Six weird takes on the election results

Trump is my toxic ex, White Boy November, and more

Friends — I am disappointed about the election results but not despairing. Below are six offbeat initial takes on the election, plus a song. What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments. - Jeff

1. Trump is my toxic ex

I used to joke that Trump is like a toxic ex: someone I’m still attracted to and need to keep my distance from. Now, with the 2024 election results, it feels like the toxic ex just bought the home next door and took over the HOA. I’m not sure how I will navigate the next four years, but I feel strongly about protecting American democracy. That’s my version of boundaries.

2. White Boy November

In August, I noted that Harris was flanking Trump on white male outreach. It was a signal of Democrats moving post-woke, but they obviously still have a lot of work to do. For Republicans, this was White Boy November. White men, particularly those without a college education, overwhelmingly voted for Trump. It would be uncharitable to call it the Chud Election, but silent male voters and white and hispanic men made their voices heard.

3. Elon Musk is cringe, and may be the most powerful person in the world

Love him or hate him, the singular role played by Elon Musk this election is unique. It’s like Rupert Murdoch, George Soros, and Howard Hughes rolled into one. To me, he is both hero and villain — an entrepreneurial asset to America and a geopolitical liability. Aligning Musk with the public interest is a key challenge. He just may be the most powerful person in the world, for better and for worse.

4. The “Terrain of Discourse” election

Speaking of Musk… his ownership of X (formerly Twitter) illustrates how control over the “terrain of discourse” translates into power. In 2021, I outlined this concept in an American Affairs essay: the idea that shaping the platforms, algorithms, and technologies mediating speech is a major form of power in a globalized info environment. This election, Musk seemed to weaponize this concept through his ownership and management of X.

5. Caesarism of the buffoon

What happens when voters elect a candidate with anti-democratic tendencies? Is this democracy at work, a rejection of democracy, or some combination? I noted in my last article how I came to view post-Jan 6 support for Trump as an expression of Caesarism — a Caesarism of the buffoon. Now we face a conundrum: how to let Trump enjoy the powers of the presidency while safeguarding democratic norms and institutions. This is our challenge as citizens.

6. Purple places are the best spaces

I still love Trump supporters as people, even though I’ve grown critical of Trump and the MAGA movement. Might sound odd, but I voted for Harris partially out of love for them (see essay). Truth is, I thrive in a blend of “blue” and “red” perspectives. Too much of one side pushes me toward the other — it’s suffocating. This is why moving out of DC, which is 92% Democrat, was pivotal to my political evolution. I could breath. For me, purple places are the best spaces.

That’s it for now. Please be kind to one another. I’ll have more to say in the days and weeks ahead.

Music inspiration — “Ragged Old Flag,” by Johnny Cash