"You can’t run a hate factory forever; eventually even the workers quit."
That formulation sounds good, but it has no data behind it. But it's not the workers we should be concerned about, it's the supporters who swept Trump back into office *after* already knowing who and what he was. Being wholly ignorant about psychology, I will not delve into it. But I will observe that MAGA voters still respond with "yes, sir, may I have another", while:
1. Watching prices continue to rise.
2. Losing their jobs, farms and businesses to tariffs.
3. Watching their children die to flood and preventable disease.
4. Effectively losing their health insurance.
5. Watching the government gear back up to send their sons into yet another foreign meat grinder for a trip home in a body bag.
And that's all I can think of at the moment. MAGA voters care not at all about America's 'standing' in the world. They don't know or care what soft power is. They don't care that our allies and enemies alike are laughing at what a bunch of ignorant rubes we are.
For them, none of that matters, as long as they get the payoff they voted for. The brutalization of brown people and the wailing of helpless liberals is everything they want. It's all they want. They will not be persuaded by 'good governance'. They can, however, be silenced with force. *That* they understand.
George — thanks for taking the time to write this out.
But you’re arguing against a bunch of things this particular piece isn’t trying to do. This article is about one slice of the broader problem: the Republican grievance/hate machine losing steam as a sustaining strategy, not a comprehensive explainer on tariffs, climate disasters, health insurance, war, or the full psychology of the MAGA base.
And with long-form writing, that focus matters. If you jumble ten big topics into one essay, you don’t get “more thorough”—you risk confusing readers and blurring your own argument. Plus, for some people, a piece like this might be their entry point into political commentary. The goal is clarity: if a reader likes one article on one specific subject, they’ll seek out more work from you on the other subjects—because they trust you to actually walk them through the logic instead of throwing everything into the same pot.
So yes—“you can’t run a hate factory forever” is a metaphor. But it’s not floating in the clouds. The proof is in the pudding: you can literally watch the fatigue show up in measurable ways—sliding approval, worsening perceptions of affordability, and repeated GOP underperformance in off-year/special elections where voters are sending a very simple message: enough with the chaos and the content-brain politics.
A few concrete points:
• National polling has Trump sitting underwater or in the low 40s approval range as 2025 closes, and multiple surveys show affordability and the economy are dragging perceptions down.
• Democrats have been overperforming in 2025 specials/off-year races, including high-profile state legislative flips that blocked or weakened GOP supermajority ambitions. That’s not “vibes.” That’s votes.
Also: I’ve already written about everything you listed—tariffs, jobs, health care, climate, foreign policy, all of it. I’ve published 100+ pieces this year across Lincoln Square and my Substack. If you want the broader menu, it’s there.
Finally, this isn’t a zero-sum debate where either every MAGA voter “wakes up” or nothing matters. You’re right that a chunk of the coalition is dug in. But politics isn’t about converting the entire cult; it’s about peeling enough people at the margins to win elections and break incentives. And right now, there’s evidence that enough people are tired of the platitudes, the constant escalation, and the empty performance.
One more thing: “they can be silenced with force” is exactly the kind of logic I’m rejecting. I’m not interested in adopting authoritarian methods to respond to authoritarian politics. I’m interested in beating it—electorally, culturally, and institutionally—without becoming what we’re fighting.
I hear you, Professor. I stipulate that your skill and erudition far exceed my own. On the substance, we shall agree to disagree on much of this.
One thing I may have been inadequately clear on: I was not making the case for consideration of any of those Trumpist actions and consequences, since they all speak for themselves. What I was trying to say was that MAGAs are so dug in that they will dead-end on this *even* as all of these things are happening to them. They will, and have, God Bless Trump as they bury a child who died from his malfeasance. They voted him back into office because they didn't get enough hate and mayhem out of their system the first time. They are functionally insane, and sometimes mad dogs can't be saved and have to be put down. That being a metaphor. Of course.
I understand you are arguing against having to take direct, punitive action, and that you believe that we can 'recapture' people (or enough people) through 'good governance'. You are repeating the idea, through implication, that all of this has to do with their lives not going well enough to suit them. You make the case that the hate is its *own* entity, independent of the factors in these voters' lives, but then contradict yourself with the prognosis.
I hope to God you're right and I'm wrong. But I doubt it.
My belief is all of us forgot to blink especially having a convicted criminal for President! Those trips down to MAR LAGO was a plan to undermine this democracy! Mr. McCarthy did himself a disservice! Especially saying one thing about January 6 th. Then doing another! As I watched the medal ceremony on C- Span those families said it all to Senator McConnell and to Speaker McCarthy!The families in fact refused to shake their hands! During the first impeachment trial Senator McConnell thought he could get what he wanted! Then when Trump became President the first time! Three justices were chosen! It was reported that none of these justices belonged to American Bar Association! While this was going on there was a me too movement! During his hearing lawyer Brett Kavanaugh said this is a technical lynching!
Linda — you’re not wrong at all. But when we’re talking about the “we” collective that forgot to blink, I’m not including us — and I’m definitely not including anyone in the Lincoln Project / Lincoln Square universe in that category. 😂
The whole point of what we were doing — writing, commentary, ad work, whatever lane people were in — was winning. The problem is the Democratic donor class and too many party elites let Trump scare them into playing small, playing safe, and eventually playing dead. That kind of panic-induced surrender can’t happen again. Not ever.
