The forgotten book that foretold Trump’s power grab

In May 2015, Charles Murray, a well-known right-wing intellectual, released a book urging the wealthy to finance a rebellion against the American government. The book, titled “By the People: Rebuilding Liberty Without Permission,” argued that the expansion of the regulatory state posed a serious threat to the American way of life, making federal authority illegitimate. Murray proposed that wealthy donors establish a legal defense fund, the Madison Fund, to support civil disobedience against the regulatory state by providing legal defense and paying fines for noncompliance.

While Murray’s book has faded from memory, recent events during Trump’s second term, such as the dismantling of federal agencies, suggest a reexamination of its ideas. The book’s extreme stance against liberal governance, skepticism of democracy, and emphasis on the power of the wealthy anticipated actions taken by figures like Trump and Elon Musk in 2025.

Murray, known for his work on class and race inequality, has long criticized welfare programs and government intervention. “By the People” delves into political theory, arguing that the modern regulatory state infringes on personal liberties and is illegitimate. Murray questions the government’s legitimacy and the erosion of American liberty due to excessive state intervention.

The book raises concerns about popular sovereignty and the people’s right to determine the limits of government power through democratic processes. Murray contends that Americans have lost faith in the government and become reliant on federal assistance, leading to a shift towards a more expansive state.

Murray’s call for a billionaire-funded Madison Fund to support civil disobedience echoes sentiments among conservative activists in the 2010s, reflecting a broader skepticism towards the legitimacy of the modern American state. The book’s ideas shed light on the conservative movement’s acceptance of Trump’s actions that challenge established norms and legal boundaries.

The influence of Murray’s book offers insights into why traditional conservatives have aligned with Trump’s anti-government agenda, as seen in Musk’s support for Trump and the subsequent efforts to reduce the regulatory state. Despite legal uncertainties and constitutional concerns, some conservatives have embraced Trump’s actions as a necessary pushback against what they view as a corrupted political system.

Murray’s book, though largely forgotten, serves as a clear illustration of how prevailing beliefs on the right paved the way for Trump’s unconventional approach to governance. It underscores the tension between upholding constitutional principles and challenging government authority, reflecting a broader shift in conservative ideologies towards a more defiant stance against the status quo.