Blocking MAGA Won’t Solve the Problem

Here’s Why We Must Engage Instead and How We Win

Recently, I’ve noticed a rising trend on platforms like BlueSky: memes and posts proudly proclaiming, “I block MAGA.” It’s easy to understand why. For many of us—especially those who’ve faced racism, bigotry, or outright hostility—it can feel liberating to cut ties with people who perpetuate or excuse those harms. I get it. I’m a first-generation immigrant. I’ve dealt with my share of racism and prejudice. Removing toxic influences from your life can feel like reclaiming your power.

But what if I told you that this seemingly empowering act might actually be empowering the wrong side?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” By blocking MAGA and refusing to engage, we risk becoming complicit in their growth. Silence allows their narratives to go unchallenged, their persecution complex to deepen, and their influence to expand unchecked.

Let me be clear: On an individual level, distancing yourself from a bully is often the right move. No one is obligated to endure personal harm. But what we’re dealing with here isn’t a single bully. It’s a cultural and political movement that thrives when people disengage. Blocking MAGA doesn’t weaken their influence; it strengthens it.

In other words, this approach may defeat the individual bully in your life, but it enables the bullying movement to grow—and eventually, that movement becomes a greater threat to our society, including you. If we truly care about protecting ourselves and the values we hold dear, we must resist the temptation to isolate ourselves and instead lean into engagement, even when it’s difficult.

Right now, you’re probably thinking, “This sucks.” And you’re right—it does. There’s no easy way out of this mess. There’s no path forward that doesn’t involve challenging interactions. I’m not here to sugarcoat it or tell you it’ll be easy. What I can do, however, is help you understand how to engage in a way that I believe will be the most effective in the long run—and maybe even give you a bit of satisfaction in the short term.

MAGA/Trumpism Is a Cult

The first thing you need to accept—and I know you’ve probably joked about this or dismissed it as hyperbole—is that MAGA, or Trumpism, is, at its core, a cult.

Now, before you roll your eyes, hear me out, because this understanding is critical to how you approach these interactions. A cult doesn’t operate the way normal social or political groups do. The rules of engagement are entirely different. That’s why, if you try to argue with a MAGA supporter like you would with a friend or coworker who holds different beliefs unrelated to a cult, you’re going to end up slamming your head against a wall.

You see, cults don’t care about facts. You’re not going to beat MAGA by rattling off statistics or showing them graphs. Believe me, I’ve wasted more hours than I’d like to admit doing just that with MAGA family members. It doesn’t matter how glaringly obvious it is that the facts are on your side—they will not budge.

In fact, the more irrefutable your evidence is, the harder they’ll push back. They’ll dig in, often leaning on conspiracy theories to dismantle your argument. And here’s the thing about conspiracy theories: they’re designed to escape any logical trap. No matter how well you dismantle one claim, there’s always a backdoor. They’ll respond with, “That’s just what they want you to believe,” or, “You’ve fallen for the propaganda.”

Understanding cults

So, what do you do when the facts aren’t enough? How do you even begin to engage with someone operating in a completely different reality? Let’s break that down.

At its core, a cult is about idolizing someone. It’s not about the specifics of what they do, but about who they are in the eyes of their followers. It’s about believing in their benevolence: the idea that everything they do, no matter how unorthodox or harmful it might seem, is ultimately in your best interest. More than anything else though, it’s about trust.

Trust that this individual understands your struggles. Trust that they are fighting for you. Trust that they are the only one who can fix what’s broken. And because that trust is so deeply rooted, any attack on that individual feels personal. To them, it’s not just an attack on Trump—it’s an attack on their judgment, their values, and their hope for a better future.

This is one of the main reasons why attacking Donald Trump directly does not work. In fact, it often backfires. His supporters see him as their champion, the person standing between them and a world they feel is stacked against them. When Trump is attacked—whether through media criticism, public mockery, or even legal prosecution—his followers don’t see it as accountability. They see it as proof that the system they already distrust is conspiring against him—and, by extension, against them.

In this way, prosecuting Trump, while legally and morally the right thing to do, might have been the worst possible move when it comes to defeating MAGA/Trumpism. It only solidifies his martyrdom in their eyes, reinforcing their belief that he’s the only one who can challenge the “corrupt system.” Remember, legal prosecution relies on facts, and as we’ve already discussed, facts alone don’t work in this context.

