The MAGA Reckoning Arrives
Trump has lost most of the country. Now, his hold on his own base is weakening.
In the early days of Donald Trump's first term, the phrase "Where there's no bottom, there's no bottom" echoed in many conversations. The sentiment reflected the belief that things could only get worse for Trump and his party, which was increasingly intertwined with him. The evidence of "no bottom" grew with each passing day, as outrageous behavior became commonplace.
Recently, the latest example came in the form of an ad from Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate running for Ohio governor. The ad featured the estranged mother of his opponent, Amy Acton, calling her a liar and urging Ohioans not to vote for her. The ad aimed to spend $4 million on television and online, and despite some objections, even prominent Republicans such as President Trump and Vice President Vance defended it.
The ad represents the "no bottom" mentality of the Trump-era GOP, characterized by cruelty and coarseness that have ominous limits but also potential consequences. While revulsion may initially arise, it can also awaken conscience and lead to a reckoning. The reckoning for the anti-MAGA movement may finally be beginning, although it has come much later than it should have.
Trump's hold on the country is weakening, and the backlash is starting to affect even his base. The ad against Acton appears to be backfiring, with a recent poll showing that it is more likely to make people vote for her. Nevertheless, the reckoning must extend beyond Ohio, as voters across America must rebuke the politics of savagery.
The Republican Party is led by a man found liable for sexually abusing a woman and then defaming her, while the president has rallied around an ad featuring a mother who sided with the rapist instead of standing by her daughter. Trump's corruption and cruelty surpass anything seen before in American politics, leading to a questioning of the fundamental decency of America.
The election and the potential reelection of Trump have shaken the faith of many Americans, including the author, who had previously questioned the integrity of their coreligionists.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
