The Trump Realignment: How Donald J. Trump Redefined the American Party System

Donald Trump transformed the Republican Party and, in the process, reset American politics. He redefined what it means to be a Republican by breaking the party establishment, and turning the GOP into a populist, nationalist, and working-class coalition. In 2016, Trump was an outsider running against the establishment. By 2024, Trump was the Republican Party establishment.  In response, the Democratic Party has shifted toward the progressive left and is the party of educated, urban, and professional elites.

The Trump Realignment traces how this transformation unfolded and what it means for the future of American politics. One thing is clear: American politics is not returning to the pre-Trump era. Trump recognized issues that were being ignored by the Republican and Democratic establishments. He gave voice to grievances over economic and cultural shifts, expressing the public’s deep-seated resentment and anger. Trump did not shift public opinion so much as harness attitudes on culture, immigration, and trade that had already drifted out of step with both major parties. The issue cleavages that once divided Democrats from Republicans (an activist versus a restrained federal government) have fundamentally and irrevocably shifted toward questions of immigration and trade.

No other book captures how Donald J. Trump engaged in a hostile takeover of the Republican Party, forced the Democrats to respond, and realigned the American party system.  Even after Donald Trump exits the political arena, his impact on American politics will continue to be felt. The Trump Realignment is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand our transformed political landscape.

Spencer Goidel is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Auburn University. His research has been published in outlets such as Public Opinion Quarterly, Perspectives on Politics, and American Politics Research.

Kirby Goidel is Professor and Associate Head of Political Science at Texas A&M University.  His previous books include Nativist Nation: Populism, Grievance, Identity, and the Transformation of American Politics (2025) and Democracy’s Meanings: How the Public Understands Democracy and Why it Matters (2022).