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How to stoke infighting between fascists in Trump’s movement [1]
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Date: 2025-03-13
The MAGA movement, once a seemingly monolithic force united under the banner of Donald Trump, is showing signs of strain. Beneath the surface of red hats and rally chants, ideological and personal fractures are emerging—fractures that leftist and liberal activists can exploit to weaken the movement’s cohesion and diminish its political power. By strategically amplifying existing tensions between key factions and figures within MAGA, progressives can sow discord and disrupt the unity that has made the movement so formidable.
The Elon Musk vs. Steve Bannon Rift
One of the most visible divides within the MAGA ecosystem is the growing tension between tech billionaire Elon Musk and far-right strategist Steve Bannon. Musk, who has positioned himself as a free-speech absolutist and a libertarian-leaning figure, has increasingly aligned himself with the MAGA movement. However, his vision of a techno-futurist America clashes sharply with Bannon’s populist, anti-globalist agenda.
Bannon has long criticized Silicon Valley elites like Musk, accusing them of exploiting working-class Americans and prioritizing profit over national sovereignty. Leftist activists can amplify this divide by highlighting Musk’s wealth and privilege, framing him as a symbol of the very corporate oligarchy Bannon claims to oppose. Meanwhile, liberals can appeal to Musk’s libertarian sensibilities by emphasizing Bannon’s authoritarian tendencies, painting him as a threat to the free-market ideals Musk champions.
By driving a wedge between these two influential figures, activists can create a power struggle that undermines the movement’s ability to present a unified front.
TERFs vs. Male Chauvinists
A less visible but increasingly significant divide within the MAGA movement is the tension between trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs) and male chauvinists. TERFs, who often align with conservative gender ideologies, oppose transgender rights and advocate for a return to traditional gender roles. However, their focus on women’s rights and their criticism of patriarchal structures put them at odds with the male chauvinist wing of MAGA, which seeks to reinforce male dominance and dismiss feminist concerns altogether.
Leftist activists can exploit this divide by amplifying critiques of male chauvinism and toxic masculinity directly to TERFs activists who ally with these chauvinists. By doing so, they can provoke backlash from male chauvinists, who view TERFs as a threat to their vision of a male-dominated society. At the same time, liberals can highlight the regressive nature of both factions, emphasizing the harm caused by their shared opposition to gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
By pitting TERFs against male chauvinists, activists can create a culture war within the MAGA movement, further fracturing its already fragile coalition.
Nationalist Isolationists vs. Neoconservative Interventionists
Another critical fault line within MAGA is the divide between nationalist isolationists and neoconservative interventionists. The nationalist wing, led by figures like Tucker Carlson and Josh Hawley, advocates for a retreat from global entanglements and a focus on domestic issues. In contrast, the neoconservative faction, represented by figures like Lindsey Graham and Nikki Haley, pushes for a robust American presence on the world stage, including military intervention when necessary.
Leftist activists can exploit this divide by focusing on isolationists and confronting them with issues like military spending and foreign wars, emphasizing the human and financial costs of interventionism. At the same time, liberals can push the neoconservatives by warning of the dangers of isolationism, particularly in the face of rising authoritarian powers like China and Russia.
By playing these factions against each other, activists can create a schism that weakens the movement’s ability to formulate a coherent foreign policy agenda.
White Supremacists vs. Zionists
Perhaps the most volatile divide within the MAGA movement is the tension between white supremacists and Zionists. While both groups have found a home within the broader MAGA coalition, their goals and ideologies are fundamentally at odds. White supremacists, who view Jews as a threat to their vision of a white ethnostate, have clashed with Zionist factions that support Israel as a key ally in the Middle East.
Leftist activists can highlight this contradiction by drawing attention to the antisemitic rhetoric and actions of white supremacists within the MAGA movement, forcing Zionist supporters to confront the uncomfortable reality of their alliance. At the same time, liberals can confront Zionist factions by emphasizing the importance of standing against antisemitism, further isolating the white supremacist wing.
By exacerbating this divide, activists can force the MAGA movement to grapple with its internal contradictions, potentially driving a wedge between key constituencies.
A Strategy of Disruption
The key to successfully exploiting these divisions lies in a strategy of disruption. Leftist and liberal activists must carefully identify the fault lines within the MAGA movement and amplify them through targeted messaging, media campaigns, and grassroots organizing. By pitting factions against each other, progressives can weaken the movement’s cohesion and undermine its ability to mobilize effectively.
Of course, this strategy is not without risks. Exploiting divisions within a political movement can sometimes backfire, leading to unintended consequences or further radicalization. However, in a political landscape where the MAGA movement remains a potent force, the potential benefits of sowing discord within its ranks are too significant to ignore.
As the 2024 election cycle fades into memory and the 2026 midterms loom on the horizon, the time is ripe for leftist and liberal activists to seize the initiative. By exploiting the fractures within the MAGA movement, they can weaken its hold on American politics and pave the way for a more progressive future.
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