The Trump era is fraught with juvenile, insulting, and routinely hysterical behavior – and it’s coming from both sides of the aisle.
While the past few years have been dominated by a candidate-turned-president who often displays a lack of character, it’s also been colored by a media complex that has become laser-focused on not just reporting events, but acting as supposedly heroic resisters of a threatening administration.
In short, it’s been exhausting.
Democrats were going to be against the GOP’s 2016 presidential nominee no matter who was chosen. The hatred they possess for this Republican president, though undeniably more passionate than previous years, is not at all surprising. This is the nature of the partisan political climate.
On the other hand, Republicans were all but told to uncritically support Donald Trump on both the campaign trail and once he assumed office. A great number of those who voted for him have been doing and will continue to do just that. Their allegiance is to party. Because of this, they have few reservations about our commander-in-chief. If they come across anything questionable, they’ll often quickly dismiss it in favor of the ultimate goal: owning the Libs.
Those of us on the Right side of the political aisle who focus on principle most of all, and refuse to blindly follow anyone or any party, have had a difficult time finding a friendly territory. Democrats may look favorably in our direction when we criticize President Trump and his administration. Once we applaud a policy or statement, though, that warmth turns to chill. We receive much the same from Republicans who refuse us when we question their leader yet draw near in brief unity during times of agreement.
Residents of this political hinterland wonder how we’ll survive not just the remaining years of the Trump administration, but the ones beyond that. Do we suspend our core beliefs and join with Democrats against a force that we know too often chips away at decency? Do we cling to those closest to us ideologically and turn a blind eye to what we know to be wrong?
For me, the answer is clear: We must plant our feet and remain in the midst of competing political forces, no matter how uncomfortable it becomes. One day, Trump will complete his term (or terms) in the Oval Office. At that time, the only thing that remains of the previous years will be the weathered reputations of those who witnessed and commented on it. Days, weeks, and months of headlines and outrage will blur together. Most individuals will be branded as either having been an unquestioning supporter of the president or firmly against him.
Meanwhile, those who did not attach their love or hate to one man won’t have to change a thing. Once Trump leaves the political stage, the Resistance and MAGA crowds must prepare for the next batch of demagogues and reset their narratives accordingly. A loyalty that is anchored to principle will applaud the good and criticize the bad without fear of alienation from a larger group and without requiring a shift in thinking.
This middle ground is where I find myself 15 months into the Trump presidency. It is regularly unpleasant as I receive strong ridicule from both sides. Still, I believe there is no other place I can stand in these challenging times as well as the ones that are sure to come.
Others, such as S.E. Cupp, can relate.
Those welcome at the table of continuing conversation are the ones who make up the diehard for/against crowds. When anyone in the middle steps between the two and challenges the parties to carefully look at their hypocrisies, they are scolded. However, it is hardly surprising that a post-election reality would hold so fiercely to the same binary thought that pervaded the campaign season.
Yes, the country has a two-party system and that will remain into the near future. But in the Trump age, establishing one’s self as a political critic, irrespective of the status quo, is a must to keep your reputation intact well after this chapter closes.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a senior contributor at RedState.com.
