The MAGA Movement Is Splintering Without Charlie Kirk
A year of feuds among MAGA figures shows how much the movement depended on Kirk personally.
The murder of Charlie Kirk in September last year had many in the right-wing community mourning the loss of a speech champion and founder of a lasting political movement. However, critics on the left stressed his long history of controversial comments and dismissed him as a mere troll. Since Kirk's demise, the MAGA movement has experienced turmoil, with factions bickering and Republicans facing a possible defeat in the midterms.
President Trump appears disconnected from his base and reality, while factions within the movement continue to blame each other for Kirk's death. Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson, two influential right-wing figures, have clashed over how to honor Kirk's legacy, with each attempting to claim his endorsement. This divide has intensified as Trump has become more isolated and withdrawn, pursuing an unpopular war in Iran that contradicts his campaign promises.
Young voters, who were once heavily supportive of Trump, now disapprove of him by wide margins, particularly young men. Despite the movement's growth, especially on college campuses, the loyalty to Trump is not consistent. Turning Point USA, Kirk's organization, has expanded since his death, but the support is not uniformly behind Trump.
As the organization and the movement mature, the conflicts that once remained concealed have now come to the forefront, with Kirk's absence leaving a void that the remaining factions must navigate.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
