Short Solo

Trump’s second-term win was the result of a populist coalition of conservatives wearing MAGA hats who promoted their movement as ‘America First’.

That catch-all term casts a wide-net that describes many policies including protectionist tariffs, domestic crackdowns on vulnerable populations (American or not), and a new foreign policy where leaders look inward to domestic issues instead of policing the world (under the motto, “No New Wars.”)

Many things have happened since those election promises. There’s been a few assassination attempts, a strong likelihood of blackmail, and Trump’s most powerful donor class demanding more war.

All of those are likely connected. Without getting too far down the rabbit hole of conspiracy – there is an objective truth – the MAGA base was betrayed when Trump demonstrated even he could become part of a swamp of Washington war mongers.

The American president’s foreign policy actions has created a ground swell of criticism never heard in Republican circles. This includes once Trump loyalists Marjorie Taylor Green, Megyn Kelly Tucker Carlson, and Charlie Kirk in the months immediately before his assassination.

Many Americans who identify with an “America First” approach argue that endless overseas wars drain trillions in tax dollars and add to national debt while domestic priorities — infrastructure, healthcare, border security, and veterans’ care — remain strained.

They point to the costs of prolonged wars: higher federal spending and debt, risk to service members and their families, potential blowback that threatens U.S. security, and increased migration pressures stemming from destabilized regions.

These are concerns shared across the political spectrum – albeit with different motivations and desired outcomes. The American war hawks are facing scrutiny like never before from left, centre and right wing commentators.

Military Industrial Complex Opposes American Democracy

Every post-WWII president — including Trump — reflects the truth of Eisenhower’s warning about the growing power of the military-industrial complex. Institutional forces in Washington outlast, outmaneuver, and out power elected leaders.

Now, some of Trump’s most prominent supporters — particularly those with large platforms outside traditional media — are breaking a long-standing taboo by openly questioning Israel’s reliance on American financial, military, and political support.

Whether support for Israel has any strategic value isn’t allowable debate because it’s a debate that the military industrial complex cannot win and therefore cannot allow.

This has facilitated an enormous infringement on constitutional liberties.

Tucker Carlson, who has spoken for years without any criticism on the right, turned on Israel and asked all the obvious questions. All of a sudden there’s calls across the political spectrum for his cancellation.

This includes Tucker winning the 2025 StopAntisemitism award for anti-Semite of the Year. His crimes – speaking against unconditional support for Israel which he defines as unchristian.

Tucker defeated Ms. Rachel – social media child entertainer – whose crime is speaking up for children who are dying or being orphaned in record numbers because of Israeli indiscriminate killings and war crimes.

The reason for panic and chaos in power circles is clear. Americans are asking all the same questions. The unquestioning American-Israel alliance cannot sustain itself any longer.

Americans are wondering why they work three jobs, lack healthcare and income security but observe government fund a higher standard of living for Israelis.

Those same Americans are learning their voices cannot elect any real challenge to the modern American empire. The swamp has ruled for decades. Their hero Trump has been swallowed into that swamp.

Antiwar voices – no matter their political stripes – are always secondary to the power of the machinery of war – whether they supported Kennedy, Bush, Clinton, Obama or Trump.

American democracy is an illusion – and for the first time that has been exposed across every segment of American society.