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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
Ginger, thank you so much — that really means a lot. I try to balance the humor with the horror because that’s honestly the only way to capture what we’re living through. If the thin sharp knives are doing the job, then I’m doing mine. I really appreciate you reading and taking the time to say this.
Thanks for these outstanding discussions. Thanks particularly to Stuart Stevens for writing about Finland. A Finn should be the next head of NATO. Finns know the Russians well and they are tough people. Trump would give Ukraine away for a hotel deal.
Great article professor! I hope and pray that MAGA hate is tired and we can stay strong enough to keep the fight going and get the clowns out of power. Thank you.
Bruce, thank you — I really appreciate that. And honestly, I do think MAGA is finally burning itself out. The energy just isn’t what it was eight years ago, and voters are starting to see through the performance.
The hard part is that people might have to suffer first — especially some of the folks who voted for him the first time around. That’s the tragedy of this moment. But the November results showed that the country’s patience for chaos and cruelty is running thin. If we can stay focused, informed, and engaged, we really can keep these clowns out of power.
Thank you again for reading and for the encouragement.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
Damn you're good.... love the humorous descriptive words mixed in with their dreadful acts....those thin sharp knives do the job
Ginger, thank you so much — that really means a lot. I try to balance the humor with the horror because that’s honestly the only way to capture what we’re living through. If the thin sharp knives are doing the job, then I’m doing mine. I really appreciate you reading and taking the time to say this.
Thanks for these outstanding discussions. Thanks particularly to Stuart Stevens for writing about Finland. A Finn should be the next head of NATO. Finns know the Russians well and they are tough people. Trump would give Ukraine away for a hotel deal.
👍Spot on!
Thank you, Leigh!
Great article professor! I hope and pray that MAGA hate is tired and we can stay strong enough to keep the fight going and get the clowns out of power. Thank you.
Bruce, thank you — I really appreciate that. And honestly, I do think MAGA is finally burning itself out. The energy just isn’t what it was eight years ago, and voters are starting to see through the performance.
The hard part is that people might have to suffer first — especially some of the folks who voted for him the first time around. That’s the tragedy of this moment. But the November results showed that the country’s patience for chaos and cruelty is running thin. If we can stay focused, informed, and engaged, we really can keep these clowns out of power.
Thank you again for reading and for the encouragement.
Excellent article!!
Thanks, Carol!