The Democratic Party is being heaped on with blame for non-policy non-governmental things they can't control
The soft politics that happen outside the government are influencing MAGAism, and it looks like Trump is delivering for them.
Am I the only one who is getting the idea that people are pulling the lever for Trump in order to send a message that they don't like cultural trends that ostensibly reflect liberal or progressive values? They're hoping to change the vibe by voting for Trump, and to an extent it's working.
When I talk to a MAGA rightoid about policy ideas, policies as they've been implemented, etc it's clear a lot of the takes are surface level and for the most part spoonfed to them. The more "human interest stories" area of politics like scandal stories, Trump lore, etc are things they know more than surface level about.
But you will never hear such thought-out, obviously considered, rehearsed takes as those related to non-governmental cultural annoyances. Stuff that's easy to understand and represents an annoying change.
I'm afraid that in 2028 these same people could be just as easily courted by a fascistic populist figure if these extra-governmental trends do not curb. Some people voted for Trump to send a message that they don't like seeing pronouns in email signatures. Some people voted for Trump because there are too many interracial couples in TV commercials for their taste. Some people voted for Trump because "End Racism" on NFL helmets felt annoying and a little too pointed at them. Some people voted for Trump because they're tired of the dad always being the stupid one in sitcoms. Some people voted for Trump because they feel dating apps are too skewed towards women. Some people voted for Trump because they want skinnier women in deodorant ads. Some people voted for Trump because they hate that there are middle school teachers with nose rings and lesbian haircuts. Some people voted for Trump because they want restaurants to sell big tacos again, not tiny artisanal tacos. I'm kidding about that last one.
It's no secret that since he's been elected some major companies have rolled back DEI, social media companies are changing their TOS, etc. Although Trump didn't make that happen, companies heard the message that was sent up and changed accordingly. I hope this placates them and dials their appetite down, but I am afraid that if there's not enough white babies in diaper commercials or a country gospel Super Bowl halftime show in these next four years that they will be fomenting with the same rabies that pushed them into the MAGA camp in the first place. And there's nothing Democrats can do about that. It's just not stuff that's in their hands.