One of the important factors in Trump’s rise is that he’s the first Republican leader in decades who doesn’t talk about cutting Social Security. Not talking about it doesn’t mean it can’t happen, of course, and I personally think there’s reason for concern. But it’s a big shift. Matt Yglesias calls it “unhinged moderation”, and I think that’s basically correct; imagine telling someone in 2004 or even 2014 that a Republican would appoint a gay Treasury secretary.
A gay Treasury secretary is not much surprising and even less substantial.
Bush before 2004 with little controversy appointed several gay people. By 2014 moderate Republicans accepted gay soldiers and civil unions. Trump's 1st administration argued gay people could be fired for being gay. And failed to persuade 2 of 5 Republicans on the Supreme Court
