After 26 years with The Washington Post, columnist Dana Milbank stepped away from politics for 10 months. In his recent “Perspectives” article for NOTUS.org, he observes that returning to the political arena felt like a strange mix of déjà vu and change.
His big takeaway: Donald Trump hasn’t really changed. He’s still governing with the same chaos, self-promotion, and norm-breaking behavior. But the country’s response to him has changed.
Milbank makes the point that Trump is still making controversial moves, attacking opponents, pushing questionable policies, and generating political drama much like before. But unlike a year ago, he says the public, the courts, U.S. allies, and even parts of Trump’s own political base seem far less intimidated or impressed.
Polling shows rising disapproval, Democrats are gaining momentum ahead of the midterms, and mass anti-Trump protests continue drawing millions. Courts have increasingly pushed back against executive overreach, and some international allies are distancing themselves from the U.S.
Milbank’s overall message is that while Trump remains as erratic and disruptive as ever, the political environment has shifted. The fear and shock that once amplified his power are fading, replaced by growing resistance and skepticism.
His conclusion: Trump may be the same, but America—and much of the world—has become less willing to accept his behavior as normal.
Summarized from “I Mostly Ignored Politics for 10 Months. What Did I Miss?” by Dana Milbank, NOTUS.org, April 24, 2026.
Illustration: “Rip Van Winkle” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, as illustrated by Arthur Rackham, 1919.