By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The author, having once been a dedicated MAGA supporter, realized the movement provided a sense of belonging and validation to those feeling unseen. Leaving MAGA was a difficult process, stemming from the casual acceptance of avoidable deaths, lies, and violence which caused a crisis in their identity. The author emphasizes that many people are drawn to MAGA due to feelings of being left behind and that empathy and understanding, not judgment, are crucial for those considering leaving the movement. A support group, “Leaving MAGA”, offers compassionate space for those affected and utilizes strategies for navigating relationships with those still involved.
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Many more are ready to leave MAGA — and I know how hard that is. The journey out of the MAGA movement is undoubtedly a complex one, a sentiment I can fully understand. It’s not just about a change in political affiliation; it’s about untangling oneself from a deeply ingrained ideology, a world view. Having witnessed the rise of anti-vaccine rhetoric and the events of January 6th, many are starting to question their long-held beliefs. These events serve as a catalyst, forcing a re-evaluation of the information sources they’ve trusted and the perspectives they’ve embraced.
The real challenge isn’t just leaving; it’s changing the fundamental beliefs that underpin the MAGA identity. It’s like a parasite leaving a host, seeking a new one. The core values, the distrust, the prejudices, these often remain, simply finding a new label or leader to rally around. The Tea Party morphed into MAGA, and MAGA, in turn, will likely transform into something else. The problem isn’t the name; it’s the people and their underlying beliefs. Addressing the root cause, which is the lack of accountability for actions, is paramount. This failure to hold people accountable for their choices has contributed to the issues our country faces.
It’s often said that MAGA was always a con, a carefully constructed illusion. For some, the disillusionment comes gradually, for others it’s a sudden awakening. The true essence of the con is built upon capitalism and conservatism. The problem is that many have devoted their lives to supporting a system that has enriched others while keeping them poor. It’s important to acknowledge the impact of the movement’s dangers, but also recognize that empathy and understanding can play a vital role in transformation.
The responsibility for one’s actions, and the consequences thereof, rests solely on the individual. True change requires accountability, and actively making amends with those who have been harmed is a necessary step. It’s difficult to predict the future of the MAGA movement, but it’s hard to imagine it continuing to thrive in the post-Trump era. It seems the culture craves a single strong leader, and it’s uncertain if there is another Trump-style conservative billionaire ready to fill that void. The lies and misinformation upon which the movement was built are coming to light, revealing the toxicity of its ideology.
The desire to belong to a group or movement is understandable, but it’s essential to critically examine what that movement truly stands for. What are the motivations behind supporting a political party that doesn’t seem to have your best interests at heart? Experts in cult dynamics, like Dr. Steven Hassan, can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of control and influence that characterize such groups. The reality is, it’s not enough to simply “move ahead” and pretend the past didn’t happen.
We must never forget or forgive the actions of those who supported this movement. They’ve repeatedly demonstrated their depravity and/or stupidity, and are therefore a danger to society. The story could have been written in 2021 as well; the core truth remains unchanged. “You can always come back but you can’t come back all the way,” as Bob Dylan put it. Fully trusting those who were once fully committed to MAGA may prove impossible. This narrative is about leaving a cult, and the experience is often compared to escaping a religious cult like Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Leaving a cult is incredibly difficult. And when a cult as vast as MAGA begins to crumble, the consequences can be bloody. It’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges and understand that the process of leaving is often a slow one. If someone who once embraced MAGA begins to express skepticism, it’s an opportunity to engage in a conversation. Cults don’t vanish overnight; they erode over time. Those who defect can become powerful voices in deprogramming others. This process is like overcoming addiction. It will destroy the user without intervention.
The reality is many Republicans may loathe Trump and the MAGA cult, but they dislike Democrats even more, leading them to choose the “lesser of two evils.” This dynamic can create a cycle of disillusionment and continued support for the same ideologies. This will not result in a mass defection of the Republican Party, and the movement’s downfall may not happen until Trump passes. But that does not change the fact that their actions have consequences and they may not be welcomed back into mainstream society.
The challenge is the fact that people are often voting for a set of values or beliefs rather than for a personality, and those values, the core of conservatism, may not change. The fear is that a new charismatic figure will emerge and these individuals will once again fall in line. The scariest part of all is the possibility of MAGA morphing into something even more destructive and racist. Some see a silver lining in this potential shift, viewing it as an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen key institutions like the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Getting out of a cult can be very hard, as those deep down know they’re in the wrong but continue to save face. It’s like the veil being lifted after a scam. It’s imperative that we start addressing the underlying issue: the weak minds which are easily influenced. Until the left steps up and stops placating these individuals, this cycle of influence will continue. For those who were not fully invested in the movement, or who are true believers in conservatism, it’s not possible to change those people. They are who they are at their core.
One should not forget the similarities between MAGA, cults, and living with domestic abuse: disbelief, fear, loneliness, unwarranted loyalty, gaslighting, and the steadfast justification of a situation that you thought would never happen to you. Understanding these parallels can empower individuals to recognize the tactics used to manipulate and control people.
It’s crucial to understand that those who were members of MAGA are, at their core, flawed people who were willing to cause harm to others whose views don’t align with their own. Those who are no longer supporting Trump, but still support the underlying racist ideologies, haven’t actually changed. The cycle will continue until the underlying issue, the core belief system, is addressed, and the consequences of the actions are fully accepted and addressed.