Extreme ass-kissing has definitely been around for ages. However, social media gives these people a platform for effectively widespreading their bullshit. Another thing that seems like a newer phenomenon, at least in a democracy and in the current magnitude, is the complete loss of accountability. Politicians used to (be forced) to step down when they did really shameful stuff, I don’t see that happening now. Then there is the whole January 6th stuff, etc. etc.