ABSTRACT
This chapter combines interview and ethnographic data with national trends in public opinion to empirically examine the populist rhetoric employed and popularized by the Tea Party and demonstrates its contribution to the election through the creation of a ‘political opportunity,’ which Trump seized. Specifically it examines three key populist narratives magnified by the Tea Party: a narrative of halted American exceptionalism (with which Trump’s slogan – Make America Great Again – resonated), a second embracing a rejection of political correctness and anti-intellectualism, and a third supporting outside candidates in favour of mainstream contenders.
