By Matt Underwood It’s looking like Trump’s second term has, in many ways, signaled the end of the conservative era as we knew it. This isn’t just a shift in political strategy; it’s a fundamental reimagining of what conservatism actually *is*. The old guard, those voices that once represented a more traditional, thoughtful approach, are now largely irrelevant. The rise of MAGA and its fervent supporters has exposed a raw, unvarnished form of conservatism that was always lurking beneath the surface.
This “mask-off conservatism” has cast aside the pretense of civility and replaced it with a direct embrace of previously unspoken desires. What was once couched in careful rhetoric is now laid bare: a zero-sum worldview where certain groups are seen as deserving of everything, while others are deemed the “rabble” to be purged. This isn’t just a political disagreement; it’s a fundamental clash of values, one that reveals a core of sadism and a desire to dominate.
The influence of MAGA is undeniable. It’s essentially Trump’s second term that marked the culmination of 50 years of conservative policies that favored the rich, damaged the middle class, and demonized minorities. It represents a shift from the pretense of governance to the raw power grabs. While some cling to the hope that a more “reasonable” faction will emerge, the reality is that the core of conservatism has always had elements of authoritarianism and a strong sense of in-group and out-group dynamics.
The dismantling of norms, the embrace of corruption, the blatant disregard for truth – these aren’t aberrations; they’re the logical outcomes of a movement that’s always been fueled by fear and resentment. The long-term effects of this shift are difficult to predict, but one thing is certain: the Republican Party, and indeed the entire political landscape, will never be the same. The gloves are off.
Even those who consider themselves conservatives are now forced to confront the reality that the policies they supported under the guise of fiscal responsibility, small government, and constitutionalism were, in many ways, paving the way for the chaos we see today. The reliance on conspiracy theories, the erosion of democratic institutions, the willingness to embrace authoritarian tactics – these are the consequences of a movement that has lost its way.
The shift isn’t just in the political arena; it’s also in the societal one. The values of greed, corruption, and the dehumanization of others now seem to be in the driving seat. The “conservatives” are not going anywhere. Many humans are deeply conservative creatures by nature. They balk at surprises and differences and want everything to be predictable and comfortable and uniform. They bristle at the ever-changing ever-growing nature of the world. So they shit all over it. Trump will be gone someday but human nature will remain.
Ultimately, Trump’s second term has exposed the true nature of the beast. The facade of the old Republican Party, with its carefully constructed image of respectability, has crumbled. We are now left with a movement that is less concerned with governing and more focused on consolidating power and crushing its opponents. Whether this represents the end of the conservative era or the beginning of something even more dangerous remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the landscape has been irrevocably altered.