Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania this week was supposed to focus on affordability, touting “lower prices” and “bigger paychecks.”
But instead of addressing the economic stress Americans are feeling, he went off script into dehumanizing attacks.
It was the return of “shithole countries” language. Calling Somali Americans “garbage.” Saying Somalia “stinks” and is “filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime.”
Calling Rep. Ilhan Omar’s hijab a “little turban” and encouraging the crowd to chant “send her back.” Attacks on trans people. A disgusting litany of other slurs.
Even some Trump loyalists are worried.
One described him as an “imperfect messenger” whose rallies raise questions about whether they help or hurt Republicans.
But this goes deeper than political messaging. This rhetoric is hitting Trump’s own supporters.
Salman Fiqy stood front row at a Trump rally in Minnesota. He helped organize Somali American voters for Trump. Now he feels betrayed. “It was very dehumanizing,” he told CNN. “This is not acceptable by any means.”
He’s not alone. Business owners who voted for Trump are speaking out against attacks on their own communities. I know what that betrayal feels like.
This is the pattern: dehumanize Americans, demand loyalty to cruelty, insult people’s intelligence.
The people Trump calls “garbage” from “shithole countries” are our neighbors. They’re Americans — as American as anyone else.
People are tired of being asked to see them as less. Tired of defending the indefensible. Tired of the constant lies.
And when that exhaustion breaks through, people need somewhere safe to land.
HELP OTHERS READY TO LEAVE MAGA
That’s why Leaving MAGA exists. We provide safe spaces for people with no judgment, just understanding.
We support people beginning to have doubts about Trump, quietly walking away from MAGA, or already rebuilding their lives.
We also serve loved ones navigating relationships with family still in the movement through our free weekly support groups.
When the cruelty becomes impossible to ignore, when the lies become too many, when defending it all becomes exhausting…
That’s our moment. That’s when people need to know they’re not alone.
Help us be there when they’re ready to leave.
Thanks for being with us in this odyssey,
Rich
P.S. Our support groups meet every Tuesday at 7pm ET. (Keep an eye on your inbox, we email the link every Tuesday.)
You can read my story in our free eBook, and if you’re looking to talk to someone in your life who’s still stuck, check out our free Friends & Family Guide.