Now to your points — because you’re putting your finger on the exact timeline of normalization:
• The “convicted criminal for President” part: yup. The fact that America can even be here tells you how broken the accountability culture got. The “blink” wasn’t just missed — it was trained out of people through repetition and exhaustion.
• The Mar-a-Lago trips: 100%. Those weren’t innocent “unity” visits — they were submission theater. A parade of people trying to get back under the tent by proving they could kneel on command.
• McCarthy’s disservice / Jan. 6 whiplash: he’s a perfect example of political cowardice dressed up as strategy. Saying one thing when the cameras are hot, doing another when the base starts barking. That’s how institutions rot: not with one big explosion, but with a thousand little surrenders.
• The medal ceremony / families refusing handshakes: that moment was brutally telling because it cut through the Washington fog. Families who suffered the consequences were basically saying, “We see you. And we remember.” No spin. No rehab tour.
• McConnell and the first impeachment trial: you’re describing the exact trap. He thought he could “manage” Trump — use him, fence him in, get what he wanted — and then act surprised when the monster he enabled ate the rules and demanded more. That’s the defining Republican leadership story of the era: control fantasies followed by cowardice.
• Three Supreme Court justices: yes. And this is why “elections have consequences” isn’t a slogan — it’s a warning label. The Court is one of the most durable consequences of that first term, and we’re all living inside it.
• ABA point: quick nuance here — nominees don’t have to “belong” to the ABA. The ABA gives evaluations/ratings; it’s not a membership requirement. But your larger point still lands: the whole vetting and norms process got treated like an obstacle course Republicans felt entitled to bulldoze through.
• Me Too context + Kavanaugh’s “technical lynching” line: that was one of the most revealing grievance-politics moments I’ve ever seen — weaponizing the language of racial terror to protect elite entitlement, while pretending accountability is persecution. It wasn’t just gross; it was strategic. It told the base, “I’m the victim,” and dared everyone else to object.
So yeah: you’re right. People stopped blinking because the chaos became constant. The lesson for me — and I think you’re saying it too — is that we can’t let outrage fatigue turn into normalization ever again. We don’t need perfect unanimity, but we do need spine.
As a psychologist, I find myself wondering how long our psyches can withstand this level of assault. I am hoping WE are the stronger ones. Here’s why: I attend to my life with vision and vigor. (We all need to take time to do this.) I also gather information from reliable sources, using this to discern effective political actions I can take. I get tired, but I never give up. Why? Because I’m motivated by a vision of something better, a nation that is compassionate, functional and collectively healthy. I don’t believe the MAGA movement is motivated by anything other than hate. Hate is not sustaining. It will either burn you out or make you profoundly mentally ill.
This is very, very bad. If the docs are 'wondering' all of this, we are well and truly fucked. There has been no evidence shown yet of a limit to any of this.
Martha, thank you for such a powerful and honest comment. You’re naming something a lot of people feel but don’t always know how to articulate: the psychological toll of living under a constant barrage of chaos, cruelty, and performative aggression. And you’re right — none of us are built to withstand this level of assault indefinitely. Even the strongest psyches eventually feel the strain.
I really appreciate the way you framed your own practice: tending to your life with vision and vigor, anchoring yourself in reliable information, and taking time to assess what meaningful political actions you can take. That’s exactly how people keep themselves grounded in a moment like this. And it’s exactly why you don’t burn out — because you’re anchored in purpose, not adrenaline.
Your point about motivation is spot-on. MAGA isn’t powered by a coherent political vision; it’s powered by resentment and hate. And like you said, hate is not sustaining. Movements built on grievance always hit a wall because there’s nowhere to grow. It burns people out, makes them paranoid, and in many cases, profoundly mentally unhealthy. We’re watching that play out in real time.
The fact that you stay engaged despite exhaustion — that you never give up — speaks to the exact difference between the two sides. You’re motivated by a vision of a compassionate, functional, healthy nation. They’re motivated by the opposite. Over the long term, movements driven by hope and clarity outlast movements driven by rage.
Thank you again for this thoughtful reflection. It added something truly meaningful to the conversation.
This commentary is so good, dare we be inspired to hope? Tracing back to Atwater is spot on. There are clearly positive signs breaking out. At the same time, Trump is a cornered beast, and still protected by a squad of unrelenting, demon deviants, which only makes him more of a threat. Currently they are in possession of the awesome powers of government, legal or otherwise. America, through its misguided acts as well as complacency and inattention, has allowed itself to be put in dire peril. If anything does survive, it will never be the same, but the last decade has shown us that a comprehensive rebuild is overdue. Looking more broadly, the entire developed world is on the brink, making the potential for conflict enormous.
Nancee, this is an incredible comment — thank you for taking the time to write something this detailed and honest. You’re absolutely right about Atwater: tracing this all the way back to his blueprint is essential, because the rot we’re dealing with didn’t appear overnight. It was engineered. And like you said, we’re seeing positive signs finally breaking through, but at the same time Trump is a cornered animal now, surrounded by people who are either too malicious or too cowardly to tell him the truth. That combination makes him even more dangerous.
