Table of Contents
- The Southern Roots of Modern Conservatism
- Trumpism as a Southern Political Blueprint
- Insights from Three Southern Voices
- Race, Class, and Belonging in the New South
- What This Means for America’s Future
- Sources
The Southern Roots of Modern Conservatism
When most Americans think of Donald Trump’s political rise, they picture New York skyscrapers and reality TV fame. But according to a compelling new discussion among three Southern New York Times columnists, the true DNA of Trumpism lies deep in the American South.
The South has long been more than a geographic region—it’s a cultural and political force that has repeatedly reshaped national narratives. From the Civil Rights era to the rise of the Religious Right, Southern strategies have often become national GOP playbooks.
Trumpism as a Southern Political Blueprint
“The South isn’t just a wellspring for American culture; it offers a blueprint for America’s future,” said columnist David French during a recent roundtable on The Opinions podcast. That statement, made alongside fellow Southern columnists Jamelle Bouie and Tressie McMillan Cottom, underscores a growing consensus among political analysts: Trumpism didn’t emerge from a vacuum—it evolved from decades of Southern political realignment.
French recalled a pivotal moment in early 2016 when he realized the “Never Trump” movement was doomed. What he witnessed wasn’t just support for a candidate—it was the activation of a deeply rooted Southern political identity that fused populism, cultural grievance, and racialized nostalgia.
Key Elements of Southern-Style Politics That Fueled Trumpism:
- Cultural Defensiveness: A reaction to perceived threats to traditional values and regional identity.
- Racial Resentment: Not always explicit, but embedded in coded language around “law and order” or “urban crime.”
- Religious Nationalism: The blending of evangelical Christianity with American patriotism.
- Economic Populism: Appeals to working-class voters disillusioned by globalization and elite institutions.
Insights from Three Southern Voices
The October 18, 2025 episode of The Opinions brought together three distinct Southern perspectives:
| Columnist | Background | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Jamelle Bouie | Historian and political commentator from New York (raised in the South) | Trumpism reflects a continuation of Southern resistance to multiracial democracy. |
| David French | Conservative writer from Tennessee | The collapse of “Never Trump” revealed the GOP’s Southern cultural dominance. |
| Tressie McMillan Cottom | Sociologist and author from North Carolina | Southern identity is inseparable from questions of race, class, and who “belongs” in America. |
Race, Class, and Belonging in the New South
As McMillan Cottom emphasized, the South’s political power isn’t just about electoral math—it’s about storytelling. Who gets to define what America is? Who is seen as a “real” American? These questions, long central to Southern politics, now dominate national discourse.
Bouie noted that Trump’s rhetoric—on immigration, voting rights, and “heritage”—echoes earlier Southern strategies designed to maintain white political control under new guises. Meanwhile, French acknowledged that even conservative Southerners who opposed Trump found themselves outnumbered by a movement that spoke directly to regional anxieties.
What This Means for America’s Future
If the South continues to serve as a “blueprint for America’s future,” as the columnists argue, then understanding its political evolution is no longer optional—it’s essential. The fusion of Southern identity politics with national platforms suggests that future presidential campaigns will increasingly mirror Southern campaign tactics, whether in Pennsylvania, Arizona, or Wisconsin.
Moreover, the Democratic Party’s struggle to build a durable multiracial coalition may hinge on its ability to address Southern voters’ concerns without capitulating to reactionary narratives.
