In the modern political landscape, political discourse is often deeply polarized. One of the key strategies that right-wing figures and media outlets have used to rally their base is the portrayal of liberals as divisive, unpatriotic, and even anti-American. This narrative has become increasingly prevalent, especially in recent years, as ideological divides deepen and the national conversation grows more contentious. The goal of such rhetoric is often to delegitimize liberal policies, undermine trust in liberal figures, and paint the left as a threat to the country’s values.

1. Framing Liberals as Divisive

Right-wing commentators frequently accuse liberals of fostering division within American society. These claims often center around social issues such as race, gender, immigration, and national identity. For example, discussions about systemic racism, gender identity, and immigration reform are often framed by conservatives as attempts by liberals to "divide" Americans along racial or cultural lines. The term “identity politics” is frequently used to describe liberal policies that emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. Right-wing media often argues that these policies encourage a victim mentality and stoke resentment among various groups.

The narrative goes further by claiming that liberals are more interested in labeling groups as oppressed or privileged than in fostering unity. For example, the emphasis on the history of racial injustice, discussions on police reform, and the rise of movements like Black Lives Matter are often portrayed as efforts to "divide" the nation, rather than heal it. This idea feeds into the portrayal of liberals as the ones who sow discord by highlighting societal rifts.

2. Portraying Liberals as Anti-American

Another common charge leveled by the right is that liberals are anti-American or unpatriotic. This rhetoric is often tied to criticisms of liberal stances on national symbols, the military, and American exceptionalism. Liberals who protest during national anthems, challenge the status quo on issues like immigration, or push for reform of American institutions are sometimes labeled as disrespecting the country. This accusation is particularly prevalent in the context of athletes kneeling during the national anthem to protest police violence against people of color. Right-wing figures, such as former President Donald Trump, have famously called out these protests as unpatriotic, claiming they show a lack of respect for the country and its military.

The right often argues that liberals’ willingness to critique the American government, particularly in relation to historical injustices, shows a lack of love for the country. By pushing for reforms or highlighting flaws in American systems, liberals are sometimes accused of being more focused on criticism than on patriotism or national pride. The idea is that criticizing the country’s history or current policies is tantamount to rejecting American values, even though these critiques are often aimed at improving the country.

3. "Woke" Culture and Its Association with Hatred of America

In recent years, the term "woke" has emerged as a common catch-all for what conservatives see as liberal excesses. "Wokeness," which initially referred to a heightened awareness of social justice issues, is often used by the right to describe a range of liberal movements and policies that challenge traditional norms. Critics argue that “woke” culture is an attempt to overthrow the social and cultural status quo, leading to division and undermining national unity.

The right-wing narrative often portrays "woke" culture as an embodiment of everything wrong with liberalism, claiming that liberals not only seek to change social norms but also to tear down America’s founding principles. Whether it’s the push to dismantle symbols of American history or calls to reform or abolish institutions like the police, the accusation is that liberals hate America’s heritage and seek to destroy the foundational aspects of American identity.

4. The Liberal Agenda as a Threat to National Sovereignty

Right-wing figures also argue that liberal policies, especially those relating to globalism, immigration, and environmentalism, threaten America’s sovereignty and values. Critics often claim that liberal support for open borders and international organizations is indicative of a lack of national loyalty. They argue that such policies undermine American independence and lead to the erosion of American culture and identity. By aligning with international organizations or advocating for policies that seem to favor foreign interests, liberals are portrayed as prioritizing global concerns over American interests.

Similarly, the push for environmental policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change is framed by the right as a betrayal of American industry and jobs. In these cases, critics often argue that liberals are more concerned with satisfying global environmental standards than with ensuring the well-being of American workers and citizens. The rhetoric suggests that liberals’ internationalism and focus on global cooperation comes at the expense of America’s national interests.

5. Conservatives’ Counter-Narrative: The Real Patriotic Americans

In contrast to the portrayal of liberals as divisive and anti-American, right-wing figures often frame themselves as the true defenders of American values. This narrative positions conservatives as patriotic, focused on traditional American ideals such as individual liberty, national pride, and respect for the Constitution. By casting themselves as the champions of Americanism, conservatives are able to create a dichotomy in which they are the standard-bearers of the country’s values, while liberals are depicted as the ones seeking to undermine those values.

This strategy is effective in rallying conservative voters, who may feel that their traditional views and sense of patriotism are under siege by liberal activists and politicians. By framing themselves as the protectors of American greatness, conservatives can rally support for their policies and reinforce their narrative that liberals are out of touch with the true essence of the nation.

Conclusion

The right-wing portrayal of liberals as divisive and anti-American is a key component of modern political discourse in the United States. By accusing liberals of sowing division, disrespecting American values, and prioritizing global concerns over national interests, conservatives seek to undermine liberal policies and create a sharp contrast between the two ideological camps. This narrative helps to rally right-wing support by painting liberals as a threat to national unity and patriotism, reinforcing the idea that only conservatives are truly committed to the country’s well-being. While this portrayal is often one-sided and oversimplified, it remains a powerful tool in the ongoing ideological battle for the soul of America.