Your point about America putting itself in peril through complacency and inattention is dead on. For years, institutions were treated like they would just hold no matter what. But the last decade showed us that they won’t — not unless the public insists on it. And I agree with you completely: whatever survives all this will not look the same. It shouldn’t look the same. A rebuild is overdue.
And you’re also right that while Trump is more dangerous than ever, he’s still a fake tough guy. That’s all he’s ever been. Democrats need to boss up to him — especially right now — because voters do not want cowardly Democrats tiptoeing around a man who folds like wet cardboard the second someone pushes back. This is the moment where strength matters, not deference.
I also appreciate you zooming out to the global level. The instability isn’t just here — democracy is wobbling everywhere, and it creates perfect conditions for opportunists, strongmen, and chaos agents. People underestimate how fragile stability is until they watch it slip away.
Nancee, I really appreciate your clarity and the way you framed what’s at stake. These are the kinds of conversations people rarely have in public spaces because everyone is so focused on the daily circus. Your comment gets at the deeper truth: we’re not just dealing with a political moment — we’re dealing with a structural reckoning.
Thank you, sincerely, for reading and for leaving such a powerful reflection.”**
Thank you, Kris; this was great! I, too, believe that we, the people, have finally turned the corner on the MAGAts, starting with their Jimmy Kimmel farce to the 2025 Elections earlier this month, and progressing to some favorable court decisions and soon-to-be decisions. I concur that MAGA appears to be burning out, but that we must not be complacent, but keep pummeling them, every chance we get. I'm looking forward to "No Kings 3.0".
Thank you, Gil — really appreciate this. And I agree with you completely: something shifted this month. That Jimmy Kimmel stunt was the first real sign that the MAGA machine is running on fumes, and then the momentum kept rolling with those court decisions and the broader public mood. You can feel that people have finally turned the corner on this movement, and they’re no longer intimidated by its noise or theatrics.
But you’re absolutely right that this is not the time for complacency. Just because MAGA is burning out doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous — cornered movements often lash out the hardest, and they’re still trying to pull every lever they can before reality catches up to them. The way forward is exactly what you said: keep pushing, keep challenging, and take every opportunity to expose the hollowness of what they’re offering.
And thank you for the excitement about ‘No Kings 3.0.’ I’m really looking forward to building that one out. You’re spot on — this moment feels like the culmination of a long fight, but the way we handle the next chapter determines whether the country finally stabilizes or slips back into the chaos we just crawled out of.
Thanks again for such a sharp, encouraging comment.
Another great article from you Professor Ealy. trump and this whole movement remind me of that tired Las Vegas lounge act like when Elvis was all fat. lumbering, and sweaty instead of the slim. energetic person in his early days.
You are right that they will get more aggressive and desperate because everyone knows they are losing the game they are in. We need to be more focused and determined than ever to crush this insanity. It will be hard and it will take time but it WILL be done.
Thornton, I really appreciate this, and you’re right — Trump and the entire MAGA movement really do have that late-Vegas-Elvis energy now. All the bluster is still there, but the sharpness is gone, the stamina is gone, and the act feels tired. They’re lumbering through talking points the same way Elvis was lumbering through those final shows. And just like you said, that desperation is only going to make them more erratic, more hostile, and more dangerous as they feel the ground slipping under them.
You’re also right that this is exactly why we have to stay focused and determined. They’re losing the game, and everyone knows it — which is when movements like this get the most chaotic. It’s going to take time, discipline, and a lot of collective clarity, but yes, it can be done.
And to throw Elvis a little bit of a bone here, the only difference between him and old-man-Trump energy is that at least Elvis, even on his worst day, could still hit a note and remind you why people fell in love with him in the first place. Trump has never had a version of that.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Thornton. I really enjoyed reading it.”**
Maxine, thank you so much — I really appreciate you. Your continued support means a lot, and I’m glad the piece resonated with you the way it did. Hearing that you relished every word genuinely makes the work feel worth it. Thank you again for reading and for always showing up. Take care.
Thank you for this essay, Kristoffer. These are the lines that really resonate for me: "But tired villains are still dangerous. They reach for power the way addicts reach for the bottle." Isn't this the case with all authoritarians? I remember a quote from an interview with Albert Speer, after he had served his 20 years in prison after WWII. He said that if at the end of his life, if Hitler could have pressed a button that would have destroyed the world, he would have done it. And no, I'm not making a Trump/Hitler comparison; but I am describing my worry with such an extreme narcissist as Donald Trump. Who knows how much more damage this authoritarian is capable of when MAGA World finally crumbles for good? Anyway, thanks for writing this piece.
Stephen, thank you — I really appreciate this. And you’re absolutely right: that is the case with every authoritarian I’ve ever studied. I’ve been studying authoritarians, cults, and cult-ish political movements for over twenty years now — going all the way back to my undergrad — and the pattern is always the same. When their power starts slipping, they lunge for it the way an addict lunges for the bottle. The desperation becomes the danger.
That Albert Speer quote you mentioned is a perfect example of the psychology at play. Authoritarian figures don’t grow wiser or more reflective as they age — they grow more paranoid, more erratic, and more willing to burn the world down if it means avoiding loss, humiliation, or accountability. And like you said, this isn’t about making a Trump–Hitler comparison; it’s about naming the temperament. Extreme narcissism paired with grievance-based politics is a volatile mix, especially when a movement begins to collapse around its leader.
