Dear Jennifer Rubin

Rebuttal: Jennifer Rubin's Delusional Rant Exposes Her Own Lack of Critical Thinking

Opinion: Lynn Matthews from a substack post written by Jennifer Rubin

Just because you string together a torrent of words in a Substack column doesn't mean you possess critical thinking skills—or even a basic grip on reality, Jennifer Rubin.

Your latest screed, masquerading as the "final 'Words & Phrases' of the year," isn't insightful analysis. It's a vitriolic, unhinged meltdown from a former conservative who long ago abandoned any pretense of objectivity for the warm embrace of anti-Trump hysteria. You've spent years positioning yourself as the self-appointed guardian of "true conservatism," only to reveal yourself as just another bitter never-Trumper, churning out the same tired talking points that voters soundly rejected—not once, but twice.

Let's dismantle your fantasy piece by piece.

You claim the Republican Party is no longer a "party" but a "cult" of "Trump idolaters, followers, zealots, sycophants, or devotees." This is rich coming from someone who now writes for a Substack echo chamber filled with like-minded Trump Derangement Syndrome sufferers. The Republican Party today is more unified than it's been in decades, rallying around a clear, popular agenda: securing the border, reviving the economy, restoring energy independence, cutting wasteful spending, and putting America First. That's not cultish devotion—that's democratic strength. Voters elected Donald Trump in a landslide because they support these policies, not because they're brainwashed. If unity around a strong leader is a "cult," then what does that make the Democratic Party's lockstep obedience to radical progressive dogma on everything from open borders to gender ideology?

You whine that Republicans have "no consistent ideology," citing supposed inconsistencies on states' rights, law and order, and fiscal policy. Yet your examples are cherry-picked nonsense. Republicans support federal action when it protects national security—like deploying troops to stop cartel-driven chaos at the border that Democrats ignored for years. We believe in law and order, which is why we back pardons for January 6 protesters who were overcharged and politicized by a weaponized DOJ under Biden. And fiscal hawkishness? Trump inherited a booming economy, slashed regulations, and delivered record-low unemployment pre-COVID. Now, in his second term, he's tackling the debt explosion caused by Democratic spending sprees. The only "inconsistency" here is your refusal to acknowledge reality.

Then you absurdly claim the party welcomes "racists, misogynists, xenophobes, conspiracy mongers, criminals, antisemites, insurrectionists, and adjudicated sexual assaulters." This is the laziest smear tactic in the leftist playbook—guilt by association, amplified by media hysteria. Meanwhile, your preferred party harbors actual antisemites in its ranks (remember the "Squad's" antics?), defends rioters who burned cities in 2020, and pushes policies that harm minorities the most through inflation and crime.

Republicans welcome everyone who supports freedom, opportunity, and American values—no litmus test beyond that. We ejected extremists like the John Birchers decades ago; today's Democrats can't even condemn pro-Hamas radicals in their midst.

Your invocation of Lincoln and the "Grand Old Party" is particularly laughable. Parties evolve, Jennifer. The GOP ended slavery, built the interstate system, won the Cold War, and passed civil rights legislation over Democratic opposition in many cases. Modern Republicans stand for school choice (empowering minority families), opportunity zones (revitalizing inner cities), and criminal justice reform (First Step Act). We reject your "White nationalism" strawman because it's a lie—Trump won record support from Black and Hispanic voters precisely because his policies deliver results for all Americans. If anyone disdains "all men are created equal," it's the identity-obsessed left that divides people by race and gender.

On free markets: Tariffs protect American workers from unfair foreign competition— a bipartisan tool used by presidents for decades. Legal immigration? We support it; illegal migration is what we oppose. And "crony socialism"? That's Democratic giveaways to green energy scams and union bosses.

Foreign policy? America First ended endless wars, crushed ISIS, and brokered peace deals—while Democrats fumbled Afghanistan and emboldened adversaries.

You accuse Republicans of censorship and retaliation, yet it's Big Tech (aligned with Democrats) that suppressed stories, banned dissent, and colluded with government to silence voices. Trump's administration is restoring free speech, not stifling it.

Finally, your suggestion to rename it the "Trump Party" with a mugshot elephant? That's not clever—it's deranged obsession. Trump is a symptom of voter demand for strong leadership against elitist failures like yours. The Republican Party is thriving because it listens to the people. Your side? Clinging to power through lawfare, media bias, and open borders.

In short, Jennifer, your column isn't brave contrarianism—it's the dying gasp of a disconnected elite who can't accept that the American people have moved on. The Republican Party is alive, vibrant, and winning because it fights for the forgotten men and women you scorn. Perhaps it's time you reflect on why you've become the real cult member: worshiping at the altar of anti-Trump rage, blind to the prosperity and security returning under actual leadership.

The myth here isn't the Republican Party—it's the idea that bitter rants like yours represent serious thought.

The article in reference is from a substack post titled, "Words & Phrases That Have Lost All Meaning"