I Was Formerly A 'Never Trump' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Was Formerly A 'Never Trump'

Fellow conservatives, Is "I told you so" really worth anything?

20
I Was Formerly A 'Never Trump'

The 2016 Republican presidential primary season was brutal, to say the least. It was a political roller coaster that shook the status quo of American politics to its core. At the end of it all, out of 17 nationally prominent and influential Republican candidates, Donald J. Trump emerged as the party's nominee for President of the United States.

Yes, that Donald J. Trump. The Donald Trump that said, "You're fired" to countless competitors, celebrity or not, on The Apprentice. The same Donald Trump that bodyslammed WWE's Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania XXIII.


Watching Trump's final speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, I couldn't stop thinking, "How did we get here?" On Twitter, Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report said it best:

I've always had a passion for American history and American politics. Raised a conservative, I've taken to reading, listening and studying the ins-and-outs of the American political system- from the ratification of the Constitution through FDR's New Deal to the corrupt and broken status of Washington today.

It's not a hobby or interest I would recommend to anyone unless you enjoy pulling out your own hair. But I love my country, I love the American experiment and I know that the world is where it is today because of the United States and the truths enshrined in the Constitution.

So today, I'm choosing to say those three little words that so many people, especially high-ranking politicians, political commentators and thought leaders refuse to say:

I was wrong.

I was wrong about Donald Trump's candidacy for President of the United States. I was wrong about his campaign, his supporters and the Trump movement overall.

Most importantly, I was wrong to say I was #NeverTrump.

I was so wrong about millions of Americans. I misunderstood them in a way that was so wrong that it sickens me to realize I was just as bad as the elitist Progressives, liberals and establishment cronies I so despise.

In August, I criticized him for his fiery and divisive rhetoric. I presented him as the embodiment of a liberal flip-flopper, with little principle and the record of a shallow opportunist. In February, I got on my high-conservative-horse and linked every article of proof I had that he wasn't a "true conservative".

Finally, in March, I was stupid enough to propose that I wouldn't even vote in November because there was little to no difference between Donald Trump and Democratic party nominee, Hillary Clinton.

Throughout the primary, I was a die-hard Ted Cruz supporter. I believed he was the embodiment of a true, conservative patriot. He fought on the floor of the Senate to defend our rights and defend the Constitution. Trump's personal attacks against Cruz hit me personally, as I interpreted them as attacks on my principles and what I thought was the only way to save the US from its descent into big-government madness.

I bought all the lines that Trump was a dangerous Nationalist, maybe even a fascist, even though there was little proof to back those statements up. I bought into the divisiveness and the rhetoric and even turned my anger and frustration at Trump supporters.

I called Trump supporters uninformed and unintelligent. I somehow tricked myself into believing that because I listened to conservative talk radio every day, had a fairly strong understanding of American history and followed news and politics morning, noon and night, I knew better than them.

What I unknowingly chose to ignore, however, was that those people knew better than me. The many Trump supporters across the United States, who've had their lives turned upside down and inside out over the past 8 years. People who've lost their jobs, seen their industries shut down and shipped overseas and have to fight every day to keep their families together.

I chose to ignore the number of Americans that feel so crushed by the weight of political correctness, and for just a moment bought into the idea that because Trump said things that hurt people's feelings, he was somehow dangerous.

As someone who claims to live under the banner of conservatism, common sense and the Constitution, I don't know how I became so ignorant that I was swept up by the media narrative. A media narrative pushed by even popular conservatives, that somehow voting for Trump is just as bad as voting for Hillary Clinton, an idea I've come to realize is grounded only in lunacy.

Are we talking about the same Hillary Clinton? The Hillary Clinton that has lied under Oath in front of Congress, a banner carrying 20th century Progressive, with a disastrous record as a Secretary of State and a history of corrupt, corporate Cronyism, with international ties to governments and monarchs throughout the world, especially the Middle East, that look to destabilize the United States at every turn.

There is too much at stake in this election to just sit on the sidelines, and smirk with "I told you so's". We have too much to lose to continue bashing Trump while Clinton sneaks by with the Democratic nomination (with the help of the DNC, as shown in the recent Wikileaks DNC email dump) and into the White House.

The Donald Trump campaign isn't just about making America great again, it's about making America free again. Free from globalism and international interests over the interests of the American people and American businesses. Free from the overreach of international cronyism and a borderless state that seeks to undermine what the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights stands for.

Maybe Trump will be a terrible President, maybe he becomes one of the greatest. Though there seems to be mounting evidence each and every day to support the latter. Sorry, but the baseless argument that Trump is just a racist and a misogynist doesn't work anymore. I'm done with people telling Conservatives and Libertarians that just because ideas hurt their feelings it somehow makes us wrong or people of bad character.

Today, that's what the Trump movement represents to me. It is one of the many reasons I am now formerly never Trump, and I hope many conservatives will reevaluate their choice of hashtags, and consider the same.

#NeverHillary.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

23244
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

9721
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

7042
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments