In a scathing critique, journalist Kevin Maguire has drawn striking parallels between the so-called "Brextremists" in the UK and "Trumpists" in the US, arguing that both groups have been proven catastrophically wrong in their populist agendas.
Maguire highlights how both factions dismissed experts, ignored facts, and pursued ideological crusades that ultimately backfired. "The Brextremists promised a sunlit upland after Brexit, while Trumpists vowed to make America great again. Both delivered chaos," he writes.
The Cost of Ignoring Reality
The UK's hardline Brexiteers, much like Trump's loyalists, operated on blind faith rather than evidence. Their refusal to engage with economic warnings, diplomatic concerns, and legal realities led to:
- Economic stagnation
- Damaged international relations
- Eroded public trust
A Lesson in Hubris
Maguire points out that both movements shared a dangerous contempt for institutions, whether it was the UK's civil service or America's electoral system. "When you declare experts the enemy, you're left with nothing but empty slogans," he observes.
The fallout has been severe—Britain faces supply chain crises and investment flight, while the US grapples with political violence and democratic backsliding. The article serves as a stark warning against the cult of personality in modern politics.
