Taylor Swfit, Trump, and the Right’s Abormality Problem. The right is furious that Taylor Swfit, a pop star, has endorsed a Democrat for president. They see this as a betrayal of their values and an attack on their identity. They are also concerned that Swfit’s endorsement will encourage other celebrities to speak out against the right. This could lead to a loss of support for the right among young people and other groups that are important to the right’s electoral success.
Taylor Swift, Trump, and the Abnormality Problem
In this opinion piece, Ross Douthat delves into the complex relationship between Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, and the abnormality problem within the conservative landscape. Douthat argues that the right’s inability to embrace normalcy, even in cultural developments that align with their values, is a self-defeating strategy that alienates potential supporters and undermines their political goals.
Swift’s Politics and the Conservative Backlash
Taylor Swift’s foray into partisan politics in 2018 and 2020 drew mixed reactions from the conservative camp. While some Republicans remained indifferent or even supportive, a vocal faction within the party expressed hostility toward the singer. This antipathy intensified with Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce, a football player known for his conservative leanings.
The Bizarre Reaction to the Swift-Kelce Romance
The conservative response to the Swift-Kelce romance was particularly bizarre, with some online influencers suggesting that the relationship was a carefully crafted political propaganda campaign aimed at boosting Biden’s re-election bid. Douthat dismisses this theory as a silly conspiracy theory, arguing that celebrity endorsements have a limited impact on electoral outcomes.
The Deeper Issue: Rejecting Normalcy
Beyond the electoral implications, Douthat argues that the right’s rejection of the Swift-Kelce romance highlights a deeper issue: their inability to embrace normalcy. The romance, with its traditionalist archetypes and conservative-coded iconography, should have been welcomed by the right. However, their opposition to Swift’s liberal politics and Kelce’s vaccine advocacy led them to reject a cultural development that aligned with their own values.
The Consequences of Abnormality
Douthat argues that the right’s self-defeating weirdness, stemming from the realignment of ideological shifts during the Trump era and the overlearned lesson of Trump’s election, has alienated potential supporters and hindered their ability to achieve stability and broaden their coalition.
Wrapping Up
Douthat concludes that the right’s abnormality problem, exemplified by their rejection of cultural developments like the Swift-Kelce romance, is a major obstacle to their political success. He emphasizes the need for the right to embrace normalcy, find a balance between destabilization and stability, and avoid seeing every cultural development through a partisan lens. By doing so, they can broaden their appeal and create a more inclusive and sustainable political coalition.
FAQ’s
1. What is the “abnormality problem” that Ross Douthat discusses in his opinion piece?
Douthat argues that the right’s inability to embrace normalcy, even in cultural developments that align with their values, is a self-defeating strategy that alienates potential supporters and undermines their political goals.
2. How did Taylor Swift’s foray into partisan politics in 2018 and 2020 affect her relationship with the conservative camp?
While some Republicans remained indifferent or even supportive, a vocal faction within the party expressed hostility toward the singer. This antipathy intensified with Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce, a football player known for his conservative leanings.
3. What was the conservative reaction to the Swift-Kelce romance?
The conservative response to the Swift-Kelce romance was particularly bizarre, with some online influencers suggesting that the relationship was a carefully crafted political propaganda campaign aimed at boosting Biden’s re-election bid.
4. Why does Douthat argue that the right’s rejection of the Swift-Kelce romance is a deeper issue?
Douthat argues that the right’s rejection of the Swift-Kelce romance highlights their inability to embrace normalcy. The romance, with its traditionalist archetypes and conservative-coded iconography, should have been welcomed by the right. However, their opposition to Swift’s liberal politics and Kelce’s vaccine advocacy led them to reject a cultural development that aligned with their own values.
5. What are the consequences of the right’s abnormality problem, according to Douthat?
Douthat argues that the right’s self-defeating weirdness has alienated potential supporters and hindered their ability to achieve stability and broaden their coalition.
