I remember walking downstairs on a summer day, turning on the news, and seeing something that has changed the course of American politics. I saw a man, not one whom I necessarily agreed with on most issues, but one who had the guts and charisma to say what he wanted without fear of ridicule from the usual media outlets. I am of course talking about the candidacy of Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, and even though the aforementioned media continues to ridicule him, Trump shows no signs of slowing down.
After another Republican debate, Trump continues to lead in the court of public opinion among potential GOP voters. Trump has surged to popularity ever since announcing his candidacy, and this should surprise nobody. His outsider’s perspective and charisma on the debate stage have proven to be valuable assets to his campaign. Trump has carried the segment of Republicans who are growing tired of the political establishment, but he has also attracted a new breed of voters who call themselves the “alt-right.”
The alt-right is comprised of mostly young people who are reactionaries to the authoritarian left. They disdain the political correctness and identity politics that have come to define the current year. They side with nationalists who believe that the biggest threat to Western society is mass immigration. To them, the migrant crisis in Europe is not a refugee situation but a loss of European heritage, so Trump’s hardline stance on both has enamored them (relevant clip begins at 4:30 ends at 6:12).
These people have idolized Trump – literally. Trump’s image can be found all over Facebook groups and message boards, usually with text praising him, often invoking the now memetic phrase “You Can’t Stump the Trump,” a reference to how Trump seems to have an answer to everything. The following image is one such exchange, detailing how Trump claimed China would benefit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, even though China is not part of the deal.
It is not only his opinions on immigration that have contributed to Trump’s popularity with the alt-right. Because of their nationalist beliefs, they love displays of American power, and no candidate has flexed his muscles like Trump. From butting heads with John Kasich about immigration policies in the November 10 debate (“You should let Jeb [Bush] speak”) to implying that Jeb’s brother and former president George W. Bush mishandled the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Trump has pulled no punches. And he clearly shares their disdain for political correctness and love for freedom of speech by saying whatever is on his mind – for better or for worse.
