72 Comments
User's avatar
Patrick P's avatar

Finding a cure for the Trump virus is close to being realized. There is hope on the horizon.

Dee's avatar
Mar 11Edited

I have relatives still in MAGA. I do want to understand. Primarily because I love them and want to help them. In some cases it is ripping their families apart. Children saying their parent is not a parent and choosing not to speak to their parent. Please post the support group information.

Ronin Core's avatar

I have some MAGA in my immediate family. Ugh! We have everything in common except that. We try hard not to talk about it so we can get along and live our lives. One out of 3 of them has been cured due to Trump's constant transgressions. Another is starting to sour against Trump since he has started wars with other countries. I believe there is a cure for MAGAism but unfortunately it takes a long time.

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

Yep~! Take a look at his website I think he has a guide for people with family members in MAGA

Jeff the Original's avatar

I think the one through line is that people have to come to the conclusion themselves. How long that takes is a factor of many things. I think the other throughline is that they have to eventually come to question the propaganda they're ingesting. That was the first step for me. I started wondering why the talk shows I listened to never had any actual debates. It was time spent beating their chests while berating the Dems. That was pretty much it other than the topic changed about what they were doing that on.

Diana Talbott's avatar

Like any addict they have to make the conscious decision to quit. No one can do it for them.

Laura Howells's avatar

Same here. I really don't know how they are feeling, because seriously we NEVER talk about it, but I have noticed a few likes on some of my reposts. So there's hope!!!

Melanie's avatar

This is so helpful for understanding. Thank you.

Debbie's avatar

So fascinating that you have a family but have the need to have “family” or an “identity “ to cleave to. I have felt that might be a reason why a lot of “lost” people . But then I have followed trump since around 1980. But as I saw and learned more and more about him I saw what a liar, crook and pathetic individual he is. So I knew long before he ran for president what a horrible man his.

TLO's avatar

We all need community, and our families aren't always the only one we need. But I understand your questioning putting that cult like behavior above that of your family.

The big identifier for me is are you a tolerant and kind person? The exclusion of "OTHER" is what is harming this country.

Debbie's avatar

Very good answer. guess my tribes are very diverse. Lucky because not fights but some really good discussions 💕

TLO's avatar

That’s my circle and family both. I’m very fortunate. But I do need to garner some tolerance for MAGA. It’s a challenge.

Tina's avatar

Debbie, same here. He's been on my radar since he cheated on Ivana and she divorced him. He's such a disgusting specimen of human.

Diana Talbott's avatar

The thing that shocked me the first time (there have been hundreds more since then) was when he stated "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters". What??!

Debbie's avatar

Why do you think the Republicans in The House Of Representatives and Senate are so willing to let American democracy fall?

Jeff the Original's avatar

Lack of moral courage weighed against how costly against Trump, MAGA and the GOP would be. Well...and throw in there that they're a little drunk on power from simply being in office to riding on the coattails of a populist president and movement.

Debbie's avatar

I watch their votes, listen to what they say (frequently flippy floppy). I have voted republican, democrat and even once 3rd party (my bad yes). have watched while they allow the “supreme leader” break laws, obstruct justice, bomb places without proof, have not reined in the “supreme leader” from a war which is now termed “a little excursion”🙄

Tina's avatar

Adam has given some reasons for this, one being that they don't want to burn bridges so they can come back to lobby. It's a disgusting reason, money, and they're willing to sell their soul. I find it so hard to believe that their oath to uphold the Constitution means nothing to them.

Dee's avatar

Another reason we need to embrace people leaving MAGA and understand why they joined is to rectify some of it. There is a large number of people who joined because they felt disenfranchised AND often with good reason. So Democrats and Independents should not be arrogant. Let’s make our world a better place to live. I never was in MAGA, but I believe what God and Jesus told us to do…. Love Thy Neighbor

Marty M's avatar

Love you, Adam (but not in a weird way). Wish you were President.

Mari Wilson's avatar

Lol! Me, too, Marty!

Ronin Core's avatar

One of the 1st signs of someone starting to turn away from MAGAism is when they start listening to news outlets other than Fox Fake News.

Jason Merchey's avatar

On the positive side, he had his limits and finally left.

Boy am I thankful I didn't buy into Trump's bullshit for one single minute.

TLO's avatar

Mr Logis, you're an inspiration. The type of conversation and communication you're discussing should be what is going on all of the time, everywhere.

The general divisiveness was beginning before MAGA. As a country we need to address this, be able to identify as united Americans (not the MAGA adjacent kind). To remember tolerance and compassion for others.

Thank you for the valuable service you provide.

Giddle's avatar

Excellent discussion, thank you both!

JoEllen Wynne's avatar

You believed that a man who sexually abused women and publicly said he could grab them by the pussy whenever he wanted because he was wealthy, was the way to save democracy? A man who publicly belittled handicapped individuals and parents of deceased servicemen was the way to save democracy? Sorry is no really enough. Character matters. Much more than policy.

Tina's avatar

This is the stuff that boggles my mind. Good people, truly good people, embracing this crap and giving him a pass. I know two extremely religious people who are full on trumper's, and I just ask WHY, HOW? I asked one of them, and she said "He made some bad decisions, but he deserves our support". UGH

JoEllen Wynne's avatar

I can’t wrap my head around it. 10 years ago I tried to reason with people. Now I just cut off all contact. That includes family. I can’t have a relationship with people who support that.

kenberryinseattle@gmail.com's avatar

Linking to Rich Logis’s website, leavingmaga, I hope is continually being widely broadcast.

Valerie Herzog's avatar

Appreciate you sharing this story.

Very helpful in understanding the MAGA cult. Glad to know there are support groups for those leaving the movement.

HelenD's avatar

I applaud Mr. Logis for what I’m certain must have been a tough decision. Respect !!

Sylvia Elsner's avatar

Thank you so much for presenting this. I have a lot of really good friends who see the world in a polar opposite way that I do. There are times when I do, to myself, become frustrated with them because I just can't understand how they are able to view the world so differently from me. But the We vs Them division is so negative and dangerous that I do try to remember how important unconditional love is. It's important that I experience unconditional love for myself too and give myself grace when I fail to leave the judging of others behind.

All that Rich shared helped remind me how important it is to be accepting of others and never ever say or act like, "I told you so." That kind of egotism has always bothered me. Helping each other is so elevating for both people and brings a bond that is so powerful--and just might save our democracy. And then by working together, more and more of us have the opportunity to be truly united in lifting up each other. Thank you.

RNoel's avatar

Thank you both for this interview. The poison of right wing media endangers so many with its lies. When Rich spoke about changing media sources freed him from MAGA's grip on him...I was again reminded that so many in our society never studied media research and do not understand how politics and money have changed the news we get... outside of independent sources like Adam's on Substack.