Reemergence of Identity Politics: How Donald Trump Recaptured the Identity Politics Movement of George Lincoln Rockwell in the 1960’s

Abstract

Donald Trump’s win of the oval office was a result of successful campaigning through the idea of Identity Politics. While focusing his rhetoric on black empowerment, white vulnerability, and religious prejudice, Donald Trump’s rhetoric appealed to millions of Americans nationwide; many of which were non-Hispanic whites. While the idea of Identity Politics and specifically non-Hispanic White Identity Politics appears to be new, it has been seen before through the works of American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell. A maverick to the majority of the country, this Nazi sympathizer believed the presidential election of 1972 was to be his. But after proving ineffective during his time traveling the country in order to build support and financial stability, Rockwell was erased from the scene. However, even as a small irrelevant threat from 1959-1967, Rockwell spoke of the same issues President Trump campaigned on, and also projected his discourse at the same non-Hispanic white population. Through comparative analysis along with both qualitative and quantitative research, this paper will first prove that the concept of Identity Politics has existed prior to Donald Trump’s election. Secondly, it will compare both George Lincoln Rockwell and Donald Trump through their parallel rhetoric of black empowerment, white vulnerability, and religious prejudice; and how regardless of success and failure, both utilized the concept of non-Hispanic White Identity Politics to build and secure a strong constituency.