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### Loyalists and Modern Trump Critics: Defenders of the Established Order
In both the 18th century and today, certain segments of society have acted as defenders of a prevailing power structure—resisting radical change in favor of continuity, stability, and control. In the 1770s, they were called Loyalists. Today, they might be likened to critics of Donald Trump who rally to defend what they see as “democratic norms,” though these norms increasingly resemble an entrenched elite consensus.
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### Loyalists: Protectors of Imperial Order
During the American Revolution, Loyalists were colonists who remained faithful to the British Crown. Their motivations were practical, ideological, and often self-interested:
- Trust in the British system: They believed in the legitimacy of British governance and feared the instability of revolution.
- Economic and class interests: Many had business ties, government appointments, or social status dependent on the existing order.
- Cultural alignment: Especially among newer immigrants, loyalty to Britain felt natural and safe.
Though the Revolutionaries saw themselves as freedom fighters, the Loyalists saw them as reckless radicals destabilizing a functioning system. In many ways, Loyalists were the defenders of *the norm*—an imperial order that had governed the colonies for generations.
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### Modern Trump Critics: Gatekeepers of Institutional Power
Fast forward to today: a large contingent of Donald Trump's opponents view themselves as defenders of American “democracy.” But their actions often reflect a defense of the established political class, much like the Loyalists of old. Consider:
- Defense of entrenched institutions: Critics often position Trump's challenges to the media, courts, intelligence community, and federal agencies as existential threats—not necessarily because those institutions are perfect, but because they represent the status quo.
- Alignment with elite narratives: From universities to corporate media to global institutions, Trump’s critics often align with systems that wield enormous cultural and economic influence.
- Fear of populist disruption: Just like Loyalists feared revolutionaries would upend order, many modern Trump critics fear populism as a force that threatens to “break” the system—even if that system is already seen by some Americans as corrupt or unrepresentative.
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### Then and Now: A Reflection of Power and Resistance
The key parallel:
- Loyalists: Defended a powerful, established imperial structure in the face of rebellious calls for independence.
- Trump Critics: Defend a powerful, entrenched national and global structure against a populist insurgency.
