For the first time in four decades, Republicans are basking in the embrace of pop culture. Boxers and football players are doing the “Trump dance.” Leaning right is the new counterculture.

It’s fun for conservatives to swim in the mainstream—especially after having been marginalized by the left for so long. But Republicans will make a great mistake if they draw the wrong lessons from the 2024 elections.

Republicans didn’t win because a majority of voters signed onto their agenda. They won because the Biden/Harris administration was an utter, arrogant failure; and because Donald Trump is a unique and engaging pop culture figure who was able to capture key constituencies of working class and minority voters.

Republicans haven’t yet cemented this new coalition. They can—but they’ll need to enact policies that make these new voters’ lives noticeably better.

Let’s get to work!