Trump’s Appeal—and Betrayal
A Conservative’s Warning
Reading British commentator Dan Hannan’s May 11 Daily Telegraph column on Trumpism’s influence reminded me that the problems we face in America are not ours alone. Hannan regrets that elements of the MAGA movement are infecting Britain, including negative polarization, a desire to punish the “establishment," and an unhealthy lack of focus on the reality of policy details.
Like Hannan, I understand why many people were drawn to Donald Trump in the first place. He seemed willing to stand up to a political system that felt outdated, elitist, and unresponsive. His challenges to global trade deals and unchecked immigration made him popular with those who felt ignored.
But Trump has misused that support. He often pushes bad ideas—like erratic tariffs—and expects his supporters to follow without question. This isn’t just disappointing; it’s a betrayal of the conservative values he claims to represent.
Trump tries to compare himself to Ronald Reagan, but Reagan promoted free markets, limited government, and respect for the Constitution. Trump, on the other hand, raised tariffs that hurt American consumers, spent recklessly, and even encouraged talk of a third term, using concepts that are a clear violation of the intent of the Constitution. His economic policies shift constantly, and his tariffs rarely make sense. This isn’t conservatism—it’s politics based on personality, not principles.
Worse, many of Trump’s supporters ignore these contradictions. Their loyalty often comes more from wanting to defeat political opponents than from believing in any clear set of policies. They cheer policies like tariffs not because they work, but because Trump supports them. This kind of politics isn’t unique to America. In Britain, parties like Reform UK have followers who act the same way—fueled more by anger than by ideas.
As a conservative, I believe in freedom, limited government, and smart economics. Trump talks that talk but doesn’t walk the walk. If conservatives don’t step up and return to our real principles, we risk losing the heart of our movement to someone who, as Hannan puts it, leads not through vision but through self-promotion and small lies.