One of the scary things about Trump is how loyal he's been to his most fringe supporters. After his"both sides" debacle, he briefly pivoted to a condemnation of racists, but reverted to his "both sides" rhetoric the next day. I think we can expect another fluctuation soon.
Trump's fandom is important to him. He loves the exaltation. White nationalists are part of that fandom, as are other right-wing extremists, and they are also part of a right wing that is sliding even further right thanks to Trump's demagoguery and Fox's propaganda.
Consider the fact that Sarah Sanders will be speaking at the same conference as QAnon conspiracy theorists and the man behind pizza gate. Can you imagine any other former press secretary speaking at a conference where the pizza gate guy is also speaking? thedailybeast.com/the-ultimate-f…
There is clearly a sometimes-awkward alliance between elites in Trump's circle & the far right fringe. Today, Hannity created a new talking point to lend cover to the far right: that white supremacy is a hoax. I believe Trump will embrace it. Perhaps not right away, but he will.
It's important to note the significance of Hannity, a major pro-Trump propagandist, insisting that white supremacy is a hoax within days of a massacre. This erasure is of crucial importance. It's a harbinger. Fascism requires a departure from reality, which was already underway.
Hannity is spinning a narrative where white supremacy is basically a conspiracy theory. Conspiracy theories play an important role in right-wing radicalization because investing in them initiates a departure from reality as others understand it.
The acceptance of a right-wing conspiracy theory opens the door to other adjustments in one's sense of reality. For example, a political fandom could accept that whatever their leader tells them is true, dead bodies notwithstanding.
We have seen a lot of this online. But thanks to Trump's cable news propaganda machine, we have also been watching it happen via television. Hannity's claim that white supremacy is a hoax is a significant moment in that progression.
Trump stated Monday that mental illness "pulls the trigger" when mass shootings occur. He also suggested that mentally ill people who are deemed dangerous should be preemptively committed. The potential implications of such a policy for opponents of fascism are chilling.
Trump will invoke mass shootings when he wants something. When the facts don't serve him, he will minimize or erase the role of white supremacy by continuing to demonize mental illness. We must frame this moment carefully and avoid empowering him further. truthout.org/articles/how-t…
Getting back to Trump's allegiance to his fringe-dwelling fans (who are already detached from reality) demonstrates that the right has a level of solidarity that we do not. I co-authored something last yr about the kind of solidarity we need to fight that. truthout.org/articles/the-m…
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