Author Govert SchullerPosted on Categories Politics It looks to me that the libertarian movement, like the GOP and the Tea Party, is falling apart over the Trump phenomenon. One faction sees Trump as someone who is ignorant of, even a danger to, libertarian and constitutional principles and therefore should not be followed, while another faction thinks Trump will restore a coveted free market, repeal trade agreements, and will take on the statist establishment.
Maybe the most important libertarian voice to have turned against Trump is of the grand old man of libertarian politics, Ron Paul, and he doesn’t mince words:
“Trump’s notoriety comes from his aggressive nature and his personal attacks on individuals as well as groups, along with his bold proposals to violate civil liberties. He never abdicates ideological position, but portrays himself as a strong efficient boss for the people. He forcefully promotes an authoritarian type of government. Trump is a bully, not a physical bully, a verbal bully and that is combined with the overblown fears generated by the possibility of violent attacks against us. In reality Trump, in spite of his bombast is a fraud.”[1]
Besides Paul also libertarian luminaries like Jacob Hornberger, founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation, and Ludwig von Mises scholar Dr. Richard Ebeling sound the alarm about Trump. In a recorded conversation both men could agree that of the remaining Republican candidates Trump poses the biggest danger to freedom because of his arrogance, authoritarianism, playing to the lowest common denominator, and strongman inclinations.[2]
Former New Mexico governor and leader of the Libertarian Party Gary Johnson is also opposed to Trump. He thinks some of Trump’s positions are “just whacked—just nuts. Holy cow! It’s crazy!”[3] His party’s chairman compared Trump’s positions with theirs and does not see much in common.[4]
Another anti-Trump libertarian worth mentioning is radio talk show host Glenn Beck. He quoted medical professionals who think that Trump is a “pathological narcissistic sociopath” and warned that “Donald Trump or anyone that is a big government progressive with narcissistic tendencies who will preach populism and nationalism in a time of economic and social unrest is a dangerous road to go down.”[5]
Then there is a growing group of pro-Trump libertarians, many of whom have come out since Ron Paul dropped out of the presidential race. For example the editors of LewRockwell.com, Walter Block and Donald Miller, have started Libertarians for Trump based on their assessment that Trump is the “the most congruent with our perspective”.[6] The Tea Party movement seems to back Trump through Sarah Palin’s incoherent endorsement and by other TP founders.[7] And conspiricist-in-chief Alex Jones is also on board based on alleged insider rumors fed to him by former Trump confidante and political strategist Roger Stone and author and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi. Jones now thinks that “Trump is for real”, meaning Trump is aware of the New World Order cabal and will oppose it “above ground” once in office as Jones has done for years “underground”.[8]
And then there are the dissidents in the different organizations. For example, founders of RonPaul.org have officially distanced themselves from Ron Paul and see Trump as “the only rational choice left in the presidential race for those of us who hold liberty dear.”[9] And some prominent Tea Party members have turned against Trump calling him a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.[10]
All in all, the Trump phenomenon is not only polarizing the country, but more interestingly, all major conservative movements and parties with the possible effect of outright schisms. The reason why this is happening is in my opinion that libertarian and status quo conservatives with a medium to high authoritarian disposition are increasingly perceiving both real and imaginary threats such that their intolerance levels are increasing and become attracted to an authoritarian, fascist-lite conservative like Trump.[11]
It looks to me that their need for a bullying strongman to take on the political establishment trumps their sense of individualistic liberty and personal responsibility, and that they are ready to “walk away” from most of the thousand and one little and big deals which keeps this country together.
Naperville, 31 Mar 2016.
Originally posted on Facebook.
[1]. Paul, Ron. “Donald Trump: The Establishment Candidate“. Liberty Report. 18 Dec 2015.
[2]. Hornberger, Jacob & Richard Ebeling. “Libertarian Angle: Why People Are Supporting Trump“. The Future of Freedom Foundation. 22 Mar 2016.
[3]. Gillespie, Nick. “Exclusive: Gary Johnson Running For President, Call Trump’s Plans “Just Whacked – Just Nuts!“. Reason Magazine. 6 Jan 2016.
[4]. Libertarian Party. Press release. “Libertarians versus Donald Trump“.
[5]. Beck, Glen. Facebook. 26 Jan 2016.
[6]. Block, Walter. “Libertarians for Trump“. LewRockwell.com. 15 Mar 2016.
[7]. Miller, S.A. “Donald Trump enjoys support of tea party movement that refuses to fully embrace him“. The Washington Times. 22 Nov 2015.
[8]. Jones, Alex. “Breaking: New Trump Scandal, Devastating Info Released“. Info Wars. 18 Mar 2016.
[9]. Tim Martin, Esther Anderson, Jeff Hale. “RonPaul.com Founders Endorse Donald Trump for President“. RonPaul.com. 29 feb 2016.
[10]. “Tea Party leader: Trump a wolf in sheep’s clothing“. The Hill. 4 Mar 2016.
[11]. Schuller, Govert. “On Trump: Intolerance and Authoritarianism“. Alpheus. 20 Feb 2017.