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Trump's attacks on universities get darker, with shadows reaching our shores

(christinapagel.substack.com)
235 points nickcotter | 7 comments | 29 Mar 25 08:29 UTC | HN request time: 0.449s | source | bottom
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bhouston ◴[29 Mar 25 11:36 UTC] No.43514665[source]▶
I look at Trump's popularity and it is still quite high. So while it may seem dark to some, generally it isn't bothering most Americans that much. Thus it is likely to continue and progress.

What is next?

- Maybe punish citizens for their views that do not align with the state sanctioned perspective, rather than just Green Card and immigrants. In this case, I expect some type of black list that deals economic damage to those on it. I can imagine some type of wide ranging social media bans for those on the list.

- Further erode the rule of law and empower the president as a unity power. Or alternatively marketed, deal with corrupt judges who want to upend the will of a democratically elected leader.

This play book has happened so many times recently, Putin in Russia, Netanyahu is doing it in Israel right now, Erdoğan in Turkey.

It seems this is where the US is headed and I do not see any off ramps in the need term.

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1. Loughla ◴[29 Mar 25 11:53 UTC] No.43514772[source]▶
> Thus it is likely to continue and progress.

Legitimately people are asking for a King. Right wing, supposed to be ultra-Americans are asking for a king.

As long as he promises to make their bank accounts grow, and make their perceived enemies suffer, they want a king.

I am absolutely astounded by what's going on around me right now

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2. brettermeier ◴[29 Mar 25 11:59 UTC] No.43514807[source]▶
Is there a chance of a civil war, or are the royalists in the majority and will win anyway, so no one will dare?
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3. cogman10 ◴[29 Mar 25 12:08 UTC] No.43514871[source]▶
They are asking for violence against their enemies. Some of the poorest people I know are huge Trump supporters.

So long as he hurts the right people, they love him.

It's because they blame their current status on "the other". Why can't they get a job? Because a foreigner "stole" it. Why is government aid failing to keep up? Because the bad people that don't deserve it are draining their deserved benefit.

But further, their religious texts say times will get tough before their Messiah comes back, so if Trump makes them personally suffer "well, hopefully Jesus will be back soon".

4. cheema33 ◴[29 Mar 25 12:17 UTC] No.43514931[source]▶
> As long as he promises to make their bank accounts grow, and make their perceived enemies suffer, they want a king.

They have given up on the "make their bank accounts grow" thing. The tariff tax and stock market sliding down doesn't appear to bother them. Neither does the fact that he promised to make their groceries cheaper in one day. And the opposite is happening.

Making the perceived enemies suffer is the big thing. "I may not have enough to feed my family, but if you make marginalized people I don't like suffer, you have my support."

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5. Loughla ◴[29 Mar 25 14:03 UTC] No.43515625[source]▶
There is zero chance of a civil war. That would require entire states, not just citizens.

Republican state governors and legislators have drank the Trump Kool aid, Democrats need trump to run against to stay in office.

The people are fat and lazy and either comfortable or uncomfortable enough not to have spare time.

It's a fucking train wreck. Nothing means anything and everything is bullshit.

6. ◴[29 Mar 25 17:27 UTC] No.43517067[source]▶
7. RickJWagner ◴[29 Mar 25 22:04 UTC] No.43519137[source]▶
I’m in a solidly red state. Nobody is asking for that.

What they want is mostly fair representation in media, entertainment, and politics. Look no further than Saturday Night Live to understand how conservatives are misrepresented and liberals are given a free pass. Fix that and people will generally be more satisfied.