The Economist takes a 'dispassionate' look at 'Donald Trump's terrible appeal'

It's probably fair to say that Donald Trump is not very popular in Europe right now, especially Britain, where Parliament vigorously debated barring him from the country. Perhaps that's why The Economist attempted to explain "Donald Trump's terrible appeal" in the video below. Trump looked like a loser after coming in second in the Iowa caucuses, but after winning the New Hampshire Republican primary by a wide margin, the unidentified British narrator says, "suddenly, this braggart tycoon actually had something to boast about."
That sets the tone for the rest of the video, which is filled with interviews in which New Hampshire voters profess their love and intention to vote for Trump. What's going on? "To many dispassionate observers, Mr. Trump is an egotistical blowhard with awful ideas for America," The Economist notes, dispassionately. The magazine did find one man at a Trump rally who, after watching him speak, changed from a big supporter to a critic who called Trump a "joke" who will never be president. The first part is right, The Economist said. "As a candidate for president, Mr. Trump is a bad joke. His thuggery and his willful ignorance defy parody. And yet Mr. Trump, on the back of his performance in New Hampshire, now has a strong chance of winning the Republican nomination." Watch The Economist's analysis — which includes finding "a feeling of reckless euphoria among some of Mr. Trump's supporters" — below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
US foodies brace for tariff war
Under The Radar Shoppers stocking up on imported olive oil, maple syrup and European wine as price hikes loom
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
How Canadian tariffs could impact tourism to the US
In the Spotlight Canadians represent the largest group of foreign visitors to the United States. But they may soon stop visiting.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Entitlements: DOGE goes after Social Security
Feature Elon Musk is pushing false claims about Social Security fraud
By The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's Mexico and Canada tariffs begin, roiling markets
Speed Read Stocks plunged after Trump affirmed that the tariffs would take effect, sparking a likely trade war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Judge tells White House to stop ordering mass firings
speed read The ruling is a complication in the Trump administration's plans to slash the federal workforce
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published