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Don’t Call Trump a ‘Lame Duck’: Rick Wilson Warns He Could Grow More Dangerous if Sidelined

04:34 AM, 11/24/2025
Don’t Call Trump a ‘Lame Duck’: Rick Wilson Warns He Could Grow More Dangerous if Sidelined

Rick Wilson, co‑founder of the Lincoln Project, rejects the idea that Donald Trump would behave like a passive "lame duck." Wilson argues that a return to power or sustained influence would give Trump greater autonomy and loosen customary and legal restraints. He warns that if Trump feels sidelined, his craving for attention could make him more unpredictable and dangerous. The concern centers on whether norms and institutions can contain such behavior.

Many commentators describe Donald Trump as a "lame duck," but Lincoln Project co‑founder Rick Wilson disputes that label. Wilson argues that whether through renewed political influence or a future return to the White House, Trump’s behavior suggests he would operate with increasing autonomy and fewer traditional restraints.

Wilson’s concern: According to Wilson, a president who feels untethered from customary norms or legal limits—and who craves the spotlight—may respond to being pushed aside with escalating, unpredictable actions. That impulse to remain the center of attention, Wilson says, makes a sidelined leader more likely to behave erratically and dangerously.

"If Trump feels marginalized, his need to dominate the narrative could lead him to act more chaotically and take greater risks," Wilson warns.

Observers worry this dynamic would complicate governance, deepen political polarization, and increase the potential for confrontational or unconventional tactics. The concern is less about a label like "lame duck" and more about whether checks and norms can constrain a leader who resists being sidelined.

Why it matters: The debate highlights broader questions about institutional safeguards and political incentives. Understanding how a high-profile leader reacts to loss of influence can help voters, officials, and institutions prepare for scenarios in which traditional limits are tested.

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