Why MAGA Attracts Followers

By Doug Smith 8/14/25

We need to understand why people are drawn into the Trump cult.  It’s because American society doesn’t seem to be working anymore for some people, especially for those with lower incomes.  It’s harder to buy homes, to save money, to stay employed, to get health insurance, and it’s hard to see that your kids won’t necessarily have a better life than you have.  Who is to blame for this?  Right-wing media points the finger at immigrants, LGBTQ citizens, people of color, the media, the “elites,” liberal politicians and the ACLU, and says “they are responsible for your tough life.” 

The truth is, billionaires have been working through their Republican minions for decades to hollow-out the middle class by destroying unions, cutting taxes for the wealthy and for big corporations, holding down the minimum wage, making higher education more expensive, and many other ways.  The MAGA faithful don’t understand this, because they get all their “news” from a closed loop media ecosystem, dominated by Fox News.  Accordingly, Trump comes along and validates their misplaced anger by raging at all the people they’ve been told to hate, which resonates with people because they want revenge on everyone who they believe has “taken their America away.”  Their problems aren’t solved, but it makes them feel good, even “righteous.” 

These folks are not mistaken that there are problems in America today, but I hope some of them can handle the truth about who is truly to blame.  Many won’t be persuadable, but there must be some folks on the fringe who are thinking, “I didn’t vote for THAT.”  Together we can begin to fix the problems that are weighing down the middle class and oppressing the poor. Diminishing the power of the oligarchs is a good place to start. We can limit billionaires’ unlimited campaign contributions, force transparency in campaign finance, and overturn the Citizens United decision.   Then we can cut taxes on low-income folks, and increase taxes on the super-rich, not just through income taxes, but also capital gains and corporate taxes.   Once the rich are paying their fair share, we can afford to build back the kind of responsible government we used to have and rebuild the safety net programs and benefits that we all used to enjoy. 

This won’t be easy.  It’s not easy for anyone to admit they were wrong.  I know, because I had to in 2004 when I switched from Republican to Independent.  There’s also discomfort in going against “your tribe.”  It is very challenging and scary.  However, once people can hear and understand the truth, we can begin to work together to make the positive changes that will lead to a brighter tomorrow for everyone.