The Libertarian Party's Stance on Donald Trump and the Lesser of Evils

Introduction

The question of whether libertarian supporters back Donald Trump is often a subject of debate, especially among those following political movements. While it is true that no national politician aligns fully with libertarian principles, the Libertarian Party and its supporters often have to navigate the complexities of choosing between options they find less objectionable.

Donald Trump: Not a Pure Libertarian Ideal

Even though Donald Trump has a few libertarian qualities, he is not a representative of pure libertarianism. Trump’s foreign military adventures, his response to public health crises, and his attitude towards individual freedoms and privacy often come into conflict with libertarian values. In many respects, he is no different from other national politicians in this regard.

For the average libertarian, the political game often comes down to the lesser of two evils. Hence, some libertarians might vote for Trump over other candidates they consider worse, even if they disapprove of his party affiliations or personal behaviors. This choice is driven by the belief that supporting him can prevent greater harm in the form of policies or leaders that would be even more detrimental to individual liberty.

Key Concerns with Trump

Despite the aforementioned positives, Trump also has several significant drawbacks:

Anti-Abortion Stance: Many libertarians support reproductive rights as a fundamental freedom. Trump’s opposition to abortion rights is a significant drawback for libertarians. Tolerance of Excessive Police Violence: Libertarians generally value the protection of individual rights, including those of criminal defendants. The way Trump has dealt with issues of police brutality and the criminal justice system is troubling for many libertarians. Lack of Privacy Respect: The importance of privacy is a cornerstone of libertarian ideology. Trump’s policies and rhetoric have often eroded this principle. Autocratic Tendencies: While not worse than other candidates in this regard, Trump’s personal behavior and attitudes towards his supporters can be seen as autocratic. No Action Against the Secret Police and National Security Complex: Libertarians are generally skeptical of increased state power, including the expansion of the national security complex. Despite criticism from some quarters, Trump did not significantly reduce surveillance and security measures compared to his predecessors.

While many libertarians do not openly support Trump, some do plan to vote for him based on the belief that he poses a lesser threat to political stability compared to other candidates. This belief is often founded on the assumption that Trump’s ability to stand up to extremists outweighs the potential risks of his own authoritarian tendencies.

The Libertarian Party's Official Stance

Despite the individual preferences of libertarians, the Libertarian Party does not have an official stance on Donald Trump or any specific individual politicians. This lack of formal endorsement reflects the party’s preference for individual freedom and minimizing the role of government in people’s lives, rather than supporting any single candidate.

The party's national chair has recently criticized a decision to invite Trump to the upcoming national convention, citing the belief that candidates should be given equal speaking opportunities. This critique underscores the party's commitment to maintaining principles of fairness and impartiality.

Libertarians, in general, often prefer voting for the candidates who present the most coherent and compelling arguments for individual liberty and minimal government intervention, even if these candidates do not fully align with all libertarian ideals.

Conclusion

The Libertarian Party and its members grapple with challenging political decisions, often having to choose between voting for candidates who are less objectionable or abstaining from the political process to uphold core values. While Donald Trump presents some libertarian qualities, his many negatives make him a controversial figure within the libertarian community.