Grok says:
Key Points
- It seems likely that Michael Anton's "Flight 93 election" essay still resonates with some conservatives, given Trump's re-election in 2024.
- Research suggests the essay's apocalyptic tone may be seen as overstated, as the country has survived both Trump and Biden presidencies.
- The evidence leans toward mixed views, with supporters seeing Trump's policies as necessary, while critics highlight controversies like the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
- An unexpected detail is that the essay's relevance persists in political discourse, as seen in recent 2024 discussions, despite its 2016 context.
Direct Answer
Michael Anton's "Flight 93 election" essay, written in 2016, argued that voting for Donald Trump was essential to prevent the country from being destroyed by a Hillary Clinton presidency, comparing it to the passengers on Flight 93 fighting back on 9/11. Today, in March 2025, with Trump serving his second term after Biden's presidency from 2021 to 2025, the essay's relevance is complex and debated.
Background and Context
The essay framed the 2016 election as a last-ditch effort to save the country, suggesting that not voting for Trump would lead to certain doom under Clinton. Since Clinton didn't become president, we can't compare directly, but Trump's first term (2017–2021) and Biden's term (2021–2025) have both shaped the political landscape.
The essay framed the 2016 election as a last-ditch effort to save the country, suggesting that not voting for Trump would lead to certain doom under Clinton. Since Clinton didn't become president, we can't compare directly, but Trump's first term (2017–2021) and Biden's term (2021–2025) have both shaped the political landscape.
Current Relevance
For some conservatives, the essay still holds up, as Trump's re-election in 2024 might validate the idea that his policies, like tax cuts and conservative judicial appointments, were necessary to counter progressive threats. However, critics argue that Trump's first term was chaotic, with events like the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot raising concerns about democratic norms. The essay's dramatic tone may seem overstated now, given the country's survival through both administrations.
For some conservatives, the essay still holds up, as Trump's re-election in 2024 might validate the idea that his policies, like tax cuts and conservative judicial appointments, were necessary to counter progressive threats. However, critics argue that Trump's first term was chaotic, with events like the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot raising concerns about democratic norms. The essay's dramatic tone may seem overstated now, given the country's survival through both administrations.
Unexpected Detail
Interestingly, the essay remains a topic in political discourse, with recent 2024 articles like "Flight 93 Redux" (The American Conservative) discussing its themes in the context of current elections, showing its lasting, if controversial, influence.
Interestingly, the essay remains a topic in political discourse, with recent 2024 articles like "Flight 93 Redux" (The American Conservative) discussing its themes in the context of current elections, showing its lasting, if controversial, influence.
In summary, the essay resonates with some but is subject to debate, reflecting the polarized views on Trump's impact. Its call to take risks in politics still echoes, though its specific 2016 context is less directly applicable today.
Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis on the Relevance of Michael Anton's Flight 93 Election Essay in 2025
This section provides a detailed exploration of how Michael Anton's "Flight 93 election" essay, published in 2016, holds up today, considering the political developments since then and the current climate as of March 2025. The analysis aims to address the essay's core arguments, assess their validity in light of recent events, and examine its ongoing influence, drawing from various sources to ensure a thorough understanding for both lay readers and those with deeper political interest.
Background and Context
Michael Anton's essay, written under the pseudonym Publius Decius Mus and published in the Claremont Review of Books (The Flight 93 Election - Claremont Review of Books), was a provocative call to support Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. It compared the election to the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 during the 9/11 attacks, who fought back against hijackers, suggesting that voting for Trump was a necessary risk to prevent the "certain death" of the country under Hillary Clinton. The essay argued that progressives were on the verge of a permanent victory that would destroy traditional American values, and conservatives had no choice but to "charge the cockpit" with Trump, even if the outcome was uncertain.
Given the current time is March 29, 2025, and Donald Trump is serving his second term, having assumed office on January 20, 2025, after winning the 2024 election (List of presidents of the United States - Wikipedia), the analysis must consider the intervening years, including Trump's first term (2017–2021), Joe Biden's presidency (2021–2025), and the recent re-election.
Methodology and Sources
The investigation involved reviewing multiple online resources, including the original essay, Wikipedia entries on Michael Anton (Michael Anton - Wikipedia), and recent articles discussing the essay's legacy. Key sources included How Michael Anton’s ‘Flight 93 Election’ Essay Defined the Trump Era - New York Magazine, The 'Flight 93' election has ended in disaster | The Week, and Opinion | The Crash of the Flight 93 Presidency - POLITICO, supplemented by 2024 discussions like "Flight 93 Redux" (The American Conservative). These sources provided insights into both contemporary reactions and retrospective analyses.
