In Trump’s U.S., are there any presidential norms anymore?

Consider This from NPR

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🗓️ 4 March 2026

⏱️ 8 minutes

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Summary

This past weekend, the United States went to war.

The president didn’t present his case in a primetime speech from the Oval Office or the White House’s East Room, but rather, in an edited video posted at 2:30 a.m. on the social media platform he owns.

And that video post came between others where President Trump has falsely claimed that elections were rigged and stolen, called for the prosecution of people who have opposed him, and lobbied to put his face on U.S. currency.

The New Yorker’s Susan Glasser has been tracking it all, week by week, since 2018. She talks about the myriad ways the presidency, and the norms surrounding it, continue to change under Trump.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This past weekend, the United States went to war.
0:03.4	The country went to war without much notice and with the justification that is shifted sometimes hour by hour and the days since bombing began.
0:11.8	President Trump didn't announce the war with Iran in a speech from the Oval Office or the White House's East Room,
0:17.0	but rather in an edited video posted at 2.30 a.m. on the social media platform he
0:22.4	owns. A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran.
0:31.4	Trump was wearing a baseball cap, pulled low over his eyes.
0:34.4	This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United
0:40.3	States Armed Forces.
0:41.3	Since then, he has taunted Iran's Navy and, in all caps, warned Iran about even harsher
0:47.3	U.S. military strikes.
0:48.3	Those posts came between others this week, where Trump has falsely claimed elections were
0:53.3	rigged and stolen, called for the
0:54.4	prosecution of various people who have opposed him, and lobbied to put his face on U.S. currency.
0:59.8	All of this is to say the presidency and the norms surrounding it have changed a lot under President
1:05.5	Trump. Consider this. For years, Donald Trump has ignored the norms and traditions of the presidency.
1:12.9	With the war in Iran, has he eliminated them completely?
1:19.6	From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow.
1:24.5	This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe.
1:30.0	You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps.
1:35.4	Be smart. Get Wise.
1:37.4	Download the Wise app today or visit wise.com.
1:40.7	T's and Cs apply.
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