Your question — how much more damage is he capable of as MAGA world crumbles? — is exactly the one animating so much of our current anxiety. The danger of a weakening authoritarian isn’t that he gains power; it’s that he tries to destroy as much as possible on the way out.
Thank you again for reading so closely and engaging so thoughtfully. It means a lot.
Cheeto Is Losing The Polls…The Point Of 30% No Return
The most recent Marquestte poll shows Cheeto approach to inflation is a 28% On managing the economy and tariffs he lands at 36% and 37% respectively
This 28% number is a major tell from the electorate Pollsters claim that when a leader loses support below 30% it becomes a point of nonrecovery That is to say when less than 30% opines that the leader is performing poorly all support for the leadership is lost and that opinion cannot be reversed When a leader's approval rating or public trust falls below 30% in polls, it indicates a significant crisis of confidence among the public
This may be very well be the reason is Cheeto is so angry He sees that the false reality he is trying to spin to the American electorate is not believable and that the lies are not working as they once had Nobody believes that inflation is coming down(purchasing power of the dollar is currently 6 pennies), concentration camps are good, that disappearing people off the streets and disrupting communities is great policy, that taxing struggling American companies and consumers is good for the country, and that it’s morally right to protect pedophiles
So why should Cheeto be angry? He is the Herber Hoover of the 21st century but worse He has created this mess, owns it, and it will never recover for this evil, corrupt, depraved, arrogant, deranged transactional sick sick mind
Spot on, Kristoffer. Trans bathrooms, and banned books about slavery can only get the hate patrol riled for so long. Then, bang!, reality leaves you with unaffordable health insurance and an empty food pantry. The wealthy continue to thrive as the poor, working class and middle class suffering intensifies.
I wrote this about earlier about the carnival barker having no clothes. The carnival barker no longer has tigers jumping through flaming hoops, or trapeze artists flying through the air. He now only has the clowns and they are starting to throw rocks at each other instead of water balloons. The kids are crying, the parents are in shock and the horrified crowd begins to run for the exits before the big, ugly tent collapses. trump and maga might have thought they were the greatest show on earth, but the elephants are gone and the seats are emptying. The carnival barker and the few demented and deranged clowns that remain will relocate to FL to try and sell more twitcoins. As the rube pit runs dry they will scream at clouds, since those will be the only things listening to them. It can't happen soon enough...
MPT, thank you so much — seriously. Everything you laid out about the chaos fatigue, the nonstop spectacle, and the way voters are finally starting to see through the political carnival is spot-on. You nailed the psychology of this moment: people are exhausted from being dragged through the same circus every election cycle with nothing material to show for it except stress and shrinking expectations. And you’re right — the party that built this machine can’t control it anymore, and the public is reacting accordingly.
And I have to say: that section you wrote about the carnival barker? That wasn’t just a sharp observation — it read like a full essay. The imagery, the rhythm, the analysis… all of it felt like something you’ve expanded on somewhere. Was that just off the top of your head in this comment, or is it from a longer piece? Because I’d genuinely love to read the whole thing if you’ve written more.
Thank you again for engaging with the article on such a deep level. Comments like yours are the reason I keep writing.
Thank you for the kind reply to my comment, Kristoffer. The carnival barker section was simply a riff on my part. I was just trying to imagine a circus act going very wrong, and trump is no more than a carnival barker surrounded by a group of bad news clowns. Believe me, it could have developed into a short story! lol. I am glad you enjoyed reading it, since it was fin to write it. Let me also say that powerful writing, such as yours, keeps me engaged and commenting!
Peter, thank you — I really appreciate you taking the time to read it. And you’re right: the GOP is running out of room to hide from the consequences of its own choices. The old playbook has collapsed, and the party hasn’t figured out what to do without it.
Thanks again for the support and for engaging with the piece.
Totally agree with everything you are saying Kristoffer! And yes you are so truthful and did all the homework to understand the history of the MAGA. Yes it came from many other places among them was the Tea Party!
PJ, thank you so much — I really appreciate that. And you’re absolutely right: MAGA didn’t just appear out of thin air. The Tea Party, the Birchers, the post–New Deal backlash, the evangelical realignment — all of it fed into the movement we’re living with now. Understanding that history is the only way to make sense of how we got here.
Thank you for reading so closely and for the kind words.
Beth, thank you so much — that’s incredibly kind of you to say. And calling my style reminiscent of Rick Wilson (the guy who gives me the platform!) and John Kennedy Toole genuinely made my day. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it and leave such a thoughtful comment.
Dr. Nancy, thank you so much — that truly means a lot. I put a lot of care into weaving the history, the psychology, and the modern-day chaos together in a way that feels clear and honest, so hearing that it came through means the world to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it and leave such a kind note.
"You can’t run a hate factory forever; eventually even the workers quit."
That formulation sounds good, but it has no data behind it. But it's not the workers we should be concerned about, it's the supporters who swept Trump back into office *after* already knowing who and what he was. Being wholly ignorant about psychology, I will not delve into it. But I will observe that MAGA voters still respond with "yes, sir, may I have another", while:
1. Watching prices continue to rise.
2. Losing their jobs, farms and businesses to tariffs.
3. Watching their children die to flood and preventable disease.
4. Effectively losing their health insurance.
5. Watching the government gear back up to send their sons into yet another foreign meat grinder for a trip home in a body bag.