Detailed Analysis
To assess how well the essay holds up, the following table summarizes key aspects of the essay's arguments, their realization during Trump's first term, and their relevance today:
Aspect | Essay's Argument (2016) | Realization (2017–2025) | Relevance Today (March 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
Threat from Clinton Presidency | Certain doom, likened to a terrorist hijacking, with progressive policies destroying America. | Clinton did not become president; instead, Biden (2021–2025) implemented progressive policies. | Less directly relevant, as Clinton's presidency was not tested; debate continues on Biden's impact. |
Risk of Trump Presidency | Risky but necessary, with a chance to survive, compared to charging the cockpit. | Trump's first term (2017–2021) was controversial, with events like January 6, 2021, riot. | Mixed views: some see re-election as validation, others see chaos. |
Conservative Policies | Trump would implement conservative policies to counter the left. | Implemented tax cuts, deregulation, and conservative judicial appointments. | Seen as successes by conservatives, still debated by liberals. |
Apocalyptic Tone | Painted a dire scenario, suggesting the end of the republic without action. | Country survived both Trump and Biden; no collapse, but polarization increased. | May seem overstated, but resonates with some fearing progressive gains. |
Long-Term Impact | Aimed to prevent permanent progressive victory. | Trump's judicial appointments may have long-term effects; Biden's policies countered some gains. | Ongoing debate, with Trump's re-election seen as a counter to Biden. |
Key Developments Since 2016
- Trump's First Term (2017–2021): Trump's presidency saw significant policy achievements for conservatives, such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, deregulation, and the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, which could shape the judiciary for decades. However, it was also marked by controversies, including the Mueller investigation into Russian interference, his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot following his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results (Opinion | The Crash of the Flight 93 Presidency - POLITICO).
- Biden's Presidency (2021–2025): Joe Biden's term focused on progressive policies, including climate initiatives, infrastructure spending, and social equity measures. While these were seen as fulfilling Clinton's potential agenda by some, the country did not collapse, challenging the essay's dire predictions (Michael Anton - Wikipedia).
- Trump's Re-election in 2024: Trump's victory in the 2024 election, making him the 47th president and serving a second non-consecutive term from January 2025, suggests to some that the essay's call to action was justified (List of presidents of the United States - Wikipedia). This re-election might be seen as a continuation of the "Flight 93" strategy, with conservatives viewing it as necessary to counter Biden's policies.
Assessment of Relevance Today
The essay's core argument—that voting for Trump was necessary to prevent certain destruction under Clinton—remains untested, as Clinton did not become president. However, the essay's themes of urgency and risk-taking still resonate in 2025, particularly among conservatives who see progressive gains under Biden as threatening. Recent articles, such as "Flight 93 Redux" (The American Conservative), suggest the essay's metaphors are still used to frame political battles, indicating its lasting influence.
On the other hand, critics argue that the essay's apocalyptic tone was overstated. The country has not collapsed, and both Trump and Biden presidencies have shown the resilience of American democracy, albeit with increased polarization. Events like the January 6 riot have led some, like the article "The 'Flight 93' election has ended in disaster" (The Week), to view the essay's predictions as misguided, suggesting Trump's presidency exacerbated rather than solved problems.
An unexpected detail is the essay's continued relevance in political discourse, with 2024 discussions applying its themes to new elections, showing its adaptability despite its specific 2016 context. This persistence is evident in Anton's own work, such as "After the Flight 93 Election: The Vote that Saved America and What We Still Have to Lose" (Amazon), where he defends the essay's premise.
Challenges and Considerations
The analysis noted challenges in assessing the essay's impact, as much depends on political perspective. For instance, conservatives might see Trump's judicial appointments as a long-term success, while liberals might focus on the divisiveness of his rhetoric. Additionally, the essay's focus on Clinton is less relevant today, with Biden's presidency providing a different comparison point. This suggests that while the essay's general call to action holds, its specific arguments are less directly applicable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Michael Anton's "Flight 93 election" essay holds up partially in March 2025, with its themes of urgency and risk-taking still resonating among conservatives, especially given Trump's re-election. However, its apocalyptic predictions seem overstated given the country's survival through both Trump and Biden, and its specific focus on Clinton is less relevant. The essay remains a controversial but influential piece in political discourse, reflecting the ongoing polarization and debate over Trump's legacy.
Key Citations
