The First Civil War resulted in over half a million deaths. While there aren’t yet battlefields strewn with corpses, the recent shooting of a Trump rally attendee by an assassin underscores the danger. To Trump’s supporters, this man may become a martyr.
The nation is engulfed in a political conflict of unprecedented intensity, where even longstanding friendships are severed. The current climate could make Voltaire’s famous quote more apt, “I may disagree with you, but I will defend to the death my right to silence you.”
The source of this intense hatred is largely Donald Trump, a figure who elicits extreme reactions. From sneering at his appearance to criticizing his demeanor, the range of Trumpophobia is vast. Even among conservatives who might agree with his policies, there’s discomfort in openly supporting him. Critics like Alexander Downer have labeled him as ‘vulgar.’
Despite his policies showing positive results—no wars, increased prosperity, reviving industry, and falling unemployment—Trump’s detractors focus on his personality rather than his achievements. The Deep State or ‘Blob’ attacks him relentlessly because they can’t fault his record. They use hysterical rhetoric to paint him as a fascist or dictator.
The elite institutions—legal, financial, educational, and media—have become adversaries of democracy. Unelected bureaucrats, often indifferent or overbearing, treat citizens like subjects. Whether it’s handling immigration, social media censorship, or climate policies, these bureaucracies impose their will regardless of public opinion.
The Deep State despises Trump for threatening their power and disrupting their cozy political world. They fear his potential to dismantle their influence, and they are determined to stop him at any cost.
Should they succeed, America might see more incidents like January 6. If Trump wins, the escalating hatred against him and his supporters could trigger widespread violence. Cities might erupt in flames, riots could become common, and Trump’s inauguration could be marred by extreme resistance. Assassination threats are a real concern.
Lincoln’s plea for peace in 1865, “With malice towards none, with charity towards all,” seems a distant ideal. Today, whether Trump wins or loses, the nation’s divisions may be irreparable. If America falls apart, it will have far-reaching consequences for all.