The battle for the soul of the GOP is yet to come – insider sources

Former President Donald Trump's impact on the Republican Party was significant and swift. Once seen as a battle between the traditional establishment and a populist movement, the recent Republican National Convention confirmed that Trump has shaped the Republican Party in his image. His legacy will leave a mark, but not one that is fully formed or set.

If Trump wins in November, the real battle for the future of the Republican Party will be fought in 2028. The names may have changed, but the conflict between big-state and small-state conservatism is far from over.

While Republicans once called themselves the party of “limited government,” Trump's 2016 campaign defied that guiding principle. Promising to reduce the size, scope and role of government has often been seen as a litmus test for Republican campaigns, even if they rarely put that vision into action once in office.

Trump's campaign promises were just as likely to introduce a new government program as to eliminate an existing one. While he promises to abolish the Department of Education, he also promises to fund free online courses.

He chased away old party elites, not because of their political leanings, but because of their willingness to be loyal. Eight years after his first election campaign, once fierce critics now fully support Trump, despite conflicting political views.

His mishmash of policy positions reveals no formal principles, only the vagaries of his mind. He has railed against Obamacare for years, but promised to replace it with another program that would provide “insurance for all.” To that extent, the only rudder of the “American First” or “MAGA” movement so far has been what Trump said in his last speech at a rally.

If his position as official party chairman ultimately becomes vacant, this would leave a power vacuum and the Republicans would have to decide again what their party should look like.

The contrast between the movement's rising stars suggests two directions in which it could develop. Senator JD Vance, Trump's vice presidential nominee, is interested in big government policies like raising the minimum wage and has praised regulators like Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan. Newly minted MAGA darling Vivek Ramaswamy, on the other hand, praises free trade policies and has called for a “libertarian-nationalist alliance”.

Both speak in a populist tone and both claim to be conservative. Their political proposals could not be more different.

This is the Trump effect. Both were formerly critics of the president but have changed their rhetoric and are loyal to him; both appeal to a populist conservatism but have opposing approaches to the problem. In many ways, America First is a cultural movement based on sentiment rather than concrete political agreements. When the glue that holds them all together disappears, it's time to make decisions.

Freedom-loving Republicans are speaking out boldly to return the party to a foundation of small government and personal responsibility. Instead of promoting promises that government will “solve everything,” the Republican Party should focus on advocating for free markets and free speech and pushing back against the tide of ever-invading government.

We already have a major party that wants the government to keep control of your wallet; it would be a shame to lose its most prominent opponent.

Republicans can turn to populist economic policies more in the vein of Bernie Sanders than economist Thomas Sowell, or they can use the opportunity to live up to the limited government principles they once championed. Both factions will vie to become the rightful heir to the movement. It's unclear who will emerge victorious, but the battle has only just begun. Let's hope they choose the path of prosperity for all and freedom from government.