How would you react if these were the next five Presidents?

[McGarnagle]

I know predicting future presidents is something of a fool's errand (few people would have predicted Obama or Trump beforehand), but it is still fun to speculate and there's still a non-zero chance this could happen.

45. Donald Trump (R-NY)
January 20, 2017 - September 18, 2018 (resigned)

Trump resigns due to especially damning revelations in the Mueller probe, but attempts to save face, saying he was a great POTUS and that Mike Pence will continue to Make America Great Again.

46. Mike Pence (R-IN)
September 18, 2018 - January 20, 2021

Pence is an unpopular lame duck as he finishes out Trump's term, his approval rating rarely reaching 40%. There is an economic downturn from 2019 to 2021 that hits the midwest especially hard due to the continued tariffs. Pence loses in a landslide to Bernie Sanders in 2020 after John Kasich mounts a third party bid.

47. Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
January 20, 2021 - January 20, 2025 (retired after one term)

Sanders is popular throughout his term, and manages to implement a single payer universal health care program and overhaul the tax system. He retires after one term due to his health, but lives until 2031.

48. Kamala Harris (D-CA)
January 20, 2025 - January 20, 2033

Harris is popular through most of her two terms and defeats Tom Cotton in 2024 and an as-yet-unnamed moderate northeastern governor in 2028. There is a recession from late 2029 through the end of her second term, and the Democrats lose the 2030 midterms, their first unequivocal loss since 2016. Harris' VP loses to Senator Brian Sandoval in 2032.

49. Brian Sandoval (R-NV)
January 20, 2033 - January 20, 2041

Sandoval moves the GOP away from Trumpism and towards the center, and declines to end the still popular single payer health care program (though he does reduce its budget). The economy is booming during his two terms, and Sandoval is the first Republican president since the 20th century to leave office with approval ratings above water, at 53%. Sandoval's slightly more conservative Vice President, Meghan McCain, loses a close election to another political scion.

50. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA)
January 20, 2041 - January 20, 2049

Kennedy expands the universal health care program and reduces tax cuts for the wealthy, though not to Harris-era levels. The 2040s mark the climax of a cyber war between world powers such as the U.S., Russia, China, India, Brazil and Nigeria, and Kennedy is commended for his decisiveness during attacks on the U.S. electric grid, which are quickly addressed. Kennedy survives a 2044 assassination attempt and wins re-election in a landslide.

[McGarnagle]

Any particular reason why you have Trump resigned on September 18th? Seems oddly specific.

I just have a feeling that if anything like this does happen, it will happen soon (next two to four months). Developments and revelations in this case seem to be happening with much more frequency and he really isn't doing himself any favors lately in that regard, he's saying a lot of things which can be viewed as self-incriminating and could come back to bite him. I could be totally wrong and he could make it to the end of his term, but even then I highly doubt he'd be re-elected.

[McGarnagle]

Wouldn't really hate living in this timeline. What was the straw that broke the camel's back that led to Trump's resignation?

Probably something along the lines of money laundering. It may not be the straw that we have been expecting.

[McGarnagle]

If Trump resigns 2 months before the midterms then Democrats might be able to take the Senate and make huge gains in the House.

In this scenario, Democrats flip Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas, although Texas is very close. They manage to avoid losing any seats due to the unpopularity of the Republicans. Big gains are made in the House, which is retaken as well.

In 2019, the Senate is 53 D (including 2 I) and 47 R.

In 2020, Democrats flip Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina and Tennessee's other seat, with Lamar Alexander deciding to retire. This gives the Democrats a 60 seat supermajority.

Further gains are made in 2022, defying the usual trend of losses for the incumbent party during the midterms. 2026 is basically a wash like 1998. 2028 is a Democratic presidential win but Republicans gain a few Senate seats, later retaking the House and Senate in 2030.