Member of the inaugural cohort of the John Hay’s Summer Undergraduate Fellowship, Evan Kindler worked to examine how the values, ideas, and tactics expressed and used by the John Birch Society were essential parts of Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. The similarities had been expressed by pundits on both sides, prompting his investigation into their legitimacy.

Evan looked through the Hay’s collection of materials from the John Birch Society offices in coordination with various secondary sources to gain a basis of understanding before comparing them with Trump’s statements, plans, tactics and tweets. The comparison raised many questions for further inquiry. Why was Trump’s more blatant and unapologetic racism a viable tactic in 2015 while the Birch’s more veiled extremism in the mid 20th century was disregarded and mocked by the majority of Americans?

He hopes to continue his research and write an article in the coming months.