The People Who Bet Big on MAGA’s Future—And Lost
Some institutions jumped onto the bandwagon after the 2024 election, but it hasn’t taken long for those decisions to look shortsighted.
Political figures who bet heavily on Donald Trump's future now face the consequences of his shifting fortunes. Some, like David Ellison, sought to capitalize on the MAGA movement by building a media empire, only to find their efforts faltering. Ellison's attempt to merge with Warner Bros. was derailed by an antitrust lawsuit, and his media ventures have seen declining viewership and staff turnover.
Other right-wing influencers have also seen their audiences dwindle, suggesting that courting Trump's supporters is not a reliable path to success. Meanwhile, corporate leaders who aligned themselves with Trump have seen their reputations tarnished as well. Elon Musk's relationship with the president has been tumultuous, and his company, X, has lost users, while Tesla sales have suffered.
The once-preferred strategy of embracing progressive causes in order to appear woke has backfired, with Republicans now turning against those who once seemed to represent their interests. As the 2024 election cycle concludes, the bold moves made by some in pursuit of Trump's vision have ultimately proved ephemeral, leaving many scrambling to adapt to a political landscape that has proved more volatile than anticipated.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
