The Republican party's internal conflict can be understood as a 'three-legged stool.' It comprises: 1) conspiracy theories (Epstein files), 2) core policy disagreements (tariffs, immigration), and 3) an ideological battle over foreign policy, particularly concerning Israel. This framework helps dissect the multifaceted nature of the party's fractures.

The MAGA movement didn't spontaneously arise with Donald Trump. It was the result of a decade-long media strategy by figures like Rupert Murdoch. By acquiring and synchronizing messaging across AM radio stations and Sinclair Broadcasting's local news networks, they cultivated a national conservative base long before Trump's political ascent.

Cable news and social media don't show the average person who votes differently. They blast the loudest, most cartoonish "professional lunatics" from the opposing side. This creates a false impression that the entire opposition is extreme, making tribalism seem rational.

The most significant threat to a political ideology comes not from the opposing party, but from the 'lunatics' on its own side. These extreme factions can make the entire group appear foolish and unreasonable, doing more damage to their credibility than any opponent ever could.

A savvy political strategy involves forcing opponents to publicly address the most extreme statements from their ideological allies. This creates an impossible purity test. No answer is good enough for the fringe, and any attempt to placate them alienates the mainstream, effectively creating a schism that benefits the opposing party.

When a political movement is out of power, it's easy to unify against a common opponent. Once they gain power and become the establishment, internal disagreements surface, leading to factions and infighting as they debate the group's future direction.

The MAGA movement is fracturing in real-time as key figures openly challenge Trump. This indicates the succession battle has already begun, driven by policy disagreements, influencer dynamics, and conspiracy theories, shifting the movement from a monolithic base to a multi-polar power struggle.

A rift is forming within the Republican party over AI. An anti-elite, "MAGA originalist" faction, championed by figures like Steve Bannon, views AI not as innovation but as a deliberate effort by Big Tech to replace American workers, setting up a conflict with pro-technology conservatives.

In populist moments, leaders often abandon the idea of compromise and instead treat the opposing side as an enemy to be defeated. Language describing American cities as "war zones" or "training grounds" reveals this divisive mindset, which prioritizes conflict over unity.