Disappointment on both sides as Trumpism transcends race

Narratives need to be updated, but they're not necessarily flattering for the GOP

The data-driven story of Trump’s reelection solidified within hours: his was a candidacy buoyed by a coalition of voters that was astonishingly multiracial by the standards of a Republican, and threateningly so by the standards of a Democrat. I’ve always wondered what cultural narrative could be spun from a second Trump victory, and with this outcome we’re closer to an answer.

As I said in a recent video, Trump’s movement elevated conspiracy theories, ignorance, vulgarity, and far-right ideas into the American political mainstream like never before. The fact Trump was not rejected by voters last Tuesday, despite displaying what was arguably the worst version of himself, and a version openly under the sway of cranks like Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson, suggests the most toxic version of Trumpism is actively desired by a narrow majority of Americans. But the numbers also suggest that majority was not particularly defined by race.