MAGA movement
The "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement, born from a repurposed slogan, profoundly reshaped American politics and the Republican Party. Closely aligned with Trumpism, it emerged as a defining force in modern conservatism, evolving into the largest movement within the GOP. We'll uncover its complex history, surprising ideological shifts, and influential figures who continue to define its direction. The MAGA movement repurposed a historical slogan, transforming it into the largest and most influential faction within the modern Republican Party. Its ideology, while rooted in right-wing populism, has seen significant shifts, including a move towards interventionist foreign policy and pronounced internal conflicts. Key figures like Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, and Nick Fuentes have profoundly shaped the movement's intellectual and popular discourse, reflecting its diverse and sometimes contradictory elements.
AI Summary
The "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement, born from a repurposed slogan, profoundly reshaped American politics and the Republican Party. Closely aligned with Trumpism, it emerged as a defining force in modern conservatism, evolving into the largest movement within the GOP. We'll uncover its complex history, surprising ideological shifts, and influential figures who continue to define its direction.
- The MAGA movement repurposed a historical slogan, transforming it into the largest and most influential faction within the modern Republican Party.
- Its ideology, while rooted in right-wing populism, has seen significant shifts, including a move towards interventionist foreign policy and pronounced internal conflicts.
- Key figures like Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, and Nick Fuentes have profoundly shaped the movement's intellectual and popular discourse, reflecting its diverse and sometimes contradictory elements.
A Slogan Reborn
In June 2015, when businessman Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the 2016 US presidential election, he unveiled a phrase that would become synonymous with his political identity: "Make America Great Again." This wasn't a new invention, however. The slogan had a surprising history, previously used by Ronald Reagan in his 1980 campaign and even mentioned by Bill Clinton during his presidency.
Trump himself claimed he conceived of the phrase after the 2012 election, swiftly trademarking it to make it his own. What began as a campaign motto rapidly transformed into a powerful brand, emblazoned on merchandise like the iconic red baseball caps and becoming a rallying cry, a statement of intent for millions of his supporters.
Navigating Turbulent Waters: Trump's First Presidency (2017–2021)
During Trump's first term, the MAGA movement faced significant challenges, including the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While supporters largely remained steadfast, differing views emerged on the disease's severity and the government's appropriate response. Some even criticized health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci for what they perceived as political motivations.
Another pivotal moment arrived with the widespread protests following the murder of George Floyd. The MAGA movement vociferously opposed calls to "defund the police," often leading to counter-protests. These confrontations, unfortunately, sometimes escalated into violence, tragically leading to deaths such as those in Portland and the Kenosha unrest.
The 2020 Election Aftermath
The outcome of the 2020 presidential election sparked further shifts within the movement. When major news outlets, including Fox News, called Arizona for Joe Biden, Trump openly criticized them. This led many MAGA followers to seek out alternative news sources like One America News Network and Newsmax, which more readily embraced claims of electoral fraud.
This media migration wasn't without its own controversies. Even these alternative platforms faced scrutiny, from criticism by QAnon supporters to false allegations of ownership by figures like George Soros. The search for news aligning with specific narratives underscored a growing distrust in mainstream media and a fracturing media landscape.
Between Presidencies: 2021–2025
Even after Trump's first term, the MAGA movement remained a significant topic of public discourse. President Joe Biden notably stated that Trump and MAGA Republicans posed a threat to the United States, keeping the movement at the forefront of political conversation.
Trump's Second Presidency: 2025–Present
During Trump's second term, a notable ideological shift occurred. The MAGA movement, once often associated with non-interventionism, pivoted towards a more interventionist stance. This included increased commentary on foreign politics and even military actions against nations like Venezuela and Iran, alongside expansionist interests in the Arctic.
Global Reach and Resonance
The MAGA movement's influence wasn't confined to American borders; it resonated internationally. In Canada, for instance, self-identified MAGA accounts attempted to sway the 2019 federal election against Justin Trudeau. In Mexico, members expressed support for protests against President Claudia Sheinbaum in 2025, following the assassination of a local mayor.
Further afield, the movement drew attention to the annulled 2024 Romanian presidential election and its subsequent rerun in 2025, especially regarding the disqualification of candidate Călin Georgescu. Romanian political figures even engaged with MAGA figures to highlight this controversy, seeking international leverage.
