The Crisis of Authority: How Christopher Hayes's Vision Explains the Trump Era

In his 2012 book *Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy*, Christopher Hayes introduced the concept of a "Crisis of Authority," a phenomenon in which widespread distrust in institutions and elites leads to societal upheaval.

Hayes argued that the failures of meritocracy—an ideal system where success is based on talent and hard work—had instead created a self-perpetuating elite class, prone to corruption, incompetence, and detachment from the public.

This breakdown in trust, he predicted, would lead to political polarization, populist movements, and deeper societal fractures.

Fast forward to today, and Hayes’s analysis feels eerily prescient, particularly when viewed through the lens of Donald Trump’s rise and enduring influence in American politics.

The Crisis of Authority in Action 

The "Crisis of Authority" is rooted in the public's growing disillusionment with traditional institutions—government, media, academia, corporations, and even cultural elites.

Hayes argued that repeated institutional failures, from the 2008 financial crisis to scandals within religious organizations and political systems, had shattered the public's faith in these pillars of society.

People no longer saw these institutions as trustworthy or capable of serving their interests. Instead, they began to view them as tools for maintaining elite power at the expense of ordinary citizens.

This erosion of trust created an opening for populist figures like Donald Trump.

Trump positioned himself as an outsider who could challenge the so-called "elite establishment." His rhetoric about "draining the swamp," his disdain for traditional norms of governance, and his attacks on institutions like the media resonated with a public that had already grown skeptical of those in power.

Trump’s rise was not simply a rejection of one political party or ideology—it was a rejection of the entire system that many Americans felt had failed them.

Trump and the Exploitation of Distrust 

Trump’s political success can be seen as a direct manifestation of Hayes’s warnings about the dangers of elite dysfunction.

For decades, Americans have watched as income inequality has widened, social mobility has stagnated, and powerful institutions have repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises.

From Wall Street bailouts to endless wars overseas, these failures have left many feeling abandoned by those in charge.

Trump tapped into this anger and distrust by presenting himself as a champion for "the forgotten man and woman."

He rejected traditional political norms and used his outsider status to position himself as an alternative to what he called a corrupt and rigged system.

His attacks on institutions—from calling the press "the enemy of the people" to undermining trust in elections—further deepened public skepticism toward authority.

This approach not only solidified his base but also amplified the polarization Hayes warned about.

The Self-Perpetuating Nature of Elite Power 

Hayes’s critique of meritocracy also helps explain why Trump’s appeal endures despite his own elite status as a wealthy businessman and former reality TV star.

In *Twilight of the Elites*, Hayes argued that meritocracy often creates a closed loop where elites use their power to protect their own interests while claiming legitimacy through their supposed talents or achievements.

Trump flipped this dynamic on its head by rejecting the traditional markers of elite legitimacy—such as expertise or decorum—and instead embracing populist rhetoric that resonated with those who felt excluded from the system.

At the same time, Trump’s presidency highlighted how elites manipulate systems for their own benefit.

His administration was marked by tax cuts favoring corporations and wealthy individuals, nepotism within his inner circle, and efforts to undermine regulatory agencies—all actions that perpetuated elite dominance while claiming to fight it.

This paradoxical dynamic underscores Hayes’s point: even when elites fail or are exposed as corrupt, they often remain entrenched because they control the levers of power.

Polarization and Societal Fractures

One of Hayes’s most striking predictions was that the "Crisis of Authority" would lead to deeper societal fractures.

Under Trump’s leadership—and continuing into today—American society has become increasingly polarized.

Distrust in institutions has reached unprecedented levels, with many Americans now questioning everything from election integrity to scientific consensus.

This polarization has been exacerbated by Trump’s divisive rhetoric and his ability to exploit cultural grievances for political gain.

Hayes also warned about how this distrust could spiral into a feedback loop: as institutions fail or are attacked, public confidence erodes further, making it even harder for these institutions to function effectively.

This cycle has played out repeatedly during Trump’s tenure and beyond—whether through attacks on public health agencies during COVID-19 or ongoing challenges to democratic norms.

A Warning for the Future 

Christopher Hayes’s *Twilight of the Elites* serves as both an explanation for how we arrived at this moment and a warning about where we might be headed if these dynamics remain unchecked.

The "Crisis of Authority" is not just about Donald Trump—it is about a broader societal reckoning with systems that have failed too many people for too long.

Until these systemic issues are addressed—through reforms that restore trust in institutions and create more equitable opportunities—the conditions that allowed Trump’s rise will persist.

As we navigate this era of uncertainty, Hayes’s insights remind us that rebuilding trust requires more than rhetoric; it requires tangible changes that address inequality, hold elites accountable, and make institutions truly serve the public good.

Without such changes, we risk perpetuating a cycle of distrust and division—a cycle that threatens not just our politics but the very fabric of our society.