The far right in America these days has rebranded itself. No longer are they the Tea Party or the party of Reagan; they are the alternative right (alt-right). This movement, popularized by Donald Trump, is essentially an offshoot of mainstream conservatism that thrives more on nationalism and xenophobia than foreign policy and fiscal responsibility. While many have written articles regarding the bigotry of Donald Trump, I believe that that distinction is less concerning than the bigotry of his followers. As many others have said, even if Donald Trump isn’t bigoted (or racist, or sexist, or a Klansman, or a neo-Nazi) he certainly is the No. 1 candidate of those who are.
Trump’s alt-right movement formed early in the primary season as a result of his anti-establishment rhetoric and his insistence on funding his own campaign. The immediate result was a schism between his movement and the rest of the party. As the divide widened with every debate, the alt-right picked up more and more disenchanted Republican voters. As the pool of voters supporting the alt-right increased, so did the number of unsavory characters and characteristics within it.
The alt-right, particularly after the defeat of all other Republican candidates, has become a broad coalition of voters ranging from moderate Republicans who prefer Trump to Hillary Clinton to rabid ultra-nationalists in favor of isolationism instead of globalization. Within this range of voters lies a sinister middle ground, complacent with — and even accepting of — bigotry of all sorts.
This may seem like a rash generalization, but the sheer lack of pushback from both the Trump campaign and alt-right itself are worrying. Just take a look at official Twitter spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Katrina Pierson. Or at Trump supporter and Breitbart columnist Milo Yiannopoulos. Or what about Trump’s “Evangelical Executive Advisory Board,” which includes many strongly anti-gay pastors and political figures, one of whom is a proponent for the psychologically damaging “ex-gay” therapy.
Those public figures are only the surface-level problem — even more hateful rhetoric lies within the less high profile support the campaign receives. The online presence of Trump supporters should also be considered, with support ranging from a subreddit to a white supremacist website called “Stormfront.”
Outside of Trump’s confusing disavowal of David Duke, he has done little to distance himself or his movement from the more radical elements within it. Similarly, members of the alt-right itself have done little to temper the growing hatred and bigotry it espouses. Trump certainly doesn’t help as his vague, misleading and often bigoted rhetoric are what brought the white nationalists and anti-gay leaders to the same table in the first place.
Why is this so dangerous? Perhaps it’s just my fear of slipping backward. America has made great progress since the 1960s, with an overall increase of tolerance for all peoples in politics. It has become passé to preach hate, racism and bigotry openly from the political podium. What the alt-right has done is legitimize bigoted political speech again. Not only that, but the movement almost seems to encourage it. I fear Americans might once again cheer on George Wallace-esque language from our politicians. If we normalize hate, the only direction this country will go in is backward.