Donald Trump will take over the White House in about a month. In a weird sort of way, though, he comes back as a lame duck. Four years and he's gone. No coat tails. No Trump Train for venal GOP politicians to ride. Does that weaken him? Being a lame duck, he has nothing to lose. He doesn't have to please anybody about anything. Does that strengthen him? Thoughts?
It doesn't weaken him, at least. His real power is over legislators, and it comes from being able to summon populist primary challengers, something he can do even after he leaves office, assuming he lives that long and still has two neurons to spark together by then.
Normally it would, but no. He can still turn Republican voters against anyone he wishes. Republican politicians will be afraid of him until he dies (or loses competency completely).