And that's all I can think of at the moment. MAGA voters care not at all about America's 'standing' in the world. They don't know or care what soft power is. They don't care that our allies and enemies alike are laughing at what a bunch of ignorant rubes we are.
For them, none of that matters, as long as they get the payoff they voted for. The brutalization of brown people and the wailing of helpless liberals is everything they want. It's all they want. They will not be persuaded by 'good governance'. They can, however, be silenced with force. *That* they understand.
George — thanks for taking the time to write this out.
But you’re arguing against a bunch of things this particular piece isn’t trying to do. This article is about one slice of the broader problem: the Republican grievance/hate machine losing steam as a sustaining strategy, not a comprehensive explainer on tariffs, climate disasters, health insurance, war, or the full psychology of the MAGA base.
And with long-form writing, that focus matters. If you jumble ten big topics into one essay, you don’t get “more thorough”—you risk confusing readers and blurring your own argument. Plus, for some people, a piece like this might be their entry point into political commentary. The goal is clarity: if a reader likes one article on one specific subject, they’ll seek out more work from you on the other subjects—because they trust you to actually walk them through the logic instead of throwing everything into the same pot.
So yes—“you can’t run a hate factory forever” is a metaphor. But it’s not floating in the clouds. The proof is in the pudding: you can literally watch the fatigue show up in measurable ways—sliding approval, worsening perceptions of affordability, and repeated GOP underperformance in off-year/special elections where voters are sending a very simple message: enough with the chaos and the content-brain politics.
A few concrete points:
• National polling has Trump sitting underwater or in the low 40s approval range as 2025 closes, and multiple surveys show affordability and the economy are dragging perceptions down.
• Democrats have been overperforming in 2025 specials/off-year races, including high-profile state legislative flips that blocked or weakened GOP supermajority ambitions. That’s not “vibes.” That’s votes.
Also: I’ve already written about everything you listed—tariffs, jobs, health care, climate, foreign policy, all of it. I’ve published 100+ pieces this year across Lincoln Square and my Substack. If you want the broader menu, it’s there.
Finally, this isn’t a zero-sum debate where either every MAGA voter “wakes up” or nothing matters. You’re right that a chunk of the coalition is dug in. But politics isn’t about converting the entire cult; it’s about peeling enough people at the margins to win elections and break incentives. And right now, there’s evidence that enough people are tired of the platitudes, the constant escalation, and the empty performance.
One more thing: “they can be silenced with force” is exactly the kind of logic I’m rejecting. I’m not interested in adopting authoritarian methods to respond to authoritarian politics. I’m interested in beating it—electorally, culturally, and institutionally—without becoming what we’re fighting.
I hear you, Professor. I stipulate that your skill and erudition far exceed my own. On the substance, we shall agree to disagree on much of this.
One thing I may have been inadequately clear on: I was not making the case for consideration of any of those Trumpist actions and consequences, since they all speak for themselves. What I was trying to say was that MAGAs are so dug in that they will dead-end on this *even* as all of these things are happening to them. They will, and have, God Bless Trump as they bury a child who died from his malfeasance. They voted him back into office because they didn't get enough hate and mayhem out of their system the first time. They are functionally insane, and sometimes mad dogs can't be saved and have to be put down. That being a metaphor. Of course.
I understand you are arguing against having to take direct, punitive action, and that you believe that we can 'recapture' people (or enough people) through 'good governance'. You are repeating the idea, through implication, that all of this has to do with their lives not going well enough to suit them. You make the case that the hate is its *own* entity, independent of the factors in these voters' lives, but then contradict yourself with the prognosis.
I hope to God you're right and I'm wrong. But I doubt it.
Happy New Year.
My belief is all of us forgot to blink especially having a convicted criminal for President! Those trips down to MAR LAGO was a plan to undermine this democracy! Mr. McCarthy did himself a disservice! Especially saying one thing about January 6 th. Then doing another! As I watched the medal ceremony on C- Span those families said it all to Senator McConnell and to Speaker McCarthy!The families in fact refused to shake their hands! During the first impeachment trial Senator McConnell thought he could get what he wanted! Then when Trump became President the first time! Three justices were chosen! It was reported that none of these justices belonged to American Bar Association! While this was going on there was a me too movement! During his hearing lawyer Brett Kavanaugh said this is a technical lynching!
Linda — you’re not wrong at all. But when we’re talking about the “we” collective that forgot to blink, I’m not including us — and I’m definitely not including anyone in the Lincoln Project / Lincoln Square universe in that category. 😂
The whole point of what we were doing — writing, commentary, ad work, whatever lane people were in — was winning. The problem is the Democratic donor class and too many party elites let Trump scare them into playing small, playing safe, and eventually playing dead. That kind of panic-induced surrender can’t happen again. Not ever.
Now to your points — because you’re putting your finger on the exact timeline of normalization:
• The “convicted criminal for President” part: yup. The fact that America can even be here tells you how broken the accountability culture got. The “blink” wasn’t just missed — it was trained out of people through repetition and exhaustion.
