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Culture War Roundup for the week of May 29, 2023

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So it goes with Trump. Through Trump's eyes, it's not a policy issue, it's a good versus evil issue. The swamp is destroying America and selling the remains to globalist.

Trump can’t even describe how the swamp is destroying America. That’s exactly what Hanania says. Trump is probably the most pro-vaccine prominent politician in the GOP because he couldn’t let go of his personal belief that it’s a great achievement even as the base radicalized beyond him. Trump can’t explain why he isn’t a ‘globalist’.

I agree that Trump is the original, the real deal. But the real deal is a consummate showman, not a serious person. Some call it catharsis but it’s not really that, it’s entertainment. Trump is an entertaining guy, personally. He’s very funny. You can laugh at and with him, which is rare. He’s a great American character, not a demagogue, and that’s why Hanania thinks he’ll win (the primary).

Trump can’t explain why he isn’t a ‘globalist’.

Didn't he kill off international trade treaties ?

Didn't he promise to scale back NATO, and was seen as a threat because of that ?

Didn't he start a escalate a trade conflict with China

I'd say he could explain how he isn't a globalist.

Trump is probably the most pro-vaccine prominent politician in the GOP because he couldn’t let go of his personal belief that it’s a great achievement even as the base radicalized beyond him.

His narcissism helps him here.

He dies on hills he probably shouldn't, just to be stubborn.

But I guess it can come across as a costly signal of sincerity (or at least spine, something many of his 2016 competitors seemed to lack)

The fact that it causes the outgroup to attack him even more for this might be a secondary benefit of Republicans feel obligated to close ranks.