What peculiar activity is the US Republican Party engaging in now? It’s all “Turkish noses and Tartar’s lips”, if it’s not that, then it’s the “finger of a birth-choked infant”. At least that’s what their adversaries want you to think. These quoted phrases come from the strange witches in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Someone sharp within the Democratic Party has chosen to make “weird” the keyword for the presidential campaign. If the ruffled temperament of the opponents is any indication, the tactic appears to be effective.
About a week ago, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz (who might be Kamala Harris’s running mate by the time you read this) gained notice by labeling Donald Trump and his potential vice-president, JD Vance, as “utterly weird”. During a fundraising event, Harris stated that some of the comments made by Trump and his running mate were simply “too strange to be true”. The political campaign progresses so swiftly that it’s hard to recall an era when the term ‘weird’ was not being tossed around so liberally. Walz justified his comments by referring to the past president’s speeches. “Just listen to the man,” he stated, “He’s discussing matters as bizarre as Hannibal Lecter and charging at sharks, along with many other wild notions that seem to spontaneously come to his mind.”
Among the supporters of Trump who were left flustered was Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican nomination candidate. He commented on X, “The whole ‘they’re eccentric’ claim from Democrats is inane & immature”.However, the Democrats might not be blamed for responding with the usual childish retort of ‘I know you are, but what am I?’. The most notable and entertaining part of Trump’s election campaign has been the crafting of immature derogatory nicknames. Ron DeSantis was mocked as “Ron DeSanctimonious”, Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe”. This is certainly not akin to the profound Gettysburg Address.
The ‘weird’ tactic used by the Democrats turns the rival into an eccentric relative who insists on performing Lydia, the Tattooed Woman at each family gathering.
The term “weird” is not typically a favourite choice for the centre-left to use combatively. Yet, the world abounds with unconventional individuals who embrace their peculiarity with joy. In the Anglo-Saxon era, the term was closely tied to discussions about destiny and fate. The First Folio of Macbeth labels the witches merely as “weyward”, displaying an affinity to their prophetic skills rather than their strangeness. Today, the growing popularity of witches in casual feminist circles further reinforces the intriguing allure of living a life outside the norm.
In the last century, the term “weird” gradually became synonymous with horror literature. The esteemed American pulp magazine, Weird Tales, marked its hundredth anniversary two years ago, features renowned authors such as HP Lovecraft, Michael Moorcock, and Robert E Howard. In the last few decades, successors like China Miéville and Jeff VanderMeer have been linked with a “New Weird” trend. Beyond its ominous connotations, the term evokes originality, exotic appeal, and a sense of dark romance (as any goth would testify). Without it, Tim Burton’s career might not have existed. Film commentator for Variety, Guy Lodge, shared an interesting thought in his tweet last week by embracing the ‘weird’ label, remarking that unusual people are often fascinating.
Thus, why are we utilising this term against the Grand Old Party? And what makes it so impactful? Over recent years, the image of so-called eccentric conservatives, like the horned-hat-wearing invaders of the Capitol, has become so commonplace that it’s easy to overlook the fact that the GOP’s primary base still comprises those who pride themselves on adhering to the American norm. The Republican tactics, since the sixties, have often revolved around protecting the diligent interior from the so-called decadent, drug-intoxicated oddballs from either coast. The right-wing’s recent fascination with the ‘woke’ concept (whatever their interpretation might be) has only intensified their endeavour to project the typical Republican politician as a lifelike figure escaped from a Norman Rockwell painting.
The acclaimed country music artist, Merle Haggard, resonated with many through his song “Okie from Muskogee”, released over half a century ago. In this famous piece, he croons, “We don’t indulge in public displays of affection, but we enjoy hand-holding and romantic courtship,” This continues with, “We don’t have unkempt long hair like the hippies in San Francisco.” Regardless of whether Haggard intended the song to be humorous or not, it’s often interpreted as such, and it sends a strong message about his perception of the left as the societal oddballs, with the Oklahomans identifying as the “normals”.
However, there’s another noteworthy point. Up until now, those against Trump have understandably taken a stance that perceives him as a danger to democracy. Comparisons have even been drawn to several infamous tyrants. (JD Vance, too, before his subsequent change of heart, expressed fears that Trump could evolve into “America’s Hitler”.) These are undoubtedly chilling thoughts, yet they insinuate a certain power and might. The strategy of labelling your adversary as “weird” somewhat belittles them, likening them to an unconventional aunt who insists on performing “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady” at each family event. In this regard, figures like Harris, Walz and others have thus far struck the perfect balance in their messaging. This isn’t the alarming type of weird, but rather the awkward and pitiful kind. A feature that no one would aspire to embody.