• The Mar-a-Lago trips: 100%. Those weren’t innocent “unity” visits — they were submission theater. A parade of people trying to get back under the tent by proving they could kneel on command.
• McCarthy’s disservice / Jan. 6 whiplash: he’s a perfect example of political cowardice dressed up as strategy. Saying one thing when the cameras are hot, doing another when the base starts barking. That’s how institutions rot: not with one big explosion, but with a thousand little surrenders.
• The medal ceremony / families refusing handshakes: that moment was brutally telling because it cut through the Washington fog. Families who suffered the consequences were basically saying, “We see you. And we remember.” No spin. No rehab tour.
• McConnell and the first impeachment trial: you’re describing the exact trap. He thought he could “manage” Trump — use him, fence him in, get what he wanted — and then act surprised when the monster he enabled ate the rules and demanded more. That’s the defining Republican leadership story of the era: control fantasies followed by cowardice.
• Three Supreme Court justices: yes. And this is why “elections have consequences” isn’t a slogan — it’s a warning label. The Court is one of the most durable consequences of that first term, and we’re all living inside it.
• ABA point: quick nuance here — nominees don’t have to “belong” to the ABA. The ABA gives evaluations/ratings; it’s not a membership requirement. But your larger point still lands: the whole vetting and norms process got treated like an obstacle course Republicans felt entitled to bulldoze through.
• Me Too context + Kavanaugh’s “technical lynching” line: that was one of the most revealing grievance-politics moments I’ve ever seen — weaponizing the language of racial terror to protect elite entitlement, while pretending accountability is persecution. It wasn’t just gross; it was strategic. It told the base, “I’m the victim,” and dared everyone else to object.
So yeah: you’re right. People stopped blinking because the chaos became constant. The lesson for me — and I think you’re saying it too — is that we can’t let outrage fatigue turn into normalization ever again. We don’t need perfect unanimity, but we do need spine.
You have a misspelling in the title. There is a "Bl" where it should be "Th".
As a psychologist, I find myself wondering how long our psyches can withstand this level of assault. I am hoping WE are the stronger ones. Here’s why: I attend to my life with vision and vigor. (We all need to take time to do this.) I also gather information from reliable sources, using this to discern effective political actions I can take. I get tired, but I never give up. Why? Because I’m motivated by a vision of something better, a nation that is compassionate, functional and collectively healthy. I don’t believe the MAGA movement is motivated by anything other than hate. Hate is not sustaining. It will either burn you out or make you profoundly mentally ill.
This is very, very bad. If the docs are 'wondering' all of this, we are well and truly fucked. There has been no evidence shown yet of a limit to any of this.
Martha, thank you for such a powerful and honest comment. You’re naming something a lot of people feel but don’t always know how to articulate: the psychological toll of living under a constant barrage of chaos, cruelty, and performative aggression. And you’re right — none of us are built to withstand this level of assault indefinitely. Even the strongest psyches eventually feel the strain.
I really appreciate the way you framed your own practice: tending to your life with vision and vigor, anchoring yourself in reliable information, and taking time to assess what meaningful political actions you can take. That’s exactly how people keep themselves grounded in a moment like this. And it’s exactly why you don’t burn out — because you’re anchored in purpose, not adrenaline.
Your point about motivation is spot-on. MAGA isn’t powered by a coherent political vision; it’s powered by resentment and hate. And like you said, hate is not sustaining. Movements built on grievance always hit a wall because there’s nowhere to grow. It burns people out, makes them paranoid, and in many cases, profoundly mentally unhealthy. We’re watching that play out in real time.
The fact that you stay engaged despite exhaustion — that you never give up — speaks to the exact difference between the two sides. You’re motivated by a vision of a compassionate, functional, healthy nation. They’re motivated by the opposite. Over the long term, movements driven by hope and clarity outlast movements driven by rage.
Thank you again for this thoughtful reflection. It added something truly meaningful to the conversation.
And thank YOU for such a thoughtful reflection. With people like you, I do believe sanity and compassion will ultimately save us.
Thank you for the article! I believe everyone is exhausted! Have a nice evening!
Pleasant Dreams!
This commentary is so good, dare we be inspired to hope? Tracing back to Atwater is spot on. There are clearly positive signs breaking out. At the same time, Trump is a cornered beast, and still protected by a squad of unrelenting, demon deviants, which only makes him more of a threat. Currently they are in possession of the awesome powers of government, legal or otherwise. America, through its misguided acts as well as complacency and inattention, has allowed itself to be put in dire peril. If anything does survive, it will never be the same, but the last decade has shown us that a comprehensive rebuild is overdue. Looking more broadly, the entire developed world is on the brink, making the potential for conflict enormous.
Nancee, this is an incredible comment — thank you for taking the time to write something this detailed and honest. You’re absolutely right about Atwater: tracing this all the way back to his blueprint is essential, because the rot we’re dealing with didn’t appear overnight. It was engineered. And like you said, we’re seeing positive signs finally breaking through, but at the same time Trump is a cornered animal now, surrounded by people who are either too malicious or too cowardly to tell him the truth. That combination makes him even more dangerous.
