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[[File:Loyal-Opposition.png|thumb]]
Eric Weinstein views '''“Loyal Opposition”''' as a normative ideal in which dissent occurs within the boundaries of shared legitimacy and democratic commitment, rather than rejecting or delegitimizing institutions outright. He argues that in contemporary U.S. politics, no party currently functions as a true loyal opposition because both sides tolerate radical or revolutionary elements that undermine mutual constraints. He places himself in the role of a loyal opposition to his own “side,” criticizing its excesses when they stray from foundational values like meritocracy, decency, free speech, and institutional integrity. He insists that “loyal opposition” involves resisting extremes within one’s own faction, preserving institutional norms even while contesting power, and cultivating epistemic humility so that disagreement doesn’t collapse into delegitimization.
== Quotes ==
<blockquote>
''I think that the answer to this question is really disturbing. It has to do with the fact that, in a weird way, traditional media is now playing the role of a professional wrestling promotion. And in some sense, if you wanted to make an analogy, I would say that podcasting is sort of playing the role of MMA, where it's much more real, and it's not pre determined. And so the real question that we have to face is, did something very strange happen to traditional media? Because that wasn't the case that traditional media wouldn't talk to me 10 years ago.
''I would say about eight years ago, the line just went dead. And it wasn't anything that I was doing. It was a shift in the industry. And I think we're still wrestling with what that shift was, but it seemed to have to do a lot with the fact that media became much more nakedly partisan. The mask of objectivity, or, let's say, the promise, or the contract of objectivity, which was always honored somewhat in the breach, really fell apart. And it came to be seen as a virtue that one would crusade from a position in news media. And in that world, I think the idea is that whether you're affiliated left or affiliated right, you no longer view the other side as the '''loyal opposition''', but you view them as an immoral force that cannot be talked to lest one be sullied. And because I was not going along with this move, I mean, it wasn't that I wasn't invited along to become part of this partisan media. But I think that what happened was that I very much valued the concept of a functional left and a functional right that meant something, being able to work together and to effectively express two different essential qualities of the American political dream.
''I've talked about this as greatness and goodness, that, in some ways, Republicans tended to focus often a little bit more on greatness, even down to the "Make America Great" slogan. And I believe, you know, if you were going to come up with an analogous slogan for the left, it would be, "make America good for everyone for the first time".
''So I think that there's a weird way in which what we've done is we've substituted the ability to talk and to commune and to break bread, and even to fall in love with each other, for a sort of weird set piece battle, where we're all battling our mortal enemies. And in that world, as a guy who comes from a progressive family who works for a very famous conservative, and who refused to play this game, I think that the idea was we moved to really nakedly political media. And I think that that has a lot to do with it. And I think the fact is, is that the narratives in traditional media are threadbare, which is part of why we're seeing a cratering of public trust in our traditional institutions that used to do sense making.
- '''Eric Weinstein''', Jan 26, 2021, in answer to ''Why won't traditional media have you on?'' on Beyond The Interview with Nicole Benham
</blockquote>
== On X ==
== On X ==


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|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=@glennbeck @EricWeinstein Glenn, thanks for giving a shout out to someone like me who has often been your '''loyal opposition'''. It speaks well of you to reach out a gracious hand. Much appreciated.
|content=Glenn, thanks for giving a shout out to someone like me who has often been your '''loyal opposition'''. It speaks well of you to reach out a gracious hand. Much appreciated.


[Small correction: I should point out though that you tagged a different Eric Weinstein.]
[Small correction: I should point out though that you tagged a different Eric Weinstein.]
|thread=
{{Tweet
|image=glennbeck-profile.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/glennbeck/status/990217974211629061
|name=Glenn Beck
|usernameurl=https://x.com/glennbeck
|username=glennbeck
|content=Something big is happening. And #Kayne lit the fuse.  Free thought and love win every time.  Thanks you @EricWeinstein for your courage.  Think different.  Think for your self.  FREE YOUR MIND.
|quote=
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/989900951543734272
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=So...Black people (who need to earn a living or want to keep most of their friends or don’t want to be dragged through the mud or need to avoid being cancelled) have to be Democrats?
Help me out here @chancetherapper. A friend was attacked. You spoke truth to defend him. Then? https://x.com/chancetherapper/status/989877973078691841
|timestamp=4:15 PM · Apr 27, 2018
}}
|timestamp=1:15 PM · Apr 28, 2018
}}
|timestamp=8:54 PM · Apr 28, 2018
|timestamp=8:54 PM · Apr 28, 2018
}}
}}


