Victor Davis Hanson said President Donald Trump’s long-term historical legacy could ultimately be defined by whether his administration permanently changes the political direction of the United States, reshapes Europe and alters the balance of power with China and the Middle East.
During an exchange with Glenn Beck, Hanson was asked to look decades into the future and identify what historians might consider the defining accomplishments of Trump’s presidency.
“You’re a historian. Put yourself 50 years out. The biggest accomplishments of this presidency, what will they say they were, and how is he remembered 50 years from now?” Beck asked.
Hanson said one of the biggest potential achievements would be halting the progressive political project in the United States.
“I think, let’s just say, three or four of them. I think he stopped the progressive project, and we are not going to go down that socialist pathway. I think he stopped it,” Hanson said.
He added that political battles would continue, but argued Trump had given opponents of progressive policies confidence that those policies could be defeated.
“think it’s going to be there’s battles to be fought, but he gave people the encouragement that they can be defeated,” Hanson said.
“And their hysteria exhibits that they thought that they knew they were vulnerable because their agenda was contrary to human nature.”
Hanson then turned to Europe, arguing that Trump’s impact extended well beyond the United States.
“And then second, I think he shocked Europe,” Hanson said.
He recalled Trump’s appearance at Notre-Dame and described the reception as evidence that European leaders, despite their criticism of him, recognized the political force of his approach.
“They made fun of him, but when he was inaugurated, he went into Notre-Dame. He was like that line out of Shakespeare, a colossus, and all those people were clamoring to get near him,” Hanson said.
According to Hanson, European governments have increasingly adopted policies resembling Trump’s positions on immigration, energy and defense.
“And they were basically saying, We hate you, but you gave us the inspiration to close our borders, to deport people, to look toward fossil fuels, to rearm, and to open up,” Hanson said.
He pointed to Sweden, Denmark, and Eastern Europe as examples and argued that governments in Britain and France were facing instability while other countries were moving in a similar direction.
“And that’s what Sweden, that’s what Denmark, that’s what Eastern Europe is doing. The governments that are socialist in Britain and France are shaky. Germany, Italy, all of these countries are following our model in a way,” Hanson said.
Hanson also predicted that Canada could eventually experience a political shift.
“I think Canada will, too. I think Carney’s going to blow it, and there’ll be a change there,” he said.
From there, Hanson identified two larger geopolitical tests that he believes could determine whether Trump’s legacy becomes truly historic.
“There’s two great obstacles: Can he stop the Chinese agenda to dominate the world, and can he end the idea that we have to be permanently in the Middle East because it’s a dysfunctional, pathological place?” Hanson said.
He said Trump was attempting both tasks despite what he described as limited assistance.
“And he’s trying on both fronts. He’s not getting a lot of help,” Hanson said.
Beck responded, “Well there’s an understatement.”
“Yes. Yes,” Hanson replied.
Hanson said the goals were enormous but could fundamentally change how Trump is remembered if they succeed.
“But those are ambitious goals,” Hanson said. “If he pulls the Middle East off, and Iran that government falls, Yeah. and he can outpower China, that will be historic.”
Beck responded, “It’s game-changing.”
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