François Godement: We Are Witnessing the Beginning of Trump's Gradual Political Downfall Following Midterm Results

In a political analysis published by the French newspaper Le Figaro, François Godement, historian and special advisor for China and the United States at the Montaigne Institute in Paris, argued that the American political scene is witnessing the beginning of a "gradual political downfall" for former President Donald Trump, despite his prolonged dominance over public and media discourse.

Punitive Vote and the Rise of the Democratic Center

François Godement pointed out that the broad victory achieved by various factions of the Democratic Party in the midterm elections—ranging from socialists and radicals to moderates and centrists—essentially reflects a "collective rejection and primarily a negative vote against Trump."

The French scholar believes that the coming period will witness a battle of ideas and a clash of personalities for control over the Democratic Party's leadership, amidst a divided left lacking a clear ideology. While this divide had previously set the stage for a comeback by Trump supporters prior to the vote, the magnitude of the victory will, according to his assessment, enable the centrist current to forge a consensus capable of containing more radical factions and opening a clear path leading up to the 2028 presidential election.

The Beginning of the 'Post-Trump' Era Within the Republican Party

Addressing the significance of the results and whether they usher in a new era, Godement explained that the "post-Trump" phase has indeed begun within the corridors of the Republican Party itself, attributing this to the widespread nature of the political loss that affected all sides, including Republicans who had previously criticized Trump. He concluded that the trajectory of Trump's political decline is progressing gradually and slowly given his volatile personality, though this does not mean the final curtain will drop on him immediately.