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Welp, turns out more Epstein files are finally getting released!
Apparently there will be a vote coming out to release even more, but the docs released so far have been negative for Trump's claims to be innocent of the whole matter.
This, combined with the ruckus over Trump arguing we need foreign talent, has caused a massive cratering amongst online confidence in MAGA. From my perspective, confidence in MAGA at least online is the lowest it has ever been. Many feel betrayed by Trump when it comes to his America First promises.
Add in the storm over Fuentes and Israel, and I feel I'm seeing the conservative coalition fall apart in real time, extremely quickly.
Is this inevitable, the narcissism of small differences? Or is it just Trump not being a very principled man?
In part, it’s something like the narcissism of small differences, but more specifically it’s the nature of coalitions and the big-tent two party system.
When out of power (or at risk of losing power), the optimal move is to rally around a unifying platform or candidate who can both rally the base and bring in independent/non-aligned voters. Typically this involves sweeping major differences in ideology, policy, and values under the rug for the sake of winning the next election. Strange bedfellows and all that.
When in power, the optimal move is to fight and horse-trade for your niche, sectional interests, in the hopes that the aforementioned bedfellows just don’t care as much as you do, or are willing to compromise for something else in return.
The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been.
The unstated irony in all of this, funny enough, is when all the major parties talk of unity and coming together to defeat the other side, you’re still mandated to follow rank and file under their banner. “Everyone has to be united under my way of thinking. I’m not budging for anyone else!” Nick Fuentes can make the same argument. Is the Republican Party going to move in his direction? That was always the clearest admission to me of the gatekeeping of the party duopoly.
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