The United Kingdom also saw significant interaction, with traditionalist conservatives showing interest. Figures like former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss reportedly appeared at MAGA-hosted events, and Nigel Farage began organizing rallies similar to MAGA events ahead of local elections in 2025, illustrating a shared political language and strategy.
Even in Germany, concerns over a potential ban of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party for political extremism led party officials to seek meetings with MAGA figures. This global network suggests a broader conservative alignment seeking solidarity and strategic exchange across nations.
Ideology and Internal Dynamics
At its core, the MAGA movement is broadly categorized as right-wing. President Joe Biden controversially described its ideology as "semi-fascism." Oxford professor Ian Goldin suggests the movement gained traction from persistent economic inequality and anxiety, conditions that continued to bolster it through Trump's second term.
Immigration Policy
A central tenet of the MAGA movement's ideology is its strong stance on immigration. Polls indicate that a significant majority of 2024 Trump voters wanted his administration to exceed the largest deportation efforts in US history. Furthermore, many MAGA Republicans supported federal immigration agents wearing masks, signaling a desire for strict enforcement and anonymity.
Internal Divides
Despite its outward appearance of unity, the MAGA movement has been marked by internal conflicts since its early days, with ideological clashes even occurring at inauguration parties. These divisions can be seen at the extremes, from nativist groups like the Groypers and Nick Fuentes on one end, to pro-immigration technolibertarians like Elon Musk on the other.
This ideological rift became particularly stark following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent Gaza war, where members found themselves split over US assistance to Israel and even the legitimacy of the Israeli state. This extended to historical events like the USS Liberty incident, with figures like Ben Shapiro defending the official narrative while others, including Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, argued it was an intentional "false flag" operation.
Who Are MAGA Republicans? Composition and Influencers
Intellectual Underpinnings
According to scholar Laura K. Field, the intellectuals within the MAGA movement coalesce around different ideals but share a common disdain for liberalism. Her analysis identifies groups associated with the Claremont Institute, postliberals, and Christian nationalists as key intellectual drivers behind the movement's thought.
Field also notes a periphery collective characterized by a "hypermasculine and Chauvinistic aesthetic" and rhetoric, often adopting absurdist names like "Raw Egg Nationalist" or "Bronze Age Pervert." This illustrates the diverse and sometimes unconventional elements that comprise the movement, extending beyond traditional political circles.
It's important to note that not all Republicans identify with the MAGA movement. While a November 2025 poll indicated over a third of Republicans did not consider themselves 'MAGA Republicans,' by March 2026, a YouGov poll showed that sixty percent of Republicans identified as MAGA, cementing its status as the largest modern movement within the party.
Charlie Kirk
Right-wing activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk was a key ally of Donald Trump and a central figure in the MAGA movement, especially for his influence on youth. He co-founded and served as CEO of Turning Point USA, an organization dedicated to mobilizing conservative youth, and briefly chaired Students for Trump.
Kirk was tragically assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a public debate event at Utah Valley University. His views encompassed pro-life and anti-gun control stances, and he was known for using white nationalist talking points such as the Great Replacement theory, making him a polarizing but instrumental figure in Trump's rise.
Ben Shapiro
Political commentator Ben Shapiro is considered one of the most influential figures in the MAGA movement due to building a large media empire that caters to conservative and right-wing audiences. As co-founder and CEO of The Daily Wire, he provides a platform that helps shape the discourse for many within the movement.
Nick Fuentes
Nick Fuentes, a far-right neo-Nazi podcaster and internet personality, previously supported Trump in 2016 and 2020. However, in 2024, he became more vocally opposed, stating he did not vote. During Trump's second term, Fuentes has been critical of the administration, mainly regarding Israel policy and the Epstein files, even encouraging his followers to vote Democrat in March 2026.
While Fuentes has been consistently denounced by "mainstream MAGA figures" such as Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin, others like Megyn Kelly and former MAGA figure Tucker Carlson have defended or even embraced him, highlighting the deep ideological spectrum within and around the movement.
Political Theorists
Among the notable political theorists associated with the movement is Patrick Deneen, a University of Notre Dame professor whose 2018 book 'Why Liberalism Failed' provided significant theoretical groundwork, articulating many of the critiques of modern liberalism that resonate deeply within the MAGA movement.
