To celebrate the end of the nominating
conventions, and the continuation of the (mostly) apolitical Olympics, here’s
something more light-hearted—my list of the best nicknames for Trump
supporters. As you’ll notice, each entry has a definition subtly different from
the others. Are you a Trumplican, a Trumpeteer, or something else? Find out below!
(Some
of these names I made up myself, while others originated with a variety of
other writers, commentators, and interested citizens and have essentially
entered the public domain at this point. In most cases it’s nearly impossible
to tell who came up with what name first, but thank you to everyone who came up
with a word that managed to bring some laughter into this wild year. All of the
definitions are my own.)
- Trumpkin— (noun) One of Trump’s most dedicated fans; one who has been with the candidate since the beginning of the primary. Most willing to ignore any gaffe or any inconsistency as an Establishment scheme to ruin the good Mr. Trump.
- Trumpeteer— (noun) Intermediate in the ranks of Trump supporters; one who supported Trump during at least part of the primary, but who is not one of the original true believers. Nevertheless, they serve as effective enforcers for the Trump campaign, with the fervor of the converted, and seek to convert others to their cause—and silence those who dissent. Prominent Trumpeteers include Mike Huckabee and Chris Christie.
- Trumplican— (noun) Republicans who were resistant to Trump during the primary, but now compel allegiance to Trump for the sake of party unity. Their support may be only grudging, but they see the Trump campaign as the only vehicle remaining capable of stopping Hillary Clinton—and as such, all dissenters must now board the Trump Train. Prominent Trumplicans include Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell.
- Trump-bro— (noun) Similar to the Bernie Bros of the Democratic Party, a younger male who is especially fervent in support of Donald Trump. Members of this group are often also Trumpkins, though some are Trumpeteers, and are usually drawn to Trump by his racial and/or sexual views, rather than his business history or broader political views.
- Trumpanzee— (noun) Another subset of the larger Trumpkin group, someone most likely to set aside all intelligent thought and rational discourse in wildly militant devotion to Trump. Most likely to throw insults, personal attacks on family members, and their own feces at Trump opponents than engage in reasoned, intelligent debate.
- Trumpocrat— (noun) Whereas Trumplicans support Donald Trump for the sake of party unity, Trumpocrats defy their own party in supporting him, for a variety of reasons. This group may include enemies of free trade, aging hippies and Russia-lovers who see Hillary Clinton as more militaristic and antagonistic of Putin than Trump, angry Bernie Bros, and even a few who refuse to vote for any Democratic presidential nominee other than Martin O’Malley.
- Trumper-tantrum— (verb) The reaction of a Trump supporter to a non-Trump voter criticizing their beloved candidate; most commonly characterized by a demand for unity in order to beat Hillary. Oddly, those throwing Trumper-tantrums are strangely silent when their candidate attacks Paul Ryan or John Kasich.
- Trumpster diving— (verb) The act of looking for a compelling candidate, whether in the primary or general elections, and finding Donald Trump.
