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Not MAGA, Not Republican, but Patriotically Pro-Trump!

The Tea Party movement, born in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and formally taking shape around 2009, was a grassroots rebellion against the overreach of big government, fiscal irresponsibility, and the endless expansion of federal powers. For those of us who were early adopters of the Tea Party message, it was not just about cutting taxes or reigning in spending—though these were central tenets. It was a deep and abiding belief in limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and adherence to the Constitution. The movement was fueled by a sense that both major political parties had betrayed these principles, and the rise of the Tea Party represented a pushback against the bloated bureaucracy and crony capitalism that seemed to define Washington.

The Tea Party existed because we saw an America that was slipping away from its founding ideals, increasingly burdened by national debt, and stifled by overregulation. We were tired of endless bailouts, stimulus packages, and government intervention in private markets. This was not a protest movement against one party; it was a protest against the system itself—a system we believed was no longer serving the American people.

While many people today associate the rise of Donald Trump with the "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) movement, it’s important to understand that the Tea Party paved the way for that populist wave. The frustration with the political establishment that fueled the Tea Party is the same frustration that Trump capitalized on in 2016. But there is a critical distinction between Tea Party conservatism and the MAGA movement. The Tea Party, at its core, was about ideas and principles—fiscal responsibility, small government, and a return to Constitutional governance. It was a deeply conservative movement, without any cult of personality. There were no singular figures we rallied behind; instead, we rallied behind a set of values.

In contrast, the MAGA movement is largely built around Donald Trump as a figurehead. While Trump successfully channeled much of the populist anger and dissatisfaction that existed within the Tea Party base, MAGA has become more focused on Trump himself—his vision, his persona, and his brand of politics. For many of us who identify as Tea Party conservatives, this shift is concerning. We have long believed that movements should be centered on principles, not people. The cult of personality surrounding Trump can sometimes overshadow the actual policy debates that matter most—like reducing the size of government, lowering the national debt, and defending individual freedoms.

That is not to say we don't appreciate what Trump has accomplished. In many ways, Trump has been a vehicle for advancing conservative policies—whether through tax cuts, deregulation, or the appointment of conservative judges. Many of us will vote for Trump because, quite frankly, the alternative is often unthinkable when it comes to the policies of the left. But we do so with our eyes wide open, recognizing that we are voting for a flawed candidate who, despite his successes, has diverted attention away from the essential ideas that drove the Tea Party movement.

For many deeply conservative people, staying true to Tea Party ideals means focusing on the issues, not the personalities. We are concerned with the long-term fiscal health of the country, protecting our constitutional rights, and restoring a government that serves the people—not itself. The Tea Party was never about loyalty to one person; it was about loyalty to a set of values. This is why many of us still call ourselves Tea Party conservatives instead of MAGA. We are focused on the broader ideological battle, while many MAGA supporters seem singularly focused on defending Trump.

It’s also worth noting that a number of us who identify with Tea Party ideals have deliberately chosen not to align ourselves with the Republican Party. The GOP, despite adopting some of the rhetoric of the Tea Party, has often failed to live up to its promises. Too many Republican leaders, even during times of unified government, have continued the same big-government policies we fought against in 2009. While we continue to vote for conservative Republican candidates, many of us prefer to remain independent because we recognize that the Republican Party, as an institution, still has its flaws—chief among them being a tendency to compromise on core conservative principles.

In the end, Tea Party conservatives and MAGA supporters often find themselves on the same side of the political spectrum, and the VAST majority of us will cast our ballots for Donald Trump in the upcoming election. But the distinction is important. For Tea Party conservatives, this is not about following a leader; it is about staying true to a set of deeply held conservative values that transcend any one person. We believe that, in the long run, the principles of small government, fiscal restraint, and individual liberty will outlast any political figure, even one as influential as Donald Trump.

Read more of my conservative essays at: Elvin Unleashed - Substack