Trump built GOP into a big tent. Conservatives now threaten to tear it down.
President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites in June didn't just risk war − it posed a grave threat to his political capital within the conservative coalition he built.
Anti-war and nationalist conservatives strongly condemned the move and foreign policy hawks supported it. The clash threatened to pry apart the 'big tent' Republican Party.
The same is happening again − and with even more anger and dissent − over the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein controversy. There's plenty of heat rising from inside Trump's big tent.
The discord alone isn't cause for concern. It's good that Trump has an array of well-meaning voices weighing in. However, many influencers seized the opportunity to devolve into tribalism. Supporters of conservative politics should try to encourage thoughtful, productive debate without resorting to these tactics.
Once it became evident Trump would be the 2024 Republican candidate, conservatives rallied around him, along with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, health-focused Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporters and anti-war Tulsi Gabbard fans.
Trump was always destined to lead a personality cult. His brash demeanor, blunt words and disdain for establishment politics carried him through prosecutions, assassination attempts and a gut-punch loss in 2020 before delivering a second presidential term.
Trump 2024 was a truly remarkable example of consensus building among diverse interest groups.
This alliance works only if debate is tolerated, and the Iran operation threatened to bring the house down.
Those inside 'big tent' must respect each other's differences
In the aftermath of the Iran bombing, hawks like Sens. Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz praised the decision, while pundit Tucker Carlson condemned it harshly. These leaders debated the move across cable news and podcasts, each making defensible cases for or against striking the Islamist regime.
Online discourse, however, was far less reasonable. Personal attacks on dissenters and pronouncements of allegiance to Trump replace thoughtful responses in the personality cult.
Your Turn: Trump is unsuitable for office. But he was right to bomb Iran. | Opinion Forum
Immediately, the Trump loyalists drew the lines. If you dared question whether striking a sovereign nation would lead to another disastrous Middle East war, you were labeled a 'Panican,' a disloyal Republican who dared to doubt the Trump administration.
Activist Laura Loomer broadcast to her 1.7 million followers that those who questioned the strike were grifters and flip-floppers. Podcaster Luke Rudkowski responded to the 'loyalists' by compiling his own list of 'real ones,' or voices he perceived as sufficiently anti-intervention.
The Hodgetwins influencer duo even contradicted themselves, posting a pro-bombing message for their 6.5 million Facebook followers while criticizing the move on X in an attempt to appease both sides.
Political loyalty doesn't preclude policy disagreements
While social media feuds may seem trivial, they provide an interesting view of how some of the right's most outspoken supporters view this presidency. Entire elements on the right tout their 'loyalty' to Trump as some kind of badge.
Trump's big-tent party worked because of the tension between its elements. People felt there was room for discussion, and they could move the needle within their party by pleading their cases, either online or directly to the president.
Opinion: Trump used Epstein files to manipulate MAGA. Now he must ask their forgiveness.
The shameful gatekeeping the online conservatives engaged in recently risks mirroring the ideological rigidity of the Democratic Party: oppressive, homogenous and intolerant to the point of casting out New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Gabbard and even Kennedy.
Online conservatives will squander their popularity on social media and in popular culture if we keep up the circular firing squads. Let's Make America Graceful Again by challenging people when we disagree and then welcoming them back without grudges.
Reject the personality cult outright and hold our leaders accountable. Be loyal to the United States above all else, not to any one person or party.
Ethan Watson is a Young Voices contributor and incoming O'Connor Fellow at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
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