Understanding the Difference Between Cult Members and Leaders

Before we dive into how to break trust, it’s crucial to recognize that not all MAGA supporters are the same. There’s a key distinction between cult members and cult leaders—and understanding this difference is essential to deciding how to engage.

By “cult leaders,” I’m not talking about Trump himself—I would call him the cult “idol”. Cult leaders exist at all levels. They can be online influencers, church leaders, or even local community figures who don’t just follow the MAGA message but actively amplify it. These individuals play a different role: they’re not just loyal to the movement—they are the ones working to sustain and spread it.

Engaging with cult leaders requires a completely different approach. The goal with them isn’t to foster doubt or disillusionment; it’s to publicly dismantle their credibility in a way that diminishes their influence. This often involves exposing their hypocrisy or contradictions in a way that leaves them humiliated and undermined in the eyes of their followers.

That’s a much more direct and combative strategy; one we address elsewhere. But for now, let’s focus on the cult members—the people who genuinely believe in the movement and the figure they idolize. These are the individuals whose trust in the movement can be cracked, given the right approach.

Cracking the Trust

The truth is, the key to engaging with MAGA supporters isn’t about facts or logic—it’s about emotions, and specifically, it’s about trust. And here’s the thing about trust: it’s not something you can break with a single fact or argument. Trust is eroded by feelings—specifically, the feelings of betrayal and disillusionment.

When people lose trust, it’s not because someone handed them a detailed analysis proving they were wrong. It happens because they feel let down or deceived—because the image they hold of someone no longer lines up with reality. That’s the space we have to navigate: fostering the emotional cracks that lead to betrayal and disillusionment, rather than trying to hammer at them with facts.

Let’s look at Donald Trump and what is it about him that his cult members idolize most: Patriotism and anti-elitism. He’s built his image as a champion of the American worker, someone who loves this country and puts its people first. But does that image hold up when you look closely? Consider this:

• Betrayal of American Workers: Trump brags about using H1B and H2B visas to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor at his resorts and businesses. He could have hired Americans, but instead, he chose profits over patriotism.

• Made in China: Now, imagine this. Trump loves to wrap himself in the flag, talking about his loyalty to America. But the Bible he sells—a Bible that includes the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution—is made in China. Just think about that for a moment. The most sacred words representing America’s ideals, printed in a foreign country rather than by American workers. What kind of message does that send? What kind of respect does that show?

• Union-Busting Elitism: Trump sits with billionaires like Elon Musk and laughs about firing American workers who try to unionize and fight for their rights. He claims to be for the people, but his actions show where his true loyalties lie—with the ultra-wealthy, not the hardworking Americans who believed in him.

These aren’t just contradictions; they’re personal betrayals. They cut to the core of what Trump claims to stand for: love of country, loyalty to its people, and fighting for the everyday American. Highlighting these moments isn’t about beating someone in an argument—it’s about helping them feel the disconnect between Trump’s promises and his actions.

These details can plant a seed of doubt. They invite the question: If he loves America so much, why does he outsource even the most symbolic items of our national pride? If he’s fighting for me, why does he laugh with billionaires while workers are left behind?

It’s through these moments—where ideals and reality clash—that trust begins to crack.

So, how do you plant seeds of doubt without triggering defensiveness? The key is to approach the conversation as if you’re sharing an observation, not picking a fight. This isn’t about proving someone wrong—it’s about nudging them to question things on their own terms.

• Ask Questions, Don’t Lecture: Frame your points as questions that invite curiosity instead of confrontation:

  • “Did you know Trump has his Bibles—including the Pledge of Allegiance and the Constitution—printed in China? I thought that was surprising for someone so focused on ‘America First.’ What do you think?”

  • “I read that Trump brags about using foreign labor to replace American workers. Doesn’t that seem out of step with what he says he stands for?”

  Questions encourage reflection and leave space for them to engage without feeling cornered.

• Share, Don’t Push: Casually mention contradictions as if you’re simply sharing something that surprised you:

  • “I was surprised to learn Trump’s campaign spent millions at his own businesses. It made me wonder: is that really putting America first?”

  This tone keeps the conversation light, making it less likely for them to feel defensive.

