"All or nothing" is weak and effeminate
Republicans need to stand on principle, not cult-like loyalty to one man. This idolatry must stop.
I am a conservative. I have spent 30 years advocating for conservative social policy, protecting the unborn, preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman, opposing transgender theology, defending private property rights, supporting law and order, opposing oppressive government regulations and supporting cutting both taxes and spending. Nonetheless, I am regularly described as a “liberal” when I criticize President Trump’s language.
At Charlie Kirk’s funeral a couple weeks ago, an occasion testifying to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope it gives to Believers, President Trump contrasted himself with Kirk. While Kirk had no animosity for his political opponents and wants the best for them, Trump admitted he “hates” his opponents. It was a wildly inappropriate statement at a funeral. Even taking the most charitable interpretation of President Trump’s statement, that it was self-deprecating humor about his own personal flaws, there is something called “time and place.” A funeral is obviously not the time and place for that, and the President needs to grow up.
The response: I am spouting “Leftist” views and I “hate” President Trump. The latter represents what Jonah Goldberg refers to as “Critical Trump Theory.” You cannot have substantive disagreements with Trump. You must “hate” him. It is a very childish response.
But the former response is also telling. If you disagree with Trump’s rhetoric, you are a “liberal.” If you disagree with Trump, you are assumed to be on the other side of a wide range of issues. This is not just a few cranks on social media. David French described this phenomenon where people ascribe all kinds of Leftist views to him because he voted against President Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Even when Trump is proposing more gun control (like his bump stock ban) or a dramatic increase in COVID-19 spending, or liberalizing the Republican Party’s stand on abortion, if you are not on board you are a “liberal.” It is not just a cult mentality, it is a lie.
Folks, Donald Trump is 79 years old. He is older than Joe Biden was at this time in 2021. He might be around for another 15-20 years, but he will only be President for another three and a half. We have to stop basing our entire political worldview on whether someone is sufficiently “loyal” to one man and instead examine what positions that critic actually holds. We have to get back to being a party and a movement that is based on principle, not total loyalty to one man. Sadly, many of Trump’s most enthusiastic supporters are as brittle as he is, and have meltdowns whenever Dear Leader is criticized. This is not mature or manly behavior.