Politics

Trump Crashes Into Reality

The president is learning that limits to his power—and, soon, his relevancy—do exist.

First published in The Atlantic on July 28, 2026.

by Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic

July 30, 2026 | reading time: 7 Min.

President Trump has mused about being the most powerful man in history. He has started wars and remade his nation’s economic and strategic relationships with the world. He has demanded, and largely received, total obedience from his party. He has dominated the national discourse like no president has before, and he’s tried to recast his nation’s capital—and even its history—to his liking. He’s everywhere. He has said he believes that there are “no limits” to his power.