Andrew Sullivan's Political Preferences Align with Trump Despite His Stated Opposition
Source: Eddie Scarry. "Andrew Sullivan Is A Trump Supporter. He Just Doesn't Know It." February 16, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Andrew Sullivan actually supports Trump's policies on key issues like transgender rights, DEI, and affordability, but refuses to admit it because he's hung up on Trump's rude behavior. Since Sullivan wants exactly what Trump delivers policy-wise, he's really a Trump supporter who just doesn't realize it.
Conclusion
Andrew Sullivan is effectively a Trump supporter because his stated political preferences align with Trump's platform and governing philosophy, even though he claims to oppose Trump
Premises
- Sullivan advocates for positions that are identical to Trump's 2024 campaign platform: opposing transgender athletes in women's sports, ending medical interventions for gender dysphoric children, eliminating DEI programs, and promoting affordability
- Sullivan's criticism of Trump focuses solely on style and rhetoric ('indecency,' 'cruelty') rather than substantive policy disagreements
- Trump's aggressive rhetoric was a justified response to decades of media attacks on Republicans, making Sullivan's style-based objections unreasonable
- The media and Democrats have subjected Trump to unprecedented attacks including intelligence operations, lawfare, and assassination attempts, justifying his combative approach
- Sullivan represents a class of 'outmoded commentators' who focus on superficial narratives about Trump being 'wicked' without considering why his approach appeals to voters
Assumptions
- Policy alignment is more important than rhetorical style in determining political support
- Trump's aggressive rhetoric is justified as defensive rather than gratuitously offensive
- Sullivan's stated preferences represent his true political priorities
- Media treatment of Republicans has been systematically unfair for decades
- Voters primarily care about policy outcomes rather than presidential decorum