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It's true that Trumpism is all about racism, sexism & bigotry. It's not true that his base can be persuaded by socialism.
But--and this is big--Trump does have something that Pat Buchanan and David Duke didn't. And it's not entirely clear that any other fascist can replicate it.
But--and this is big--Trump does have something that Pat Buchanan and David Duke didn't. And it's not entirely clear that any other fascist can replicate it.
Back in 2016 to 2018 I was one of those guys who argued that Trumpism *couldn't* just be about the bigotry and sexism, and that left populism could win over a chunk of his base.
I based that in part on that fact that David Duke & Pat Buchanan had failed so miserably before. /2
I based that in part on that fact that David Duke & Pat Buchanan had failed so miserably before. /2
And there's still something to that. I've grown cold to the idea that *any* form of leftism could persuade the Trump Cult. They're long gone.
But it remains true that there is something...more somehow to Trump's appeal than the bigotries of his base. /3
But it remains true that there is something...more somehow to Trump's appeal than the bigotries of his base. /3
And I don't, in fact, think that that something is "populism." Because while he may have been "populist" in 2016, he long since stopped being that. He's your bog standard Republican now.
But what he is, is a larger-than-life celebrity you can't look away from. /4
But what he is, is a larger-than-life celebrity you can't look away from. /4
And I think we have to take a long, hard look at the implications of that. And consider what similarly made Obama such an extraordinary talent. And that policy may not have much to do with it.
(and no, i don't think it's just limited to men.) /5
(and no, i don't think it's just limited to men.) /5
But the bright side is that I'm not sure any other Republican, be it Tucker Carlson or Tom Cotton or Nikki Haley or anyone else, will be able to pull out 69 million votes again. Trump is kind of unique in both politics & showbusiness.
I could be wrong. But worth wondering. /end
I could be wrong. But worth wondering. /end
