The 2024 election cycle has been nothing short of theatrical, and few episodes have been as bizarrely entertaining as Donald Trump's tango with the Libertarian Party. Despite not securing the party’s nomination, Trump managed a de facto takeover of its national operations, leaving behind a trail of controversy, fractured alliances, and strategic intrigue worthy of a political thriller.
For context, Trump’s record on tariffs—a rarity in his policy portfolio that resonates with economic nationalists—has ironically earned him praise from unlikely corners, including libertarian-leaning critics who otherwise reject his broader platform. I, for one, didn’t vote for him but found a glimmer of satisfaction in watching his tariff policies differentiate him from the openly anti-tariff Kamala Harris, who fell flat this cycle.
But Trump’s maneuvers with the Libertarian Party weren’t about tariffs. They were about power, influence, and opportunism.
The Libertarian Civil War: Sneks vs. Frogs
The Libertarian Party is no stranger to infighting, but the dynamic this year was exceptional. On one side, there were the “True Believer Sneks,” exemplified by Chase Oliver, who represented a more traditional libertarian purism. On the other, a faction of pro-Trump libertarians aligned with Roger Stone’s infamous political scheming, which has long intertwined with the LP’s inner workings.
Roger Stone’s recruitment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into the race was a masterstroke of misdirection. RFK Jr.’s Libertarian flirtation, supported by the creation of the Libertarian National Committee's Kennedy Victory Fund, seemed legitimate at first. But as the campaign unfolded, it became clear that this fund and its activities were part of a broader Trump strategy. What began as a libertarian outreach effort morphed into a de facto extension of the Trump campaign.
The culmination of this strategy came when Trump spoke at the LP’s 2024 National Convention. His speech was not just a token acknowledgment of the libertarian base—it was a demand for allegiance. While the LP didn’t formally nominate him, his presence effectively dominated the convention, overshadowing other candidates and platforms.
The Fallout: Broken Promises and Low Turnout
Trump’s overtures to the LP came with promises—or at least implied deals. According to the Chase Oliver camp, Trump suggested he’d include a libertarian in his cabinet if the party threw its weight behind him. However, when the nomination wasn’t granted, those promises evaporated. What followed was a one-sided quid pro quo: Trump demanded support, which he largely received, but without the formal nomination, the Libertarian Party was left in a political limbo.
The result was disastrous for the LP’s performance. Not only did the party fall behind Jill Stein’s Green Party and Cornel West’s sabotaged campaign, but its turnout was the lowest in decades. This was a stark departure from the LP’s consistent goal of growing its base and challenging the two-party system.
The Stone Factor
The true brilliance—or nefariousness, depending on your perspective—of Roger Stone’s strategy was its opacity. For months, many believed RFK Jr. was genuinely running as a libertarianish independent. By the time this lead lined truth became clear, the LP had been thoroughly co-opted. Stone’s maneuver ensured Trump benefited from libertarian resources and grassroots energy without the burden of actually aligning with libertarian principles.
Libertarian Infighting: The Aftermath
Now, the Libertarian Party is embroiled in bitter infighting over what many see as a betrayal. Chase Oliver’s supporters accuse Trump of reneging on his cabinet promise and exploiting the party for his gain. Meanwhile, pro-Trump libertarians argue that supporting Trump was a pragmatic choice in a polarized political landscape.
The Libertarian Party’s 2024 chapter will likely be remembered as a cautionary tale of what happens when ideological purity collides with political opportunism. Trump’s nomination-less takeover revealed the vulnerabilities of a party desperate for relevance but unwilling to compromise its identity fully.
For observers like me, it’s been a mix of absurdity and intrigue. The saga has shown that even without a nomination, Trump can reshape the political landscape—and leave chaos in his wake. Whether the LP can recover from this debacle remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the 2024 Libertarian experiment was a masterclass in political theater.
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