Rich Logis was once one of Trump’s most ardent defenders. “MAGA became all-consuming,” he said. But after years of being deeply involved, Logis broke away — and now he’s on a mission to help others do the same.
On Sunday, the former Republican and founder of the nonprofit Leaving MAGA outlined five “critical guideposts” for reaching Trump supporters who are beginning to feel uneasy about the man they once supported.
“It’s seemingly a daily occurrence to see testimonials from people who voted for Donald Trump but are now ready to renounce” the MAGA movement, Logis wrote in Salon. “This buyer’s remorse is just beginning, and we need to provide an off-ramp for the increasingly uncertain.”
He speaks from experience: leaving MAGA is difficult. Many Trump voters won’t reconsider their views until the consequences hit close to home — such as losing jobs to tariffs, watching loved ones face deportation, or witnessing the erosion of constitutional norms.
“Many people only care about something when it affects them personally,” Logis said.
But if you’re trying to help someone leave the MAGA mindset, don’t lead with anger or judgment. “That may afford instant gratification,” he said of saying “I told you so,” but it “only strengthens an obsequious subservience to Trump.”
And while it might feel accurate, labeling MAGA a cult doesn’t help either. “MAGA people will shut down,” Logis warned.
So why do people remain in MAGA, even when it works against them? Logis identified three main reasons:
- “Misinformation and disinformation”
- A tendency to assume the worst about political opponents
- A “profound misunderstanding of capitalism and free markets,” which drives resentment and financial frustration
“I understand that you may feel the MAGA supporter in your life is racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or downright unpatriotic,” Logis wrote. “Please consider that saying those things will absolutely not convince them to leave MAGA.
“The way to begin creating doubt — the necessary precursor to self-empowerment, and ultimately, to leaving MAGA — is through empathy and education.”
Logis got out on his own. Now he’s trying to light the way for others.