Leaving MAGA

Have you noticed a shift? Fewer Trump signs in people’s yards, fewer houses with Trump flags, people who were very outspoken on social media now going quiet? You’re not alone. Many are commenting on seeing less MAGA support than this time last year. Even high profile influencers like Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens and Marjorie Taylor Green are denouncing MAGA and Trump. Are people finally opening their eyes?

The group Leaving MAGA is reporting thousands of new visitors to its website recently. They have been placing billboards around the country in places like Texas, Iowa, Washington state, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The billboard guides people to the Leaving MAGA website where they will read stories about everyday Americans who have left the MAGA movement and find resources about how to help your loved ones if they are starting to show some interest in getting out of the movement There’s even a support group for people who leave MAGA.

If you’re starting to see a change in someone in your world, therapists say to go easy on them and provide them with a soft place to land.

Leaving a political movement like MAGA isn’t just about changing your mind—it can feel like stepping away from a community, a shared identity, and even close relationships. For many people, it’s an emotional transition, not just an intellectual one.

Therapists often compare this kind of shift to a form of grief. People may feel the loss of belonging, certainty, or connection with people who once felt like “your group.” At the same time, there can be a sense of relief or clarity about what you’re moving toward. Both can exist together.

One of the most important steps is separating who you are from what you believed. Political identity can become deeply intertwined with personal identity, so it’s natural to ask, “If not this, then who am I?” The answer doesn’t have to come all at once. Reconnecting with values, interests, and sense of self—outside of any group—is a gradual process.

Relationships can also become complicated. Friends or family who remain deeply committed may respond with confusion, frustration, or even distance. Tell your family or friends to be intentional about where they engage, where they set boundaries, and where it may be healthier to step back. Not every conversation needs to be a debate.

Another challenge is adjusting information habits. This is a big one! If their news and media sources were once very one-sided, shifting too quickly can feel overwhelming. Expanding their perspective gradually allows them to stay grounded while building a more balanced understanding of the world.

It’s also worth being mindful of the urge to immediately replace one strong identity with another. Growth often comes from staying curious, asking questions, and allowing space for nuance rather than jumping into a new all-or-nothing framework.

Most importantly, give them time. They don’t need to have all the answers right away. Sitting with uncertainty can be uncomfortable, but it’s often where more thoughtful, lasting perspectives take shape.

As Rich from Leaving MAGA says, “It’s great to have someone go against Trump, but it’s not enough. To truly leave MAGA, one must not only apologize, but must renounce the conspiracies, falsehoods and lies that comprise MAGA politics.”

Leaving MAGA is a process, it takes time, but don’t lose hope. Think about where some people were a year or two ago, and where they are now. If they’re wavering, they don’t want to be judged.  Rich was actually MAGA for seven years before he says he “came to the realization that I was wrong, and I had allowed myself to be lied to and that I had believed those lies.” His best advice for family and friends is to remain open minded and be ready when you see that someone’s perspective may be shifting.