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The 'Lame Duck' Myth: Rick Wilson Warns Trump Could 'Burn It All Down' If Sidelined

Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, argues that labeling Donald Trump a "lame duck" is misleading. He warns a second Trump term could increase the president's sense of autonomy and weaken adherence to tradition and legal restraints. Wilson cautions that if Trump feels sidelined, his drive to stay center stage could make him more chaotic and dangerous. The warning highlights risks to institutions and democratic norms.

03:09 AM, 11/24/2025Politics
The 'Lame Duck' Myth: Rick Wilson Warns Trump Could 'Burn It All Down' If Sidelined

Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, rejects the idea that a president perceived as weakened becomes less dangerous. He warns that a second Donald Trump term would likely embolden the former president, giving him a greater sense of autonomy and loosening his ties to tradition and legal restraint.

Wilson's warning

Wilson argues that Trump’s craving to remain the center of attention is more than a personality trait — it is a political force that could drive unpredictable and destabilizing behavior if Trump feels marginalized. In Wilson’s view, a leader operating with diminished respect for norms and law could grow more chaotic, not less, particularly if he believes he has nothing to lose.

“A presidency that appears weakened won’t necessarily temper his actions — it may provoke escalation,” Wilson says.

Potential implications

Wilson’s warning raises questions about how political norms, legal checks and public accountability would function under such stress. If a president becomes increasingly driven by the need to command attention, that dynamic could complicate governance, strain institutions and heighten political tensions.

Wilson’s assessment is a cautionary perspective rather than a prediction of specific actions. It underscores the importance of institutional safeguards and public scrutiny in preserving democratic norms.

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