Following the results of the 2024 election, a victorious Donald Trump prepares to carry a sense of vindication with him. Perhaps, for no group more so than the Proud Boys. To members of this far-right extremist organization, the triumph of their political ally ushers in a new chapter of feeling emboldened and validated. While they might have rejoiced over their influence in changing the political landscape, this scenario also gives them time for reflection. While Trump is back at the helm of affairs, the Proud Boys find the need to recede into the background, back out of the limelight.
The Proud Boys can not be referred to as a regular political group. An organization founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes, the group has taken vocal precedence for Western chauvinism against political correctness, feminism, and what they believe is an overstepping on behalf of left-wing ideologies. Their radical brand of nationalism placed them squarely on the fringes of the far right, where they attracted some of the most radical elements of American politics.
The group has gained notoriety across the nation for involvement in violent clashes, including the riot at the Capitol on January 6th, cementing their image as agents of chaos. In many ways, they also came off as Trump's foot soldiers, enthusiastic supporters whose actions align with the president's more divisive rhetoric. They wore their allegiance to Trump proudly, taking the president's populist rhetoric as a rallying cry for their cause.
With Trump back in power, many of the Proud Boys may well feel the fat lady has sung. The struggle for an America under the helm of Trump has been realized, and they are less likely to be under the same level of public scrutiny they received after January 6 or at the height of their controversies.
To the Proud Boys, Trump's victory likely means some semblance of ‘normalcy’ may return, at least on the surface. His presidency has often felt like a state of crisis and contention. With Trump in office once more, this group may find themselves less scrutinized and less compelled to take to the streets.
Many far-right movements are predicated on a sense of crisis, where the Proud Boys and hosts of other far-right groups see themselves as bolstered by a supposed existential threat to white supremacy. Under Trump's second administration, however, this may change: If the administration embraces a more "business as usual" approach, emphasizing traditional conservative policies and less overt conflict with federal agencies, the Proud Boys may find their place in the broader political discourse less necessary.
This could be a time of lying low, if not pulling back, for group members. Much of the street demonstrations and riots involved clashes with left-wing protesters, many of which the Proud Boys initiated. The political aims of the Proud Boys had been accomplished with the victory of Trump, and the need to continue aggressive activities, that garnered significant media interest in the past, would no longer be required.
Even as the Proud Boys may stand down from their pugnacious activism, the impact will be nowhere near over. Far-right ideology will remain influential in Trump's second term, especially should the administration be disposed to build a more overtly populist or nativist agenda. The Proud Boys might retreat from any public role, but their thought processes can surely find an echo in other movements or even within Trump's inner circle. A question remains: will this group dissolve or morph into some quietly strong forces?
Trump's triumph of right-wing extremism as a valid, active political force in America is here to stay. Even if the Proud Boys go away, many other groups and individuals will take up the mantle to continue their pressure further into the mainstream. For now, the question is whether these groups will fall in line behind the administration's agenda or forge their own path, using policy and rhetoric that tugs against the more conciliatory elements of Trump's second term.
For now, the Proud Boys can stand down. The ideological victories they helped realize through their activism, rallies, and violence over the years are now aligned with the broader political winds. Having Trump re-elected signifies a measure of success in their mission to reshape America's cultural and political landscape. Whether this presages their demise as any kind of public force, or a new era of quiet influence, is yet to be determined.
One thing is for sure, for now: the Proud Boys can rest, secure in the knowledge that their political hero is back in the White House. As Trump begins to settle into his second term, the Proud Boys will probably move from the frontlines to the background where quietly they can watch their ideological influence take root in the nation they sought to change.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Keith | Getty Images
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