Critics of Trump typically assert that his political moves are motivated solely by a desire to be a bully, but in reality there’s a fairly complex political ideology behind them. It’s not new and it’s been in the works for decades, as Julius Ruechel points out in this Substack essay. No matter what you think of Trump, it’s important to understand the ideas that motivate him and his supporters. And it’s clear that Trump is not a fan of limited government.
In [Bannon’s] view, the only question was whether the future would be populist nationalism or populist socialism.
The populist nationalist is essentially Trump’s “Make America Great Again” or Putin’s conservative nationalism — state-regulated capitalist nation-states unashamedly acting to defend their national interests and acting for the collective benefit of their own citizens, much as nations have always done, but with both military and corporate might harnessed to an even greater degree to defend national interests and optimize society. Individuals and businesses inside the “national fortress” are largely left in peace to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” within the confines of the nation’s sandbox as long as their activities don’t impinge on national interests, even as the largest corporations are incentivized and/or coerced to pursue objectives that the political leaders believe will serve the country as a whole…
I don’t know if Bannon’s take is correct. I hope not. Honestly I have no idea what goes on in that orange head.
But holy crap that sounds fascist. And not fascist in the the way modern progressives define it (i.e., anything to the right of Bernie Sanders), but actual fascism from the first half of the 20th century. And Trump’s threats to annex foreign lands only adds to it.
So glad Ruechel’s piece is s being highlighted. The link is to Part 1,and Part 2 focuses specifically on the problem in Canada. Canada has been flirting with the global socialists (WEF, etc.) and we have been casual about the unacknowledged war China has been waging against the US. Neither of these are acceptable to the US with respect to its security needs. I learned a lot reading his piece, and I think he has nailed it. We have not been acting responsibly to our neighbor and we have become a liability to their security. Here is Part 2. It is great:
https://juliusruechel.substack.com/p/trumps-war-on-global-socialism-part-14f
Ruechel is a low-key and a truly brilliant guy.
“And it’s clear that Trump is not a fan of limited government.”
The writer conveniently forgets Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts, Trump’s vows to cut back on government regulations, charging department heads to eliminate 10 regulations for each new one proposed, curb agencies like the EPA and its insane regulations, removing government impediments to resource development, especially energy, eliminate the IRS, etc.
Not buying this at all. Note that Bannon has limited if any input into Trump 2.0.
What motivates Trump? Like he hasn’t explained this 50 different ways already. The current trajectory of the US leads to its destruction. Debt, economic collapse. Cultural degeneracy, drugs. An underclass of illegal cheap labor driving wages down and bringing in gangs to keep them in line. Trillions wasted through corruption, 3 letter agencies gone rogue. The US has to get their shit together or die. This is what Trump believes.