I consider myself an intellectual, insofar as I value ideas, precise definitions, and clear and rational arguments. I have advanced degrees in mathematics, and have been a practitioner of quantitative analysis for 20+ years.
I am a pragmatist. The ultimate test of an idea is whether it works.
Some of the Nevertrump literati such as Ben Shapiro don’t meet my standards for intellectual excellence. Shapiro has a narrow, elitist, Platonist view of the role and edification of political leaders.
My view is broad, accepting, and Aristotelian.
I strongly support Trump in this election.
The problem is that the word ‘intellectual’ has been co-opted and miss used,like many words,ie: conservative. It’s what progressives,Marxists do. Co-opt the language, cultural Marxism itself given a nicey-nice name ‘ political correctness’. People today who fancy themselves as intellectuals do nothing but engage in group think, if one is engaged in group think,I think there is not a lot of thinking going on.