Article
MAGA movement
The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement is an American right-wing political movement that began with Donald Trump's announcement initiating a campaign in the 2016 United States presidential election. The movement is closely aligned with Trumpism, a set of ideologies and beliefs surrounding Trump.
The movement reshaped the country's identity, particularly within the Republican Party. In a poll conducted by YouGov in March 2026, sixty percent of Republicans identified themselves as MAGA, making it the biggest modern movement within the party.
History
2015–2016: Establishment and Trump's initial victory
In June 2015, reality television star and businessman Donald Trump announced that he was running for president in the 2016 United States presidential election. His campaign employed the term "make America great again", a political slogan previously associated with Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and mentioned by President Bill Clinton several times in his presidential campaigns and presidency. Trump used the phrase in his announcement speech to criticize other presidential candidates as "controlled fully by the lobbyists". The phrase was also used on Trump's campaign website and by Texas senator Ted Cruz in praising Trump for announcing his presidential campaign.
The MAGA hat is a symbol for the MAGA movement.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump stated that he thought of the phrase after the 2012 presidential election and filed for a trademark five days later; the trademark came into effect a month after Trump announced his campaign. Merchandise containing the phrase "Make America Great Again" was sold at Trump Tower. The phrase was also used on baseball caps worn by Trump as early as July, in a visit to Laredo, Texas. It was additionally the name of two political action committees supporting Trump's campaign.
2017–2021: Trump's first presidency
As the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States worsened in March 2020, conflicting beliefs regarding disease severity the federal government's response divided the MAGA movement, though supporters of Trump remained steadfast in seeking to contain COVID-19 to ensure Trump's victory in the 2020 presidential election. The threat of COVID-19 was made apparent to followers of the MAGA movement after warnings from Trump's health officials; nonetheless, several Trump supporters articulated that Trump's response could be extreme. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, received criticism from a minority of far-right Trump supporters for his apparent political beliefs. As protests began across the United States in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, followers of the MAGA movement vociferously opposed the political slogan "defund the police". Several members approached demonstrations with counterprotests, a development that resulted in the killings of Aaron Danielson and Michael Reinoehl, a Trump supporter and his alleged killer, respectively, and the Kenosha unrest shooting, in which Kyle Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two.
As the 2020 presidential election results were broadcast, Trump publicly criticized Fox News for being the first news network to declare that Joe Biden had won the election in Arizona. His comments resulted in some members of the MAGA movement shifting towards news networks such as One America News Network and Newsmax, which embraced false claims of electoral fraud more vigorously than Fox News, and towards social networks such as Parler. Newsmax received criticism itself from QAnon supporters, who denounced the network's use of a photograph of a man wearing a hoodie to illustrate white nationalism, and Parler faced false allegations that it was owned by the investor and philanthropist George Soros, the subject of conspiracy theories from Trump's supporters.
2021–2025: Between presidencies
The MAGA movement remained a significant topic of public discourse between Trump's first and second term. During his presidency, Joe Biden stated that Trump and MAGA Republicans are a threat to the United States.
2025–present: Trump's second presidency
During Trump's second term, the ideology of the MAGA movement appeared to take a shift from non-interventionism to interventionism via increased commentary on the politics of foreign nations, military attacks on countries such as Venezuela and Iran, and expansionist ambitions in the arctic.
Activities
Foreign involvement and recognition
Ahead of the 2019 Canadian federal election, accounts on Twitter identifying themselves as members of the MAGA movement mounted a failed campaign to defeat the Liberal Party and its leader, Justin Trudeau. Following the assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo in Mexico in November 2025, protests against the country's president Claudia Sheinbaum received support from members of the MAGA movement.
After the 2024 Romanian presidential election was held and promptly annulled amid allegations of Russian interference, the resulting election the following year received attention from the MAGA movement. The controversy over Călin Georgescu's disqualification was brought to several MAGA figures by Adrian Thiess, a Romanian political fixer.
The MAGA movement has attracted an international audience, particularly from traditionalist conservatives in the United Kingdom. British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss began appearing at several events hosted for the MAGA movement after their premierships. Ahead of local elections in May 2025, Nigel Farage began hosting political events similar to MAGA rallies.
