“We have reached Peak Trump.” And that, writes Charles C. W. Cooke in the cover piece of the new April issue of National Review, “is a thoroughly remarkable thing to write in the year 2025.” In the decade since Trump arrived on the political scene, he won the presidency, was impeached twice, “lost reelection, brazenly lied about it, helped inspire a riot, and was subsequently convicted of a series of felonies.” And “yet it is now,” having pulled a Grover Cleveland to regain the White House, “that Trump has reached the apex of his popularity and power. Objectively, that is astonishing, isn’t it?”

The question now, of course, is what he’s going to do with that power. Will the Trump team — with its eccentric co-captain, Elon Musk — fulfill the role of corrective on “taxation, spending, immigration, affirmative action, and gender ideology”? Or will it take the country on a wild ride (as with the president’s “gleefully threatening Canada with massive tariffs”)? “Up to a point, voters will indulge Trump in his foibles,” says Charlie, “and . . . tolerate his more eccentric projects. But, once the honeymoon is over, they will continue to do so only if he can deliver on the basics.”

Charlie’s deft assessment of our political moment is matched by the mellifluousness of his pen. Read the whole thing here.

The April issue delivers the classic NR blend of politics, social commentary, culture, and humor. In this issue you’ll find:

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