Henry Olsen

Senior Fellow

Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, is a globally recognized expert on American elections and policy as well as global populism.

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Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Polic Center, is a globally recognized expert on American elections and policy as well as global populism. His 20-year record of highly accurate U.S. Presidential and Congressional election predictions includes calling the 2024 U.S. Presidential race for Donald Trump while noting Trump could win the popular vote – an outcome that shocked most analysts. He also follows and regularly comments on elections around the world, especially in Europe and the Americas.

He writes a weekly column on the U.S. midterms for the Washington Post, and biweekly articles on American domestic and foreign policy for National Review Online and the Washington Examiner. He writes biweekly about the U.S.-European relationship and European politics for Brussels Signal. Mr. Olsen’s work has also been published in the New York Times, POLITICO, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, the Guardian, the Telegraph, and many other leading publications.

Mr. Olsen is a frequently requested speaker on U.S. politics and the rise of global populism both within the United States and in many countries in Europe and Asia. He hosts two regular podcasts – Beyond the Polls, which examines U.S. politics every week, and Conservative Crossroads, which explores policy differences among American conservatives every other week. He also teaches in the D.C. Graduate Program at Hillsdale College, and has previously taught at Villanova University, Arizona State University, and the Catholic University of America.

Mr. Olsen is the author of The Working-Class Republican: Ronald Reagan and the Return of Blue-Collar Conservatism and the co-author, with University of New Hampshire Professor Dante J. Scala, of The Four Faces of the Republican Party.

He holds a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

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What a death and a withdrawal could mean for the Senate

Henry Olsen

It seemed as if the Senate playing field was nearly set two weeks ago, with only Michigan’s Democratic primary left…

Articles

The Washington Post / July 15, 2026

Le Pen’s real second-round test is the comfortable bourgeoisie

Henry Olsen

Marine Le Pen’s decision to enter the 2027 presidential race following a court ruling removing her ban on running has…

Articles

Brussels Signal / July 14, 2026

The Supreme Court just handed Republicans a midterm lifeline

Henry Olsen

Last week’s Supreme Court decision in NRSC v. FEC altered decades of campaign finance law. It might also have changed the trajectory…

Articles

Washington Post / July 8, 2026

Romania’s deadlock shows the cost of shutting out populists

Henry Olsen

Romania is now into its third month under a caretaker government with no end in sight. The original four-party coalition,…

Articles

Brussels Signal / July 7, 2026

Democrats are facing their MAGA moment. Good luck containing it.

Henry Olsen

The Democratic Socialists of America had another good night in Colorado on Tuesday as DSA member Melat Kiros easily unseated 15-term incumbent…

Articles

Washington Post / July 1, 2026

America’s Vision Statement

Henry Olsen

America is known as a land of entrepreneurship and a country that continually reinvents itself while retaining a commitment to…

Articles

Washington Free Beacon / June 28, 2026

America’s Vision Statement

Henry Olsen

America is known as a land of entrepreneurship and a country that continually reinvents itself while retaining a commitment to…

Articles

The Washington Free Beacon / June 28, 2026

German Left want to use anti-democratic means to ban democratic rise of AfD

Henry Olsen

The Alternative for Germany (AfD)’s upcoming party conference on July 4-5 will come as the national populist organisation leads in both national and state…

Articles

Brussels Signal / June 26, 2026

Fund defense now or watch Democrats gut it later

Henry Olsen

Congressional Republicans are understandably leery of passing a third reconciliation bill so close to an election, especially one that spends $350 billion to…

Articles

Washington Examiner / June 25, 2026

Trump’s understudy faces a fascinating audition

Henry Olsen

Those wondering why Vice President JD Vance is heading the team negotiating the final peace settlement with Iran should recall…

Articles

The Washington Post / June 24, 2026

Can Burnham marry substance and programme to match his personal charisma?

Henry Olsen

The impending coronation of Andrew Burnham as leader of Britain’s Labour Party, and hence as Prime Minister, will do more…

Articles

Brussels Signal / June 23, 2026

Fusionism for the 21st Century

Henry Olsen

Donald Trump’s second term has produced some seismic shifts in American policy and politics. His popular-vote victory shocked Democrats, sending…

Articles

National Affairs / June 22, 2026

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Conservative Crossroads

Conservative Crossroads, a new podcast from Henry Olsen, gives a sharply honest and revealing look at the issues dividing the conservative movement.


Beyond the Polls

Each week, Senior Fellow Henry Olsen examines the facts and figures, twists and turns that shape the ongoing 2024 presidential and congressional races.

Conservative Crossroads

Conservative Crossroads, a new podcast from Henry Olsen, gives a sharply honest and revealing look at the issues dividing the conservative movement.


Beyond the Polls

Each week, Senior Fellow Henry Olsen examines the facts and figures, twists and turns that shape the ongoing 2024 presidential and congressional races.