Did Trump’s 2020 Loss Hurt America More Than a Victory Would Have?

In a provocative twist, political columnist Ed Kilgore suggests that America might have dodged a bullet if Donald Trump had won re-election in 2020. The argument? A second Trump term could have reshaped the 2024 election landscape, sparing us the chaos of his vengeful comeback campaign. Kilgore posits that a Trump victory would have sidestepped the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a stain on the nation’s conscience, and forced the Democratic Party into a healthier reset.

Had Joe Biden lost in 2020, Kilgore argues, he would have bowed out gracefully, leaving the Democratic stage open for new blood. Kamala Harris, bruised by her 2020 primary and vice-presidential losses, would likely have faded from contention. The Democrats could have held a competitive, unifying nominating process for 2024, free from the baggage of inflation, immigration woes, and accusations of ‘wokeness’ that plagued Biden’s term. Instead, the party now grapples with internal fractures and a lack of direction.

Kilgore’s boldest claim is that Trump’s 2020 loss fueled his 2024 resurgence, empowering a GOP that’s veered into extremism. The Democrats, meanwhile, are left licking their wounds, burdened by Biden’s age and policy missteps. A Trump win back then might have burned out his appeal, sparing America the divisive policies now unfolding.