What has surprised me the most about America’s pell-mell plunge into autocracy and chaos under MAGA and Trump has been the rapidity with which the veil of civility has been discarded–how quickly a depressingly-large segment of our population has abandoned pretense and “dog whistles” and proudly paraded their racism. Even the pretense that DEI and “woke-ism” were really efforts at “reverse discrimination” has been so ludicrous it might as well have been delivered with a wink and a sneer.
We live in an ugly time–a time that has favored the emergence of some particularly ugly people. In a recent post, Charlie Sykes profiled one of them, an “out and proud” Nazi named Nick Fuentes. As he writes, “I confess, I still find it amazing — and deeply disturbing — that a Hitler-praising, crypto-Nazi troll has amassed a following in a movement already packed with cranks, bigots, and loons.”
Sykes quotes liberally from an Atlantic article that quite accurately notes, “Fuentes is not your garden variety racist — he serves it up in all its vile purity.”
Earlier this year, in yet another stream, Fuentes described Chicago as “n*gger hell.” He then laughed and added: “I just came up with that, just now. Isn’t that good?” Fuentes has also said that Hitler was “really fucking cool” and posited that “we need to go back to burning women alive.” (Fuentes did not respond to multiple requests for an interview.)
As Sykes observes, “this is shocking rhetoric even in 2025, when the far right has embraced race science and the federal government could be mistaken for pursuing the aims of the Proud Boys.”
And he quotes the Atlantic article for the observation that– in the deeply racist MAGA media ecosystem– “it’s working.”
Fuentes is among the most popular streamers on Rumble, a right-wing platform similar to YouTube; his videos regularly rack up hundreds of thousands of views. He’s gained more than 100,000 new followers on X since late June. The White House now posts on X in a gleefully cruel style that seems inspired by Fuentes’s followers, who call themselves “Groypers”—in fact, at the end of May, Trump posted a meme of himself that was first posted by a Groyper account. At least one Fuentes supporter, Paul Ingrassia, works in the administration as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. Ingrassia, who didn’t respond to an interview request, has also been nominated to lead the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. No matter how far Fuentes pushes his bigotry, his influence continues to rise.
Those of us who live in a very different world–a world where we recognize that humans come in assorted sizes and colors, a world where the mere fact of difference doesn’t translate to “existential threat”–can only be disheartened and baffled by these numbers. Yes, there have always been deeply disturbed individuals clinging to hateful ideologies that reassure them that they are blameless victims of one or another “Other.” But we are now seeing evidence that their numbers are far greater than most of us could have imagined.
When we look at the horrific damage being done to American government every day, when we see the corruption and self-dealing and kowtowing to the wealthy, it’s tempting to blame America’s plutocrats–the all-too-sleazy billionaires who surround our Mad King. And they certainly are not blameless. But their weapon–the appeal that allows MAGA to win elections and exercise power–is the viciousness and extent of racism and other assorted bigotries.
The public emergence and popularity of figures like Nick Fuentes is a sign of a deep social illness. I have no idea how to cure that illness, but I do know that we dismiss its significance at our peril. There are obviously millions of damaged, unhappy, resentful Americans–people who are desperate for someone to blame for their problems, desperate to identify some “Other” whose perfidy explains why their lives haven’t gone the way they wanted.
They are MAGA–and their version of a “great” America is terrifying.
I faced a personal economic situation this past week when making a change to my personal checking and savings accounts by removing my son’s name which gave him full access to both and changing to Possession on Death (POD). I was questioned by my banker for my reasoning as required by the bank system; my son now receives Social Security due to his cancer and treatment disabling him; giving him full access and use of TWO Social Security accounts. I feared government intrusion as approved by Trump, Musk and MAGA and possible loss of income for myself and my son. I finally questioned being questioned while the banker was on the phone with bank administration to give them my reasons; my anti-government rant and fear of intervention due to the access to TWO SS accounts due to the fraudulent government actions didn’t end till I quoted a Facebook post, “Trump is the worst president since Trump” which got a huge laugh from the banker and my son. I have no idea what the banker told bank administration or what they heard of my loud anti-government rant over the open phone line and I am waiting to receive the documents to learn if my requested change regarding my personal checking and savings accounts was approved. I live in fear from month to month waiting to know if my Social Security check was deposited and the Indiana Republican Legislature battle over my Public Employee Retirement Fund, which began in 2017 during Trump and Pence’s first term in the presidency, rages on. The return of the questionable annual 13th Check bonus finally approved for this year but has been lowered.
