security.
However, Iran is not the only pressing issue. Despite his firm support for Israel, Trump’s past statements on Ukraine have raised concerns. Recently, however, there have been signs that Trump intends to avoid the chaotic approach of Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
There’s hope that his foreign policy stance will be more measured, aligning more closely with mainstream conservative values than the isolationist rhetoric of Vice President-elect JD Vance. Eventually, the effects will reach beyond just Russia and Ukraine. China will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on these developments as well.
Domestically, Trump’s focus on the economy could prove beneficial. If he is truly concerned with his legacy (which we must hope is the case), he may feel compelled to manage the economy with more responsibility. However, his inclination toward heavy spending and tariffs may lead to inflationary pressure.
Some of Trump’s most ardent supporters may not like it, but there’s reason to believe that his governance could be more restrained than his past statements have suggested. A major test will be how he handles his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Shapiro’s 2020 observations—that Trump exceeded expectations in his first term and that the Democrats had veered too far left—are even more relevant today.
One potential positive outcome of Trump’s 2024 victory might be that it serves as a much-needed wake-up call for the Democratic Party. It could prompt them to shift away from their more extreme positions and refocus on the concerns of everyday voters. The hope is that they’ll distance themselves from identity politics and controversial policies, such as taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care for migrants and prisoners.
There’s no denying that difficult days lie ahead. I’ve long believed that the drawbacks of Trump’s leadership outweigh the potential benefits. But now that the election is over, perhaps we can begin looking for any potential advantages as we prepare for the challenges that come with a second Trump presidency.
