Leaving MAGA Ask Me Anything

I think many (most?) who vote tend to be enamored with "change" candidates; Obama and Trump were such candidates.

🧵One of the most significant hindrances to people leaving MAGA is the judgment from others; I understand why someone wanting to leave, or having doubts, wouldn’t, out of fear of ostracization.

Both parties are generally afraid of “change” candidates---Obama, Trump, Sanders, Mamdani; not comparing Obama, Sanders and Mamdani to Trump, but recall that the GOP was nearly as against Trump, at one time, as they were Hillary. Recall that it took time for Democrats to embrace Obama.

It’s easy to write off those in MAGA as hopeless. I was so extreme in my MAGA support that most not in MAGA, understandably, looked at me as hopeless.

New conservatism is about vengeance against an imaginary threat of liberalism. Conservative ideas are favored by the minority of Americans not because of a leftist conspiracy, but because liberalism has long been the preference of the majority.

The irony of religious parents refusing to vaccinate their kids is: vaccines are medical miracles.

Genuinely curious to better understand why firearm open carry advocates feel the way they do.

There is a phobic refusal of many in America to try and understand another’s viewpoint; most hold some rational positions, and beliefs are shaped by information sources; experiences; trauma of some sort, perhaps; etc.

Online drives most of what we see. And it’s easy to forget that what’s online isn’t representative of most people; it’s why combatting mis- & dis-info is always an upstream battle. Online transforms minority views into seemingly majority ones, because of the amplification of online views and takes.

MAGA fosters certainty in the community. Those who oppose us aren’t mere opponents with whom we disagree; they are existential threats to our lives, nation, livelihoods and families. Certainty can lead to an extremism that isn’t accompanied with uncertainty.

Our first support group for friends and family of those in MAGA is tonight, starting 7 p.m. EST. us06web.zoom.us/j/8842790293...

Leaving MAGA Ask Me Anything with Adam Kinzinger. We have many answers to your many questions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KneB...

2 days until Leaving MAGA’s free support groups for friends and family of MAGA. DM us if you’d like the registration link. #leavingmaga

I was a teenage Trumper: How a first-gen immigrant fell out of love with MAGA www.rawstory.com/raw-investig...

There are some in MAGA who will suffer injury, death and trauma from FL's decision to eliminate vaccine mandates. When this occurs--and it will--it is important we welcome them, which might lead to them leaving MAGA, eventually.

I was once an admirer of Ron DeSantis. In the first 18 months of the pandemic, I thought he showed mostly sensible leadership, especially compared to Trump, whom I knew was badly mismanaging the national response.

Leaving MAGA support groups

Leaving MAGA will begin soon hosting a support group for friends and family of those in MAGA. To learn more, and register, visit here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Why I left MAGA

3 years ago today, I left MAGA. Today’s message is a longer one, but I hope you’ll bear with me.

I left MAGA 3 years ago today. Thoughts to follow later.

Many in MAGA feel that liberal democracy has failed them, and left them behind; for some, this is somewhat of an understandable grievance. Feelings of disillusionment with our politics and 2 parties were part of my entrée into MAGA.

Meet Jay, and why he left MAGA. #leavingmaga

What I came to understand about the President is that there is very little he does not lie about. Lying is his toxic superpower.

Be sure to check out our contributor videos to the MeidasTouch Network: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Here's Leaving MAGA's latest, for the MeidasTouch Network: meet Danny; an epiphany in prison led him to leave MAGA @meidastouch.com @meiselasb.bsky.social @bmeiselas.bsky.social @meidasjordy.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s1J...

Meet Madison, who left MAGA.

Meet Danny, and why he left MAGA.

For those in MAGA estranged from their friends and family, leaving MAGA is accompanied by the fear of, "I told you so," ostracization from their friends and family.

Looking back, I was absolutely miserable while in MAGA. The MAGA reality makes adherents panicked, rageful, paranoid, desperate, despondent, despaired and nihilistic. Gift article. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/o...

I believe we must show some empathy to many MAGA supporters. Many will say they are happy to be MAGA; I'm not saying they are dishonest, but I believe that is a coping mechanism.

All are flawed, but character does matter, irrespective of how many may think it doesn’t.

The gunman was, ultimately, responsible for his actions. But he was also influenced by anti-Covid vaccine conspiracists. Ron DeSantis platforming anti-vaxxers at his pressers was one of the reasons I left MAGA. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/u...

Here's an article I wrote 2 years ago; wish I'd been wrong. newrepublic.com/article/1749...

One’s perception is one’s reality. As a Homo sapiens species, we make decisions based on perceptions and emotions—not facts or policies. To change minds, new perceptions must be introduced; then, facts can follow.

I admittedly struggle with the fact that most in MAGA are good people, but MAGA is an extremist group. Any group who dehumanizes those not in the community is an extremist group.

When I was in MAGA, we talked all the time about how racism was near non-existent, and how equality had been fully realized. Yet, the GOP and those in MAGA want to make America great “again.” Why "again"?

In hindsight, the genesis of my “burn it down” mentality stemmed from a belief that the 2 parties were the same, globalization, an irrational disdain of Hillary…

The Democratic internecine war always comes down to: appeal more to progressivism, or centrism?

Political climates and conditions are shaped by numerous factors; liberal democracy and classic liberalism are wounded animals, and have made for easy prey. Feelings that liberalism and liberal democracy have failed are not entirely unwarranted.

Dear MAGA: We are here for you

Leaving MAGA AMA: ask me anything

Leaving MAGA is unafraid of Trump

I don't think there has ever been a time, more so than now, in which MAGA supporters are feeling confused. Most MAGA supporters care about the safety and security of children.

In the 10-min. conversation I had with a MAGA voter, she did not make one factual statement, save for my name.

Leaving MAGA's Mar-a-Lago billboard was a success, thanks to all of our generous donors!! Help us raise funds for a future billboard in West Palm Beach---not far from Mar-a-Lago, and one of the busiest parts of FL. www.gofundme.com/f/support-le...