“They are MAGA–and their version of a “great” America is terrifying.”
The Trump attempted takeover of the Federal Reserve seems to have gotten pushed to the background by Epstein files and RFK, Jr.’s insane battle to destroy our entire health care system. Because I no longer watch for hours the continuing destruction of democracy, Rule of Law and loss of protection by the Constitution, my periodic checking on status shows the increasing decline of our human and civil rights and gradual acceptance by sitting officials and the public of the status quo as being normal is increasing. Trump and his MAGA are currently removing our documented history from many sources to uphold and give power to their anti-DEI control over our current lives and delving into our pasts to change it to fit their Fascist, neo-Nazi increasing dictatorship.
After living around the Midwest and Southeast, I’d say the MAGA mentality has been around my whole lifetime. What about the bigotry toward the Middle Easterners? I can remember the slurs back forty years ago. It’s why way too many white people support Zionism.
Has anyone seen the video of Arkansas farmers praying in a gymnasium for help from Trump, as they are on the verge of bankruptcy after this season? Their expenses have increased, while the prices they receive for crops have decreased. Both are negative consequences of Trump’s tariffs, but neither of them expressed that outwardly. The news media covering it didn’t point out that their vote for Trump hasn’t paid off exactly how they imagined.
If you’re ignorant and nobody points it out because everyone around you is clueless, you’ll both remain ignorant. There is no solution to break free.
The Speaker of the House just announced in public yesterday that “Trump was actually an FBI informant who helped crush the Epstein/Maxwell sex trafficking ring.” What?
“He sacrificed himself while groping young girls for the good of the country.”
What utter bullshit! Mike just lost all the credibility he had left, and it wasn’t much. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Stansbury says the Epstein Coverup “goes all the way to the top and includes foreign actors, and she’s getting to the bottom of it.”
And speaking of Nick Fuentes, he wasn’t buying the Speaker’s bullshit story on X. I guess I need to hang out more on X, but I cannot stand what happened to it after Musk bought it. By the way, Tesla’s Board has agreed to a $1 trillion pay package for Elon over ten years. The only way Tesla makes it is if China is kept out of the United States. China’s EVs dominate the global market, except in the US.
Also, thanks to Elon Musk, Nick has been catapulted to fame because of his racism and anti-Semitism. Elon controls the algorithm for X, so he can lend him credibility or keep his audience irrelevant.
Finally, if you’re interested, Peter Thiel is doing a four-part series on the Anti-Christ. The billionaire who owns JD Vance has extended private invitations to his lecture on the Anti-Christ, but maybe you can sneak in. Did you know that the Ivy League-educated Vance, who once rode the rails in Western Ohio, has changed his name around five times since high school? Oh, is that a story?
https://time.com/7002807/jd-vance-bootstrapped-myth/
So, to answer Sheila’s question, our country’s image of exceptionalism is all mirrors and make-believe, just like Vance. Obama’s speeches about our grandeur were bullshit. The discrepancy between the oligarchs and the masses has probably never been this grotesque, but I’m struggling to decide who’s worse.
p.s. Did you see Pete Hegseth’s speech about rebranding the DoD as the Department of War? I couldn’t even listen to a clip of that idiot speaking next to Trump, but I agree with many journalists who say it’s at least an honest representation of what we do at the Pentagon – make war.
As depressing and upsetting as it makes me, I suppose that it is better that the bigots and crazy racists are at last out and proud. Now, at least we can see them for what they are, avoid them, call them out, or whatever. Of course, the down side of this is that these wretches feed off of each other’s hate. That there are so many of them is our new reality and the biggest challenge to those of us who strive to live lives of decency and goodness.
