MAGA, ULTRA MAGA, SUPER MAGA?

Viral Terms May Undermine Trump's Popularity?

One of the most viral trends in the last few days of news regarding the decline of American society is the notion of Ultra Maga. This trending descriptive actually started with comments by Presiden Biden at a presser where he discussed the economy and his efforts to control inflation. 

 What is perhaps, more interesting is the adoption of this term by dedicated MAGA mouthpieces, such as Steve Bannon, Don Junior (hereinafter referred to as Junior), and others in the America First, Trump camp. Bannon was heard to say "This election will be between the MAGA and the Ultra Maga" on his ultra-right-wing podcast today. Thinking about that, I realized he was slicing the Trump supporters even thinner than they have previously been divided?  

We know from polls, as unreliable as they may be, those continuing Trump supporters are about 30% of polled potential voters. If Bannon wants to divide that again, who knows what remains? Could Ultra Maga be 15% or 10%? It's unknowable. But, in fact, I am thrilled that Steve is going there. For obvious reasons, this is potentially good news. As much as Trump enabled the disaffected, racist, xenophobic segment of our population, allowing them full expression in our governing class, this could be the final marginalization of those views. It could be. I am not naive about ridding ourselves of this national tragedy. It may not be so easy to set this disgraceful episode aside. However, since dividing the country based on name calling, prejudice and ignorance worked for Trump and his followers, is it possible that dividing the MAGA's, even more, could represent the final move to the dust bin? 

For context on what the heck I am talking about in this essay, a brief recap is called for here. 

In what I consider to be a promising sign, Democrats are beginning to call out the insanity, distortion, lies, and spin from the far-right i.e. Ultra Maga Republicans, and in particular, those having to run for election this fall. As the leader of the Democratic Party, it is extremely important that Biden does this whenever he can. As such his branding of the Ultra Maga wing is critical. It is more indicative of the turning tide, that this comment from, of all people, Joe Biden, the favorite target of the right, ended up being taken up by the anarchist, Bannon. The most ardent Trumpists are typically good at messaging to their base. This could be a rare mistake. 

How does Junior fit into this? In order to understand Junior one has to recognize that he is actually constantly trying to mimic his father's messaging. That is not to say that he is successful at this endeavor. Often, he is incredibly off base, typically conflating issues or events that have at best, a suspect, relationship with each other? Here is an example of the abject stupidity of just one of Junior's claims. 

"Never let a good crisis go to waste. Baby Formula Shortage… “This is why we need late-term and post-term abortion” Democrats Probably."

Although Junior has not expressed his thoughts about Ultra Maga vs. plain old MAGA on his Twitter account yet, he has done so at various primary rallies in PA and OH. I have little doubt he will further expose his cluelessness on Twitter and where ever else on social media, he opines, in the coming days. 

My final thoughts on Ultra Maga vs plain old Maga? Let us hope this concept and bright line between the true believers and the also-rans, sticks? 

Is that foolish, silly, or wishful? Stranger things have proven to be true!