In a shocking revelation, prominent New York Times columnist David Brooks admitted in a recent column that he and the so-called “elite” have perpetuated self-serving tactics to maintain their power and moral superiority over Trump supporters. The candid admission has ignited a fervent debate among political commentators and journalists.
In his column, Brooks urged readers to consider an alternative perspective where anti-Trumpers are not the virtuous defenders of progress, but rather the “bad guys” who have monopolized entire professions and excluded others. He pointed to the media industry, which once had a strong presence of working-class professionals but is now dominated by Ivy League and elite college graduates.
“I ask you to try on a vantage point in which we anti-Trumpers are not the eternal good guys. In fact, we’re the bad guys,” Brooks wrote in a column Wednesday.
“Over the last decades we’ve taken over whole professions and locked everybody else out,” Brooks wrote of the liberal elite in America. The column detailed how the “educated class” imagine themselves as the “forces of progress and enlightenment” to appease their own egos, as part of a broader tale that paints them as enlightened and Trump supporters as bigots and fools.
The liberal elite’s influence extends beyond the media, as Brooks highlighted their dominance in national politics and concentration in booming metropolitan areas like San Francisco, D.C., and Austin. Armed with economic, cultural, and political power, they have championed policies that primarily serve their own interests.
Brooks did not shy away from critiquing his own social class, revealing how highly educated parents perpetuate their privileges by sending their children to elite schools and marrying within their circles. This perpetuates a cycle of exclusivity and reinforces class distinctions across generations.
Additionally, Brooks acknowledged how the elite’s use of buzzwords like “problematic,” “cisgender,” and “Latinx” may alienate the less-educated class, further deepening divisions within society.
Despite being a fervent critic of Trump and calling for his imprisonment in the past, Brooks acknowledged that the former president’s rise to power was fueled by the widespread sentiment among working-class Americans that they were under attack by the educated class. Trump, whom Brooks described as a “monster,” successfully positioned himself as the champion against the establishment that only sought to preserve its own interests.
As Trump surges ahead in the 2024 GOP field and appears to be the clear frontrunner for the Republican White House nomination, Brooks’ candid analysis has generated mixed reactions from journalists and political commentators.
David Brooks knows the elites are doing harm, but he still supports the indictments
Opinion | On Anti-Trumpers and the Modern Meritocracy – The New York Times https://t.co/iNsQOFuUn7
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) August 3, 2023
While some lauded Brooks for his honesty and self-awareness, others criticized his analysis, arguing that elite institutions were not necessarily focused on competence and positive outcomes. Some expressed skepticism about whether Brooks truly grasped the depth of the problem, highlighting the need for a collective effort to address the root causes of Trumpism.
In his column’s concluding remarks, Brooks implored his peers to reflect on their behavior and refrain from actions that may fuel Trumpian populism. This call to self-reflection prompted responses from various quarters, including Fox News contributor Ben Domenech.
“We can condemn the Trumpian populists all day until the cows come home, but the real question is when will we stop behaving in ways that make Trumpism inevitable.” Read this, my anti-Trump friends. https://t.co/iTXUmSWUqD
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) August 2, 2023