Amid concerns that the Alternative for Germany would be banned for political extremism after the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the party as right-wing extremist, several party officials began meeting with MAGA figures to protect itself.
Ideology
MAGA movement
The MAGA movement has been described as right-wing. President Joe Biden described the ideology of the MAGA movement as "semi-fascism". According to Ian Goldin, a professor of globalization at the University of Oxford, the MAGA movement was bolstered by economic inequality and anxiety, conditions that persisted through Trump's second term.
Immigration
According to Politico, a poll was conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, which is a pollster that Trump has used in all of his presidential election runs. The poll found that 87 percent of 2024 Trump Voters want Trump to exceed the previous largest deportation effort in US history which was led by President Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s. Between January 27 and February 6 of 2026, NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey, surveyed over 20,000 adults online. The survey found that 74 percent of MAGA Republicans support federal immigration agents wearing masks.
Internal conflicts
According to Politico, the MAGA movement has been defined by internal conflicts since as early as December 2016 when members of the movement conflicted over ideologies at inauguration parties. An instance of a prominent conflict has been characterized at the extremes by the divide between the nativist ideology of the groups such as the Groypers and Nick Fuentes on one end and the pro-immigration technolibertarians such as Elon Musk on the other.
After the October 7 attacks and the resulting Gaza war, the MAGA movement divided over U.S. assistance to Israel and the legitimacy of the State of Israel. The split has extended to the USS Liberty incident in the Six-Day War; the political commentator Ben Shapiro, Texas senator Ted Cruz, and the National Review's editor-in-chief, Rich Lowry, have defended the conclusion of the Naval Court of Inquiry and the government of Israel that the ship was sunk by the Israeli military by accident, while the commentators Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, and Arizona representative Paul Gosar have claimed that the ship's identity was known to Israel and was an intentional false flag operation.
Composition
MAGA movement
According to Laura K. Field in Furious Minds (2025), intellectuals in the MAGA movement comprise several primary ideological associations centered around differing ideals yet connected through a collective disdain for liberalism. Field's groupings include individuals associated with the Claremont Institute, postliberals, and Christian nationalists; Field additionally noted the existence of a loose collective on the peripheries of the MAGA movement that engages in a hypermasculine and Chauvinistic aesthetic and rhetoric with absurdist names, such as Raw Egg Nationalist and Bronze Age Pervert.
As of November 2025, over a third of Republicans do not consider themselves to be MAGA Republicans, according to a Politico poll.
Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk at the 2023 Turning Point Action Conference
Right wing activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk was a key ally of Donald Trump and a central figure in the MAGA movement, particularly for his influence on the youth. Kirk primarily built his career off of interacting with young people. He was best known for being the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA); an organization which aims at mobilizing conservative youth. He was also briefly Chairman of Students for Trump. Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a public debate event at Utah Valley University hosted by TPUSA as part of their American Comeback Tour.
Some of Kirk's main views are described as being pro-life, transphobic, and anti-gun control. He also sometimes used white nationalist talking points such as the Great Replacement theory.
Many consider Kirk an instrumental figure in the rise of Trump and the MAGA movement. Following his victory in the 2024 presidential election, Trump credited Kirk with increased support amongst young people.
Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro at America Fest 2024
Right-wing political commentator Ben Shapiro is considered one of the most influential figures in the MAGA movement due to the large media empire catering to conservative and right-wing audiences he built. He is best known for being the co-founder and CEO of The Daily Wire.
Nick Fuentes
Nick Fuentes is a far-right neo-Nazi podcaster and internet personality who previously supported Trump in 2016 and 2020. However, in 2024 he became more vocally against him and has said he did not vote in that election. During Trump's second term, Fuentes has been critical of the administration mainly in regards to Israel policy and the Epstein files.
In March 2026, he encouraged his followers to vote Democrat.
Fuentes has been consistently denounced by "Mainstream MAGA figures" such as Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin while others, such as Megyn Kelly and former MAGA figure Tucker Carlson, have defended or even embraced him.
Political theorists
Political theorists associated with the MAGA movement include Patrick Deneen, a University of Notre Dame professor who authored Why Liberalism Failed (2018).