Trump and Trumpism has given permission to the 30% of our everlasting bigots. As Todd points out, these idiots have been with us all along. Now they have permission – just as Hitler gave permission to his bigots – to voice and act out their hate and unbelievable ignorance.
Yeah. Those Arkansas farmers praying … sure. Their “prayers” will deliver them to starvation and abject poverty, you know, just like a shithole nation.
I would say everyone forgot George Wallace. Or the Posse Comitatus?
Mr. Smekens mentions the media did not press back on the Arkansas farmers. I have seen elsewhere how Trump is not pressed about his mental acuity in the same way Biden was. When has anyone called the American people to task for their choices? I am wondering if the media and our politicians have been a bit too genteel in facing up to the ugliness of our country. The whole “woke” controversy is a way of coddling the citizenry from themselves.
I do not know if it is the real solution, or even a solution, but if instead of patting voters on the head, we instead start telling them you got what you wanted and now you want to complain? Make those who resent take responsibility for their actions.
Todd, I recently read that most Trump supporters are almost completely ignorant of what Trump is actually doing. Being glued to right wing media will produce no enlightenment. So the praying farmers makes sense in light of purposeful ignorance.
Dan, your response to Todd’s comment is spot-on.
I’m sorry, but praying people will not be apt to blame Trump, that’s not the name of the god of the volcano.
My MAGA cousin still thinks I’m living in an “alternate world.” Amazing!
JoAnn, I’m sorry about your predicament.
Vernon, your mention of “shithole” nation brings up the idea that the GOP/MAG’S
penchant for projection has become a time traveler, as Dear Leader continues his shitting on this nation.
The rest of the world clearly sees Trump’s plot as well as his declining abilities.
The plot in his mind is great riches for himself and others like him. The reality is the collapse of capitalism that prominent economists have predicted for years.
The plot in his mind is the defeat of “wokism”. The reality is the tearing of the fabric that holds nations together.
The plot of the Red Party is the ultimate defeat of liberal democracy. The reality is the rebirth of a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Like all birthing, this one will be attended by significant pain and sorrow. Our Civil War 2.0.
We will be the failure that has followed Trump throughout his entire life, like his shadow.
I believe the most important mindset is to live in the question reflecting our earnest desire to live in a country that lives up its original covenant when answers for now have become uncertain. Do not settle for less. Give support to emerging heros giving solid leadership to restore civil discussion that honors the original covenant. The king in the old country believed rebels in the new country to be incredibly naive. I am confident to be in this day … naive.
Several posters have touched on the media and our naivety. We assume that the media and our “representatives” are telling us the truth about how things operate in this world. For example, nobody in the US cares about world events because the media doesn’t talk about them except for “China and Russia are bad.”
The oligarchy-owned media is responsible to our leaders, not the people. The politicians and the media are essentially two departments that serve the oligarchy, which comprises many other parts.
I just took a break from an interview with Whitney Webb, who has investigated Epstein and many other corrupt institutions and actors. They are all connected with the intelligence and mafia. The CIA is NOT what we have been told it is.
If you notice, the media is now focusing on Epstein’s sex trafficking of up to 1,000 girls, maybe more. The victims are coming forward, but not all of them. The media isn’t asking the questions I keep asking: who allowed Epstein/Maxwell, and others, to perpetuate this elaborate pedophile scheme for decades?
This one case is a Pandora’s Box. I’m eager to see how Warren and Stansbury proceed with this cover-up. And now, MTG is on board because she thinks Trump is lying to the world. Don’t get lost in the fast-paced news cycle because those calling the shots do NOT want the people to see the files – there is so much more than men having sex with girls.
If you want your mind boggled – https://unlimitedhangout.com/2025/09/press/the-peter-mccormack-show/
Whitney is knowledgeable and has done a lot of research. You might have to stop and replay the just-watched segment of the interview. 😉
I think Maga is composed of haters, whiners, and the abysmally ignorant. Perhaps we can make inroads into the ignorant community.