Your point about America putting itself in peril through complacency and inattention is dead on. For years, institutions were treated like they would just hold no matter what. But the last decade showed us that they won’t — not unless the public insists on it. And I agree with you completely: whatever survives all this will not look the same. It shouldn’t look the same. A rebuild is overdue.
And you’re also right that while Trump is more dangerous than ever, he’s still a fake tough guy. That’s all he’s ever been. Democrats need to boss up to him — especially right now — because voters do not want cowardly Democrats tiptoeing around a man who folds like wet cardboard the second someone pushes back. This is the moment where strength matters, not deference.
I also appreciate you zooming out to the global level. The instability isn’t just here — democracy is wobbling everywhere, and it creates perfect conditions for opportunists, strongmen, and chaos agents. People underestimate how fragile stability is until they watch it slip away.
Nancee, I really appreciate your clarity and the way you framed what’s at stake. These are the kinds of conversations people rarely have in public spaces because everyone is so focused on the daily circus. Your comment gets at the deeper truth: we’re not just dealing with a political moment — we’re dealing with a structural reckoning.
Thank you, sincerely, for reading and for leaving such a powerful reflection.”**
Thank you, Kris; this was great! I, too, believe that we, the people, have finally turned the corner on the MAGAts, starting with their Jimmy Kimmel farce to the 2025 Elections earlier this month, and progressing to some favorable court decisions and soon-to-be decisions. I concur that MAGA appears to be burning out, but that we must not be complacent, but keep pummeling them, every chance we get. I'm looking forward to "No Kings 3.0".
Thank you, Gil — really appreciate this. And I agree with you completely: something shifted this month. That Jimmy Kimmel stunt was the first real sign that the MAGA machine is running on fumes, and then the momentum kept rolling with those court decisions and the broader public mood. You can feel that people have finally turned the corner on this movement, and they’re no longer intimidated by its noise or theatrics.
But you’re absolutely right that this is not the time for complacency. Just because MAGA is burning out doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous — cornered movements often lash out the hardest, and they’re still trying to pull every lever they can before reality catches up to them. The way forward is exactly what you said: keep pushing, keep challenging, and take every opportunity to expose the hollowness of what they’re offering.
And thank you for the excitement about ‘No Kings 3.0.’ I’m really looking forward to building that one out. You’re spot on — this moment feels like the culmination of a long fight, but the way we handle the next chapter determines whether the country finally stabilizes or slips back into the chaos we just crawled out of.
Thanks again for such a sharp, encouraging comment.
Another great article from you Professor Ealy. trump and this whole movement remind me of that tired Las Vegas lounge act like when Elvis was all fat. lumbering, and sweaty instead of the slim. energetic person in his early days.
You are right that they will get more aggressive and desperate because everyone knows they are losing the game they are in. We need to be more focused and determined than ever to crush this insanity. It will be hard and it will take time but it WILL be done.
Thornton, I really appreciate this, and you’re right — Trump and the entire MAGA movement really do have that late-Vegas-Elvis energy now. All the bluster is still there, but the sharpness is gone, the stamina is gone, and the act feels tired. They’re lumbering through talking points the same way Elvis was lumbering through those final shows. And just like you said, that desperation is only going to make them more erratic, more hostile, and more dangerous as they feel the ground slipping under them.
You’re also right that this is exactly why we have to stay focused and determined. They’re losing the game, and everyone knows it — which is when movements like this get the most chaotic. It’s going to take time, discipline, and a lot of collective clarity, but yes, it can be done.
And to throw Elvis a little bit of a bone here, the only difference between him and old-man-Trump energy is that at least Elvis, even on his worst day, could still hit a note and remind you why people fell in love with him in the first place. Trump has never had a version of that.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Thornton. I really enjoyed reading it.”**
This was a great article. I relished every word. Disliking and hating are big downers. All I can say is, Amen, Amen. Thank you. Take care.
Maxine, thank you so much — I really appreciate you. Your continued support means a lot, and I’m glad the piece resonated with you the way it did. Hearing that you relished every word genuinely makes the work feel worth it. Thank you again for reading and for always showing up. Take care.
Thank you for this essay, Kristoffer. These are the lines that really resonate for me: "But tired villains are still dangerous. They reach for power the way addicts reach for the bottle." Isn't this the case with all authoritarians? I remember a quote from an interview with Albert Speer, after he had served his 20 years in prison after WWII. He said that if at the end of his life, if Hitler could have pressed a button that would have destroyed the world, he would have done it. And no, I'm not making a Trump/Hitler comparison; but I am describing my worry with such an extreme narcissist as Donald Trump. Who knows how much more damage this authoritarian is capable of when MAGA World finally crumbles for good? Anyway, thanks for writing this piece.
Stephen, thank you — I really appreciate this. And you’re absolutely right: that is the case with every authoritarian I’ve ever studied. I’ve been studying authoritarians, cults, and cult-ish political movements for over twenty years now — going all the way back to my undergrad — and the pattern is always the same. When their power starts slipping, they lunge for it the way an addict lunges for the bottle. The desperation becomes the danger.
That Albert Speer quote you mentioned is a perfect example of the psychology at play. Authoritarian figures don’t grow wiser or more reflective as they age — they grow more paranoid, more erratic, and more willing to burn the world down if it means avoiding loss, humiliation, or accountability. And like you said, this isn’t about making a Trump–Hitler comparison; it’s about naming the temperament. Extreme narcissism paired with grievance-based politics is a volatile mix, especially when a movement begins to collapse around its leader.
