Questions About Family Relations Lately - Everyone

Both mine and my wife's families have loons, halfwits and malcontents in them. On the drive home or when the last one leaves our home, we usually have a good laugh after family events and holidays.
This past weekend however, was somewhat different.
The usual uber-lib uncle and aunts are almost unbearable to make small talk with.
The lesbian cousin and her wife are over the top hating on everything.
Family who used to be non-political are now taking sides.
The formerly generous grandparents who would always offer to pay for food didn't for the first time in decades.

The entire 4th of July family gathering was awkward and unpleasant. It's a good thing we decided to rent a park space this year (kudos to my wife for thinking of that. I mostly spent the day with my boys playing a small game of baseball with some other families that were in the park.

Anyone else experiencing an increase in awkwardness and uneasiness with close family ?

I'm not usually good at picking up on "atmosphere", but recent gatherings and this past one are difficult to ignore.