When did the rise of right-wing dominance in the United States begin, and who were the key figures behind this shift?
The ascendancy of the right-wing in the United States gained momentum during the 2008 election, as conservative groups grew increasingly vocal and assertive in expressing their beliefs. This period coincided with Donald Trump’s initiation of a campaign questioning President Obama’s birth certificate. President Obama, a young and charismatic leader hailing from Illinois, enjoyed widespread popularity prior to becoming the country’s first biracial president. As he had a relatively limited political history, critics found fewer grounds to scrutinize him.
The dynamics began to change during the 2016 primary elections, as Donald Trump adopted a more aggressive stance towards President Obama. Utilizing a combination of falsehoods and distortions, Trump succeeded in rallying support from various right-wing factions. Throughout his campaign, he encouraged the radical elements within conservative and right-wing groups to become more visible in the public sphere.
The propaganda disseminated during that election cycle fueled doubt among Republican and conservative voters regarding Obama’s qualities. However, it was only after the election that the opposition intensified its attacks, not only targeting Obama but also spreading fear and animosity towards Muslims, Hispanics, and Blacks. This fearmongering strategy gradually turned segments of the white community against Obama.
Right-wing parties, conservatives, and other right-leaning political groups, including extremists such as white supremacists, increasingly asserted their presence within mainstream America, both ideologically and physically.
Trump effectively capitalized on his campaign against Obama, consolidating conservatives into a fringe political party that significantly impacted the nation’s trajectory, leading to the current state of affairs.