Your question — how much more damage is he capable of as MAGA world crumbles? — is exactly the one animating so much of our current anxiety. The danger of a weakening authoritarian isn’t that he gains power; it’s that he tries to destroy as much as possible on the way out.
Thank you again for reading so closely and engaging so thoughtfully. It means a lot.
Cheeto Is Losing The Polls…The Point Of 30% No Return
The most recent Marquestte poll shows Cheeto approach to inflation is a 28% On managing the economy and tariffs he lands at 36% and 37% respectively
This 28% number is a major tell from the electorate Pollsters claim that when a leader loses support below 30% it becomes a point of nonrecovery That is to say when less than 30% opines that the leader is performing poorly all support for the leadership is lost and that opinion cannot be reversed When a leader's approval rating or public trust falls below 30% in polls, it indicates a significant crisis of confidence among the public
This may be very well be the reason is Cheeto is so angry He sees that the false reality he is trying to spin to the American electorate is not believable and that the lies are not working as they once had Nobody believes that inflation is coming down(purchasing power of the dollar is currently 6 pennies), concentration camps are good, that disappearing people off the streets and disrupting communities is great policy, that taxing struggling American companies and consumers is good for the country, and that it’s morally right to protect pedophiles
So why should Cheeto be angry? He is the Herber Hoover of the 21st century but worse He has created this mess, owns it, and it will never recover for this evil, corrupt, depraved, arrogant, deranged transactional sick sick mind
Spot on, Kristoffer. Trans bathrooms, and banned books about slavery can only get the hate patrol riled for so long. Then, bang!, reality leaves you with unaffordable health insurance and an empty food pantry. The wealthy continue to thrive as the poor, working class and middle class suffering intensifies.
I wrote this about earlier about the carnival barker having no clothes. The carnival barker no longer has tigers jumping through flaming hoops, or trapeze artists flying through the air. He now only has the clowns and they are starting to throw rocks at each other instead of water balloons. The kids are crying, the parents are in shock and the horrified crowd begins to run for the exits before the big, ugly tent collapses. trump and maga might have thought they were the greatest show on earth, but the elephants are gone and the seats are emptying. The carnival barker and the few demented and deranged clowns that remain will relocate to FL to try and sell more twitcoins. As the rube pit runs dry they will scream at clouds, since those will be the only things listening to them. It can't happen soon enough...
MPT, thank you so much — seriously. Everything you laid out about the chaos fatigue, the nonstop spectacle, and the way voters are finally starting to see through the political carnival is spot-on. You nailed the psychology of this moment: people are exhausted from being dragged through the same circus every election cycle with nothing material to show for it except stress and shrinking expectations. And you’re right — the party that built this machine can’t control it anymore, and the public is reacting accordingly.
And I have to say: that section you wrote about the carnival barker? That wasn’t just a sharp observation — it read like a full essay. The imagery, the rhythm, the analysis… all of it felt like something you’ve expanded on somewhere. Was that just off the top of your head in this comment, or is it from a longer piece? Because I’d genuinely love to read the whole thing if you’ve written more.
Thank you again for engaging with the article on such a deep level. Comments like yours are the reason I keep writing.
Thank you for the kind reply to my comment, Kristoffer. The carnival barker section was simply a riff on my part. I was just trying to imagine a circus act going very wrong, and trump is no more than a carnival barker surrounded by a group of bad news clowns. Believe me, it could have developed into a short story! lol. I am glad you enjoyed reading it, since it was fin to write it. Let me also say that powerful writing, such as yours, keeps me engaged and commenting!
Very wise translation of this extremist movement. thx.
May we be wiser to see any of them trying again.
Peter, thank you — I really appreciate you taking the time to read it. And you’re right: the GOP is running out of room to hide from the consequences of its own choices. The old playbook has collapsed, and the party hasn’t figured out what to do without it.
Thanks again for the support and for engaging with the piece.
Totally agree with everything you are saying Kristoffer! And yes you are so truthful and did all the homework to understand the history of the MAGA. Yes it came from many other places among them was the Tea Party!
PJ, thank you so much — I really appreciate that. And you’re absolutely right: MAGA didn’t just appear out of thin air. The Tea Party, the Birchers, the post–New Deal backlash, the evangelical realignment — all of it fed into the movement we’re living with now. Understanding that history is the only way to make sense of how we got here.
Thank you for reading so closely and for the kind words.
You are truly welcome Kristoffer! Keep up the great work, with knowledge we have more power and that means more to me than anything money can buy!
That was written so well. Very much the style of Rick Wilson and John Kennedy Tool! The party that is a confederacy of dunces.
Beth, thank you so much — that’s incredibly kind of you to say. And calling my style reminiscent of Rick Wilson (the guy who gives me the platform!) and John Kennedy Toole genuinely made my day. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it and leave such a thoughtful comment.
Bravo!!! I love the way you weave your facts together!
Dr. Nancy, thank you so much — that truly means a lot. I put a lot of care into weaving the history, the psychology, and the modern-day chaos together in a way that feels clear and honest, so hearing that it came through means the world to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to read it and leave such a kind note.