=== 2020 ===


=== 2020 ===
{{Tweet
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
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|content=Lastly, for those who will leave as followers from this thread: Thanks for hanging in there w/ me. It’s been tough, but I really appreciate the kindness &amp; decency most of you have shown me. I hope I reciprocated that by being your '''loyal opposition'''. So thanks for hearing me out.🙏
|content=Lastly, for those who will leave as followers from this thread: Thanks for hanging in there w/ me. It’s been tough, but I really appreciate the kindness &amp; decency most of you have shown me. I hope I reciprocated that by being your '''loyal opposition'''. So thanks for hearing me out.🙏
|thread=
|thread=
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1329855263717822464
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=There is now zero adult supervision.
|quote=
{{Tweet
|image=GOP-profile.png
|nameurl=https://x.com/GOP/status/1329490975266398210
|name=GOP
|usernameurl=https://x.com/GOP
|username=GOP
|content="We will not be intimidated...We are going to clean this mess up now. President Trump won by a landslide. We are going to prove it. And we are going to reclaim the United States of America for the people who vote for freedom."—Sidney Powell
|media1=GOP-X-post-1329490975266398210.png
|timestamp=6:32 PM · Nov 20, 2020
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|timestamp=6:32 PM · Nov 20, 2020
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|timestamp=6:33 PM · Nov 20, 2020
|timestamp=6:33 PM · Nov 20, 2020
}}
=== 2021 ===
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1362216602737860608
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=I don’t make it a secret that I don’t like the right wing calling names &amp; mocking. I don’t like it when the left calls my friends in the '''loyal opposition''' idiotic names. But I hate it no less when it comes at me from the right. I’m sorry so many of you think it’s a hoot. It isn’t.
|timestamp=1:45 AM · Feb 18, 2021
}}
=== 2024 ===
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1763970722748350505
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=Note: Many will claim that their supreme court nominees were unfairly blocked. I agree with that generally. But I agree with that on both sides.
If you want to go back to civility, decency and '''loyal opposition''', I'm w/ you. If you want to pretend it was all on one side, you've lost me and I have better things to do today.
|thread=
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1763970721074786531
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=You aren't signed up for Democracy if you think government should be dismantled each time you lose,  yet must be revered whenever you win. That's just being an ass.
This court may be accused of overstepping. As the Warren court was once. Think about it.
Moral: Don't be an ass.
|quote=
{{Tweet
|image=thenation-profile.png
|nameurl=https://x.com/thenation/status/1763960206596166068
|name=The Nation
|usernameurl=https://x.com/thenation
|username=thenation
|content=The Supreme Court must be stopped—and the only way to do it is to limit its power, budget, and the obscene amount of deference we pay to it. If we don’t, we can keep kissing our rights goodbye.
|timestamp=4:11 PM · Mar 2, 2024
}}
|timestamp=4:52 PM · Mar 2, 2024
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|timestamp=4:52 PM · Mar 2, 2024
}}
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1826507545458213361
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=I’m not in any way shape or form attached to the Democratic Party. Emotionally. spiritually, or otherwise.
America needs *two or more* parties of '''loyal opposition''' with mostly shared values of merit, decency, opportunity, freedom, civility, common sense, common purpose, family, self-defense and self-restraint.
Right now I see zero. Not two.  Not one. But zero. If you want to build new ones, I’m all ears.
|thread=
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1826504298836144374
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=Folks are always confused why the Democratic Party is my party.
Why doesn’t John Wick just get a new dog?
Why doesn’t Ulysses find a wife with fewer suitors?
Why doesn’t Israel move to Beverly Hills?
Why doesn’t Shackleton accept reality?
Why does Shifu train a Panda?
<nowiki>#</nowiki>é’‰ć­æˆ·
|timestamp=6:18 AM · Aug 22, 2024
|media1=ERW-X-post-1826504298836144374-GVkL-njbkAAjFuI.jpg
|media2=ERW-X-post-1826504298836144374-GVkL-niawAAKy4k.jpg
|media3=ERW-X-post-1826504298836144374-GVkL-oLXEAATZj1.jpg
|media4=ERW-X-post-1826504298836144374-GVkL-n-XcAAPz-l.jpg
}}
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1826504302019707150
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=I don’t get it.
Do you want every last one of us who sees the madness to be driven out of your '''loyal opposition''' party? Really??
I don’t like bullies. I don’t like cowards who bully in groups. I don’t like psychopaths who wander around wearing the robes of authority and wisdom.
|timestamp=6:18 AM · Aug 22, 2024
}}
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1826505346342625282
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=Not every liberal is a commie. Not every progressive is a revolutionary. Not everyone who wants life to be fairer for working families is a Bolshevik.
If the psychopathic left wants my pro-market, pro-merit, pro-free speech progressive sliver, they will have to come and take it. And then we will see. I don’t love my odds, but you aren’t making my life any easier by lobbing insults as if I’m too dumb to know what I’m up against. I’d rather you ask: “How can we help?”. But you do you.
I’m damn proud of what is left of my sliver of the Left. And you on the right have come around to appreciate a lot of what we accomplished together as '''loyal constructive opposition''' to each other over the years.
Ask yourself if you are better off with one more “Why I left the Left.” article.
I’d settle for “Thank you.” and a little help and encouragement given the fire from the DNC party leaders and character assassins. But
y’know
suit yourselves. If you wanna help the psychos that’s your call. Go Dodger Blue!
Ain’t freedom grand. That’s America to me. 🙏
|timestamp=6:23 AM · Aug 22, 2024
|media1=ERW-X-post-1826505346342625282-GVkM7j3bgAIHouE.jpg
}}
|timestamp=6:31 AM · Aug 22, 2024
}}
}}


