Who is MAGA?

Cracks are beginning to form in the MAGA coalition. That initially became evident with the Trump administration's mishandling of the Epstein files. Slightly below surface is the ongoing battle over anti-semitism being fueled by people like Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Nick Fuentes.  

No that Trump has started a war with Iran, those cracks are beginning to widen. Many of MAGA's most powerful influencers are breaking ranks with the president in ways that are unprecedented, given the cult-like devotions they've shown in the past. In typical fashion, Fuentes has been the most explosive.

Fuentes calls the decision to start a war with Iran his "breaking point" and that he's "off the Trump train." He goes on to say that he won't vote in the 2026 midterms and if Rubio or Vance are on the ticket in 2028, he'll vote Democrat. Frankly, I'll believe it when I see it. But them's fighting words, for sure.

Fuentes, however, isn't the only one. MAGA influencers breaking ranks with Trump include Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Matt Walsh, Candace Owens, Sohrab Ahmari, and even gun-for-hire Eric Prince. Those are just a few that I've noticed. Perhaps there are others.

At this point, right wing cable news channels like Fox and NewsNation have maintained their allegiance to the president. It's the podcasters and the anti-interventionist faction that aren't happy with their leader's latest move. As has been noted, that latter group includes VP Vance's allies - putting him in an awkward position. 

Given that Carlson and Kelly reach the largest audiences, Rachel Bade reached out to the president to ask him for a response to their criticisms. 

“I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two,” Trump said, referring to Kelly and Carlson. “MAGA wants to see our country thrive and be safe. And MAGA loves what I’m doing — every aspect of it."

Of course, that is his narcissism talking. But is it true? Could Trump maintain his dominance over conservatives if MAGA influencers turned their backs on him and quit propping up his lies? I have my doubts.