Donald Trump broke the woke stranglehold on our country, and on us

One of the most central themes of Donald Trump‘s 2016 campaign was the fight against political correctness. 

In New Hampshire early that fateful year, he said this: “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been challenged by so many people and I frankly don’t have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either.”

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In the wake of Glenn Youngkins’ victory in the race to be Virginia’s governor, it is important to note the vital role Trump played—not as a surrogate or through campaigning—but by paving the way to fight back against wokeness, as political correctness is now known.

Put simply, without the salty-tongued, sharp-suited Trump attacks on wokeness, Youngkin’s fleece-vested, aw shucks version could not have won.

Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin speaks during his election night party at a hotel in Chantilly, Virginia, U.S., November 3, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
(REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

With the possible exception of John C. Calhoun, it may be that no major American politician has ever been accused of racism more than Trump. And it is true that Trump crossed some traditional lines of discourse on race—from his depictions of Mexican illegal migrants to his colorful description of “s—hole” countries. 

He also didn’t apologize. And that was new in Republican, and American politics.

In the post-Cold War period, race and identity were a third rail of American politics. The mere accusation of racism could scuttle careers. Because of this GOP leaders just steered clear of it. They wanted to talk about sound fiscal policy and trade agreements, not culture wars. 

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during his first post-presidency campaign rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio, U.S., June 26, 2021. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo/File Photo
(REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo)

Trump was the first major candidate since Patrick Buchanan in 1992 to put the culture war front and center. And not only did it help win him the presidency, it is now thought by many to be the future of the conservative movement.

When parents in Virginia, and across the nation, protested the use of critical race theory in their children’s classrooms, Youngkin took up their flag. Democrat candidate Terry McAullife’s response was a well worn accusation of dog whistles and racism. But this time it didn’t work. It fell utterly flat. The race card had turned from Ace to Joker. Neither Youngkin nor the outraged parents who don’t want their children divided by race were silenced. This is a sea change.

This week, Brown Professor Glenn Loury spoke at the Manhattan Institute and echoed his argument advanced over the past year or so that so-called anti racists are “bluffing.”…