The United States, torn apart by insurgency and misinformation, is witnessing a political and social rearrangement that unfolds in real time: we are divided into three Americas.
Why it matters: America breaks into its modern soil components in blue America, red America and Trump America – all with clear politics, social networks and media channels.
The existential question for Republicans, and perhaps for America too, is whether Trump America – animated by the likes of Newsmax + Rush Limbaugh + Tucker Carlson + Parler (or whatever replaces it) – overshadows the traditional Red America in power
- The danger: Parts of Trump America, canceled by Twitter and so many others, sever their ties with the realities of the other Americas and basically go underground. There is less awareness and perhaps examination of what is being said and done.
- Axios is Sara Fischer reports that Apptopia has been showing an increase in downloads for conservative-friendly social networks – Parler, MeWe and Rumble – over the past two days, following Trump’s ban by mainstream social media and technology.
The whole picture: The Republican Party split in two, starting with the relatively small Never Trumpers who broke down in 2016 and joined four years later by a new piece of Republicans who were repulsed by President Trump’s actions after the election.
- We have no idea how big this faction is going to grow. But it seems clear that the Trump vs them saga will dominate in the coming months, and maybe even years.
There is no hard evidence yet that Trump America has shrunk significantly, despite the lies about the election and assault on the American Capitol.
- There is hard evidence Trumpers flock to social media groups and hard-right outlets like Newsmax to get and share news that reinforces their views.
- It will take a while to determine whether voters share the anti-Trump views of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell or Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
- Twitter’s decision to suspend Trump permanently forces this faction further underground.
Blue America rises in almost every area:
- It got control of the House, Senate and White House; dominates traditional media; own, control and live on the dominant social platforms; and has the power at the employee-level level at Big Tech companies to force corporate decisions.
The conclusion: Now, more than ever before, is the time to read and reflect: our nation is reconsidering politics, freedom of speech, the definition of truth and the price of lies. This moment – and our decisions – will be studied by our child’s grandchildren.