Many outlets are claiming that the failure to push through the new healthcare bill is a Loss for Donald Trump. However, this is judging him in normal political terms. Trump won the Republican nomination despite most of the party hierarchy being adamantly against him and after various statements that would have sunk every other politician. Normal political standards cannot judge Trump.

After becoming President of the United States (POTUS), Trump has faced more controversies than other politicians face in their entire careers but there is no sign of him being removed from office.

A loss for the Republicans

Donald Trump has faced ‘defeat’ after the failure of the Republicans to agree on the replacement for Obamacare, meaning that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will remain in place for the foreseeable future. But as many outlets describe, is this a defeat for Donald Trump? Because those are based on traditional political standards and Trump has proved traditional political standards do not apply to his presidency.

There is an argument that Trump has possibly won out of this because he conducted himself exactly how he has done his entire life. He put forward a proposal and then made an ultimatum for the Republicans to vote for them, or risk it being defeated. He can now go away to voters claiming he did everything who could for voters and that it was those in congress that blocked him.

The Republicans cannot risk a decrease in voter popularity within the key states that voted for Trump. Next time Trump puts a proposal forward and forces congress into a decision, there is no doubt it will go through with limited opposition. This is a victory for Trump who will see this as an opportunity to force control of the party and his aides.