The Man Who Wrote the Trump Playbook—30 Years Ago.
Apr 30, 2024
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Ari Berman discusses how Pat Buchanan's extreme ideas from the '90s are now reflected in Trump's politics. They delve into the evolution of white resentment, GOP's diversification challenge, and the lasting impact of Buchanan's influence on Republican strategies.
Trump's 2024 campaign platform echoes Pat Buchanan's anti-immigration stance from the '90s.
Buchanan's fusion of old-style racism with warnings about changing demographics influenced Trump's narrative.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Political Tactics: From Buchanan to Trump
Ari Berman, a voting rights reporter at Mother Jones, delves into his new book 'Minority Rule', tracing the lineage of Trumpism back to Pat Buchanan's political strategies. Berman explores how Buchanan's America-first platform, centering on anti-immigrant sentiments, laid the groundwork for Trump's political narrative. Despite Buchanan's repeated presidential campaign losses, his ideas survived, morphing into radical policies on immigration later embraced by Trump.
Racism as a Constant Ideology: Buchanan's Shifts and Successes
Pat Buchanan's trajectory from a Nixon speechwriter to a vocal figure against demographic change reveals a consistent theme of white resentment throughout his career. Buchanan's fusion of old-style racism with newer warnings about changing demographics marked a shift in Republican discourse. Although not a mainstream GOP nominee, Buchanan's ideas found resonance and were amplified by Trump with better packaging and a seemingly more receptive timing.
The Art of Racial Resentment Weaponization for Political Gain
As the GOP navigates demographic shifts and increasing diversity, Ari Berman highlights the party's strategic use of racial appeals to court voters. By leveraging issues like immigration to stoke racial resentment, the GOP seeks to maintain electoral power in the face of changing demographics. Berman underscores that while the GOP may show signs of diversity, white resentment remains a core element driving the party's appeal and strategy for maintaining political control.
In the ‘90s, Pat Buchanan was a fringe figure among Republicans whose positions on immigration and demographic change in the United States were considered too extreme for the party. Now, his ideas are what passes for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign platform.
Guest: Ari Berman, Mother Jones’ national voting rights correspondent and author of “Minority Rule.”
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