Staff Reports
The left spent four long years reveling in their disdain for MAGA supporters, branding them as everything from “garbage” to “anti-American.” They focused on their so-called “woke” politics and utilized lawfare tactics to silence any dissenting voices. Yet, in a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump managed to flip the script, emerging victorious in what political historian Craig Shirley aptly described as a culture war. It seems the tide has finally turned, with the elites getting a taste of their own medicine.
Shirley pointed out that some elections hinge on economics, like in 1932, or on foreign policy, as seen in 1960. However, the recent election was a battle of cultural ideologies. On one side stood the insular elites, snooty and out of touch, while on the other was a coalition of working-class Americans tired of being belittled. The disdain the so-called “upper crust” has for everyday Americans has become a badge of honor for many in the MAGA camp, and Trump’s latest win illustrates that beautifully.
Several factors contributed to Trump’s resurgence, such as bolstering his support among men and making significant inroads with Hispanic and Black voters. His strategic ground game and early voting initiatives also played pivotal roles. The irony isn’t lost that a man who went from flipping burgers to the Oval Office in a couple of weeks is now enshrined in the American Dream narrative—though many on the left can’t stand the thought.
The overarching theme, as noted by Shirley, was Trump amplifying the voices of the working class, echoing his 2016 triumph over Hillary Clinton. But this time around, he was up against an entrenched enemy that savored every chance to gloat after his loss to Joe Biden in 2020, even after enduring two impeachments. Trump seems to have resonated deeply with common-sense Americans, making it clear that he understands and embodies their values.
Trump trounced elites and won ‘war of cultures’ @CraigSmpa 'This was a war of cultures. This was us versus them, the insular elites. 'https://t.co/1LJ9rblB1w via @dcexaminer pic.twitter.com/rUCs88aZ1U
— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) November 6, 2024
Shirley also pointed out that not only did Trump’s victory shift the GOP coalition to embrace more diverse demographics, but it also represents a generational shift within the party itself. As he aptly noted, this evolution has roots dating back to Barry Goldwater in 1964, who broke the party away from country club elites. Trump has seemingly completed this transformation, proving that the Republican Party is becoming a true reflection of the people—outside the bubble of elitist culture.
Polling experts like Sarah Matheson Steeby agree that the media and the political elite drastically miscalculated the sentiments of average Americans. They underestimated the power of Trump’s message, and their inability to shove their narrative down voters’ throats is being outright celebrated. In a stunning twist, Trump’s victory was not just a political win; it stood as a cultural statement—a resounding rejection of the big, corrupt culture that had been foisted upon the American populace.
Trump faced a volley of legal battles, threats of incarceration, and an unrelenting assault from the left—all designed to tarnish his reputation. Yet, he stood tall, embodying the spirit of resilience against what has now become classic overreach by an increasingly desperate radical left. The message resonates: Trump’s latest victory is about the people reclaiming their voice in the midst of a distorted media landscape that continues to spiral into irrelevance.
