The article discusses the evolving dynamics within the online right, particularly following Trump's victories and Musk's takeover of Twitter. Initially, the online right served as a breeding ground for ideas, memes, and narratives, reflecting a posture of opposition to the established left. However, with Trump in power, the online right struggles with its identity as its opposition stance is undermined by new realities. The freedom of discourse has led to extremes, exemplified by the rise of more radical figures. As words lose their impact when made real, the online right grapples with its place in a changed political landscape.
The reality is that many of the people in the online right are smart, even brilliant, but not temperamentally equipped for maintaining relationships within an established institution or operating in a very complex, high-conflict public fight.
Paradoxically, Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter and cessation of censorship, paired with Trump's electoral victory, have put the online right into an identity crisis.
The online right's strength was partly based on a feeling of opposition, a different posture from one of administration. Trump is doing in real life what the online right had only done symbolically.
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