What Happens to Republicans After Trump? (With Cody Johnston)

Original Airdate: May 28, 2026

Donald Trump successfully conducted a hostile takeover of the Republican Party in the lead-up to the 2016 election - and the Republican Party and MAGA have been synonymous ever since. But really, Trump was always the final form of the Republican Party - a party with unpopular ideas that serves the rich elite, and uses culture war issues, dog whistles and demagoguery to solidify their base. Trump just did it better. But eventually, Trump will be gone... what happens to Republicans when that day finally comes?In this episode of Talking Politics With Mom, mom and I are joined by my longtime friend and colleague Cody Johnston, host of Some More News (@SMN), to ask this question: what happens to the Republican Party after Donald Trump is gone? We break down Trump’s collapsing approval ratings, Tucker Carlson suddenly trying to distance himself from MAGA, and why the GOP may be facing a full-blown identity crisis. We also talk about JD Vance, Project 2025, right-wing populism, Republican propaganda, and whether anyone can actually replace Trump as the face of the modern conservative movement.My mom brings the historical perspective, tracing the Republican Party from the rise of corporate power and the Southern Strategy all the way to today’s MAGA movement. We talk about oligarchs, culture war politics, anti-immigrant rhetoric, Fox News, fascism, and why Republicans keep rebranding the same unpopular ideas. Cody also explains why Trump was the “final form” of the GOP brand - a celebrity salesman who could package extreme politics in a way nobody else really can.But this episode isn’t just about Republicans. We also get into the failures of the Democratic Party, why so many voters feel politically homeless, and what kind of leadership America actually needs right now: a vision for the future.Please let us know what you think in the comments - Can the Republicans survive after Trump?And make sure to check us out on Patreon and Substack:(  / talkingpoliticswithmom  )(https://talkingpoliticswithmom.substa...)And check out ‪@SMN‬ on Youtube and Cody's band, The Hot Shapes on Soundcloud.(  / thehotshapes  )