Opinion Today: Take Trump at his word

His most disturbing statements aren't bluster. They're a road map.

View in browser|nytimes.com October 26, 2024 Damon Winter/The New York Times By Kathleen Kingsbury Opinion Editor In April 2016, my colleagues at The Boston Globe and I published a satirical front page, accompanying an editorial, laying out what we believed Donald Trump would be up to one year out if he were elected president that November. One can debate the journalistic value of such an exercise — and plenty of people did — but several analyses have since found many of our predictions to be strikingly accurate. It wasn't that we had a crystal ball — we simply listened to Trump on the campaign trail. We took him at his word. Yet, in polls, interviews and surveys, some Americans in 2024 continue to dismiss many of Trump's most disturbing proposals as hyperbole. So the Times editorial board this week compared the former president's record with his rhetoric to lay out a road map of what he could do in a second term. "The record shows that Mr. Trump often pursues his stated goals, regardless of how plainly they lack legal or moral grounding," the board wrote. "The record further shows that many of his most reckless efforts in his first administration were stymied only because of others in his administration who blocked, delayed or watered down his aims to ensure that he could not put himself above the law or the country." Our overwhelming conclusion? Most of those safeguards won't be in place for a second Trump term, making it essential for voters to believe what he threatens and to consider if that is the America they want. MORE FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD ON TRUMP Trump Is Telling Us What He Would Do. Believe Him. The former president's most disturbing statements are not bluster. They are a road map to what he will do if elected again. By The Editorial Board Donald Trump Is Unfit to Lead He failed the tests of leadership and betrayed America. Voters must stand up to him in November. By The Editorial Board The Editorial Board The Only Patriotic Choice for President Kamala Harris has demonstrated care, competence and respect for the Constitution — the fundamental qualities necessary for high office. By The Editorial Board The Dangers of Donald Trump, From Those Who Know Him What 91 people who know the former president say about his character. By The Editorial Board Donald Trump's First Term Is a Warning Your guide to the perils of a second Trump era. By New York Times Opinion THE WEEK IN BIG IDEAS Ohni Lisle Guest Essay What an Encounter With a Flight Attendant Showed Me About the Life I Wanted Everything that challenges the status quo shakes our idea of normal. By Gina Chua Illustration by The New York Times; source photographs by Cj Gunther/Shutterstock and Sean Rayford/Getty Images Guest Essay Nate Silver: Here's What My Gut Says About the Election, but Don't Trust Anyone's Gut, Even Mine A 50-50 forecast really does mean 50-50. And you should be open to the possibility that those forecasts are wrong. By Nate Silver Jiayue Li Guest Essay Abortion Pills Are Safe. Post-Roe America Isn't. In many states, hospitals are delaying or denying standard reproductive care. By Chavi Eve Karkowsky Emily Elconin for The New York Times Guest Essay It's the Inflation, Stupid: Why the Working Class Wants Trump Back Inflation is driving working-class voters of all ethnicities to Trump. By Adam Seessel We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018