=== 2025 ===
=== 2025 ===
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1897015061673337017
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=We deserve two functional parties. An adult party in power. And an adult party that constitutes the '''loyal opposition'''. Both of whom assume a nation full of adult citizens/voters with internet access and IQs above 50.  So...what then is this?
This is madness. This is narrative.
|timestamp=8:03 PM · Mar 4, 2025
}}
{{Tweet
|image=Eric profile picture.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein/status/1969082566436405381
|name=Eric Weinstein
|usernameurl=https://x.com/EricRWeinstein
|username=EricRWeinstein
|content=As a registered Democrat, why is it so difficult for our @DNC to say:
“We have a MASSIVE problem with having normalized dystopian revolutionaries as if they were liberals, utopians or even progress oriented. We have a violence, intolerance and terror problem posing as a compassion solution. We have a dissent problem where we are not supposed to point out the hate in our hymnal. This chases away every ambitious agentic young man with an IQ > 80. Our normalized  revolutionaries are now the only ones with truly bold ideas. We chased away Joe Rogan to ask ‘Where is the @joerogan of the left?’ Who exactly is running the ship here? Is the plan to lose the next several elections to make sure that all 9 justices are appointed by one party? Let’s just admit to the @DNC Biden cognitive coverup, the election tampering, and the COVID origins coverup
and move on with a *totally* new @DNC leadership based on making life fairer for American Working Families.”
We have an obligation to the country to pull out of this empistemic nosedive into nihilism completely independent of the many problems in the @GOP. Both sides need a '''loyal opposition'''.
|timestamp=4:54 PM · Sep 19, 2025
}}
{{Tweet
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https://instagram.com/reel/DPVUQtiDEFd/?igsh=eGkxYWx4bTdmaTlr
https://instagram.com/reel/DPVUQtiDEFd/?igsh=eGkxYWx4bTdmaTlr
|quote=
{{Tweet
|image=iwrotesham-profile.jpg
|nameurl=https://x.com/iwrotesham/status/1975037022483235250
|name=Steve Salerno
|usernameurl=https://x.com/iwrotesham
|username=iwrotesham
|content=I used to think they were just joking in a sardonic way, a la Kathy Griffin's 2017 beheading of Trump. I did not think Griffin was rooting for someone to kill Trump. She was being "edgy"
I now think that a fair % of the woke aren't joking anymore. They legit want righties whacked
|timestamp=3:36 AM · Oct 6, 2025
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|timestamp=3:36 AM · Oct 6, 2025
|timestamp=3:36 AM · Oct 6, 2025
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|timestamp=4:36 AM · Oct 6, 2025
|timestamp=4:36 AM · Oct 6, 2025
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== Related Pages ==
* [[Can’t vs Mustn’t]]
* [[Free Speech]]
* [[Degraded State]]
* [[Intellectual Dark Web]]
* [[Oral Torah vs Written Torah]]
* [[Regulated Expression]]
* [[Totalizing Ideologies]]
[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Sensemaking]]
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