T he return of Donald Trump to power is both the unlikeliest of political comebacks and an American horror story. The continuation of the Trump era, one of the ugliest and most divisive in American history, will likely only splinter us further apart. His victory over Kamala Harris is a setback for the rule of law, reproductive health care, and the climate — and that’s just for starters. But the loss of a major battle does not mean that participating in politics is no longer worth the effort. On the contrary, over the next four years, the hard work becomes more crucial than ever. 

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At Rolling Stone that means reporting the stories that matter. Trump, a would-be authoritarian, and his plutocratic allies — most notably Elon Musk, the richest man in the world — have an extremist agenda. You can count on these new robber barons to seek to remake America for the benefit of their pocketbooks. Expect more tax cuts for the wealthiest, bizarre tariffs, less regulation, and an intensification of the never-ending culture wars, along with the threat of mass deportations. On top of all that will come the inevitable chaos of Trump’s leadership style and the sniveling actions of his cronies. It’s a grim forecast. We will be investigating all of these topics and a lot more in the coming years — that’s our duty as a publication that was founded with a spirit of defiance and commitment to the truth. 

The country’s institutions barely held together during the first Trump administration. In a second, they will be tested like never before. By electing Trump, we’ve embarked on a long, dark journey over perilous waters, with a half-mad captain at the helm. Politicians who aspire to be strongmen demand the press embrace our roles as watchdogs. Rolling Stone will not shy from holding the administration to account. In fact, we have already started digging.