Donald Trump is on the brink of entering a new term as president, or possibly starting a post-campaign life mired in legal challenges, lawsuits, and political fallout.

The future of the next presidential administration will drastically change based on the outcome of Election Day, yet certain elements will remain unchanged either way.

Trump has left a significant mark on American politics. While some of the division, controversy, and shifts he has introduced may diminish if he loses, experts believe that many elements will likely endure.

Whether he wins or loses, Trumpism will play a crucial role in the Republican Party, which stands at a pivotal moment.

If Trump is defeated, there will be considerable second-guessing and blame directed among party members, as noted by longtime Republican pollster Frank Luntz.

Should he emerge victorious? Expect a party even more aligned with Trump’s views.

Luntz remarked, “Winning often mends all divides. If Trump succeeds, the party will wholly belong to him, and his movement will advance.”

Numerous Republicans feel that there is no reverting to the pre-Trump era of the Republican Party. The MAGA GOP is now more extreme, working-class, and populist compared to the older business-centric and international party.

“This Republican Party has been permanently changed,” stated Matt Schlapp, Chair of the Conservative Political Action Committee.

However, Trump’s impact extends beyond policy and populism.

His approach is characterized by a confrontational demeanor, a disregard for traditional political norms, and a tendency to bypass established boundaries, leading to troubling scenarios such as threats against those opposing him.

“Trump believes the rules do not apply to him,” commented Ty Cobb, who served as a lawyer in Trump’s administration and has since become a critic.

By behaving in ways other politicians shun, Trump might pave the way for similar conduct in others.

He’s weathered numerous scandals—two impeachments, instigating an insurrection, facing four criminal indictments, and being found liable for sexual abuse and defamation—making his behavior seem acceptable to his party, where once it might have disqualified a candidate.

He has made threats to utilize governmental power against political opponents, stirring criticism that he’s stretching democratic norms.

By repeatedly claiming the 2020 election was fraudulently decided and maintaining false narratives about “cheating” in the 2024 race, Trump has significantly eroded Americans’ trust in the electoral process. A poll from YSL News/Suffolk University revealed that 67% of Trump supporters doubt President Joe Biden’s legitimacy, and 52% are skeptical the results of the 2024 election will be accurately counted and reported.

Rebuilding this trust could prove difficult, especially if Trump persists with his rhetoric following a loss. Legal challenges over a defeat appear probable, as his campaign previously filed numerous unsuccessful lawsuits over the 2020 election outcomes.

Trump has also embraced more extreme rhetoric often associated with far-right figures, raising concerns about whether such aggressive language will gain wider acceptance in the GOP.

The former president frequently attacks his adversaries, incorporating terms reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, portraying political opponents as “internal enemies” and “vermin.”

Trump’s provocative style resonates well on the right.

“What he represents is the notion that it’s acceptable to besiege someone politically, and have everyone applaud that behavior, which is appealing to many,” stated Trump biographer Gwenda Blair.

Many of his more controversial statements have been aimed at undocumented immigrants, suggesting they “poison the blood” of the nation and labeling those who commit crimes as having “bad genes.” He often links illegal immigration with crime, contradicting factual crime data.

The issue of immigration has become a central topic for the GOP in the era of Trump and is likely to stay that way. Trump has shifted discussions significantly, vowing to expel all unauthorized immigrants from the nation—over 11 million individuals.

Trump’s hardline stance and his unwillingness to accommodate differing views within his party have pushed moderates away. As a result, many of the party’s prominent leaders have moved towards a MAGA populist ideology. Even following the insurrection on January 6, 2021, when a group of Trump’s supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in an effort to disrupt the certification of the 2020 election results, the majority of the party continued to support him.

“If he can withstand the repercussions of January 6 and maintain a stronghold on nearly half of the electorate four years later, it’s clear that his influence will persist,” remarked Cobb.

Even if Trump faces defeat, some of his opponents are gearing up for a prolonged struggle against his enduring impact after the elections.

“Once Trump is no longer in the picture, the taint he leaves will stick to those Republicans who submitted to his extremist ambitions. Thus, we must continue our fight, even after Tuesday,” the anti-Trump Lincoln Project stated on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a video featuring former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger discussing how other Republican figures might take up Trump’s mantle and the necessity to keep the opposition strong.

There is already competition forming regarding who will take the lead in the party post-Trump. Those eyeing the 2028 Republican presidential race will quickly make their moves—immediate action if Trump loses, and a more measured approach if he wins.

Speculation is swirling around Trump’s potential running mate JD Vance, while other Republicans are considering candidates like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who both fell short in the 2024 races.

Issues championed by Trump continue to resonate with grassroots GOP members.

Charting a course for the party after Trump will require time. Some Republicans might feel compelled to conduct another of their periodic “self-analysis” following a loss, which will likely lead to intense discussions.

“It may take several months before the party starts to seriously think about moving on and identifying its next significant leader,” stated Liz Mair, a Republican strategist who opposes Trump.

If Trump were to secure a second term? According to Mair, the party would likely become even more aligned with his persona: “Should he win, I anticipate there will be even less resistance to his more radical proposals from within the GOP compared to what we witnessed during his first term.”

Corey Lewandowski, a Trump campaign adviser, stated that Trump has brought about a fundamental change in the Republican Party compared to a decade ago, steering it away from elitist “country club Republicans” towards a more inclusive platform for blue-collar workers.

Despite Trump’s reconfiguration of the party, Lewandowski emphasized that he remains a unique individual. He described Trump as the “blue-collar billionaire” who has formed a diverse working-class coalition that has eluded other Republicans, asserting that “no one else in the party could replicate this with any genuine authenticity.”

“This movement is what it is today primarily due to him,” Lewandowski pointed out.

Trump has so thoroughly influenced the GOP that the party could encounter a leadership void if he were to lose. There is no identifiable successor poised to take his place.

“Trump is one of a kind; no one can simply step into his shoes,” remarked former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Regardless of the outcome this Election Day, Trump is likely to maintain a significant presence in his party. However, legal troubles could complicate his position, especially if he does not win. He faces four criminal cases, one of which in New York involves 34 felony counts related to hush money payments made to an adult film actress to suppress an affair prior to the 2016 election.

Some of these legal challenges may dissipate if Trump achieves election victory—he has vowed to dismiss special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the case regarding his attempts to contest the 2020 election and allegations of improper handling of classified documents.

If he loses, Trump may find himself more vulnerable to legal repercussions. “He’ll have to face law enforcement matters,” commented Tim O’Brien, a biographer of Trump.