• Use Stories, Not Stats: Stories stick. Instead of rattling off facts, paint a picture:

  • “Can you imagine finding out the leader you trust had the U.S. Constitution printed in China? That would feel like a slap in the face.”

• Stories resonate emotionally and make the contradiction more relatable.

• Appeal to Shared Values: Focus on values you both care about, like patriotism or fairness:

  • “I’ve always believed in supporting American workers—it’s what being patriotic means to me. That’s why it’s hard to reconcile Trump outsourcing jobs and merchandise.”

  This avoids attacking their beliefs directly while reinforcing a shared commitment to what’s right.

• Be Patient: Change takes time. The goal isn’t to “win” the conversation—it’s to plant questions that linger. Even if they don’t respond positively right away, those questions can grow into doubts later. Subtlety and consistency are key. Remember: people rarely change their minds in the heat of an argument, but they do when they feel safe enough to think things through on their own

• Come From a Place of Love and Compassion: At its deepest level, being part of a cult is about seeking love and community. Trump and MAGA provide a sense of belonging and purpose, even if it’s rooted in falsehoods. If you want to plant seeds of doubt, you need to offer something to replace that feeling. Engage with compassion, showing that they have value outside of the movement.
  This doesn’t mean excusing harmful beliefs or behavior—it means helping them feel like they’re not walking into isolation if they step away. Without an alternative source of connection, they’re unlikely to abandon the community they’ve built within the cult. And yes, these conversations can feel draining or even painful, especially when the beliefs being challenged might threaten your identity or values. But that’s why they matter so much. Every step toward breaking MAGA’s grip is a step toward reclaiming a society grounded in empathy, fairness, and truth.

From One Conversation to a Collective Movement

It might feel like these small, individual conversations don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. What’s one seed of doubt when the movement seems so massive, so entrenched? But here’s the truth: these moments of engagement add up. When we all take the time to challenge the narrative in small but meaningful ways, those cracks in trust start to multiply—and that’s when real change becomes possible.

Movements like MAGA thrive on a sense of unshakable unity, but that unity is fragile. It’s held together by a web of trust, repetition, and the absence of challenges. Every time you plant a question, share a story, or foster doubt in even one person, you weaken the bonds holding that movement together. And when enough of us do it, the effect becomes exponential.

This isn’t just about you or me. It’s about all of us recognizing our role in confronting this ideology—not with shouting matches or arguments, but with persistence, empathy, and courage. Together, our collective efforts can create a ripple effect, turning individual moments of doubt into a broader unraveling of the movement’s power.

When you take action, you’re not just chipping away at someone’s misplaced trust—you’re part of something much larger: a shared effort to reclaim truth, fairness, and decency in our society. And that collective action is far more powerful than any single conversation could ever be.

The Path Forward: Choosing Engagement Over Silence

Breaking through the MAGA mindset isn’t easy. It’s uncomfortable, slow, and often frustrating. But the alternative—silence and disengagement—is far worse. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. warned us about the dangers of passive acceptance, and his words remain as true today as ever. By refusing to engage, we allow dangerous movements to grow unchecked, their lies to harden into unshakable beliefs, and their influence to threaten the very fabric of our society.

This isn’t just about trying to change one person’s mind or “winning” a conversation. It’s about being part of something bigger: a movement dedicated to truth, fairness, and the future we all deserve. Just by being here—reading, reflecting, and considering how you can engage—you’re already a part of The American Manifesto. Together, we’re creating a counter-movement to MAGA, one rooted in integrity, compassion, and community.

Think of it like planting a forest. Each tree begins as a seed, but over time, those seeds grow into something unstoppable—roots spreading, branches reaching, transforming the landscape. Imagine a country where truth matters again, where workers’ voices are valued, and where our differences are strengths, not divisions. That’s the future we’re fighting for—and it starts with us.

Remember that feeling of empowerment you had when you blocked MAGA or pushed it away? Now imagine how much more empowering it will feel to steal someone away from MAGA—away from the lies and toxicity—and welcome them into our movement. Imagine helping someone rediscover their values and their sense of purpose, not through fear or division but through hope and truth. That’s the kind of power and change we can create together.

And here’s where you can help us grow. Share this message. Start those tough conversations. Every small action you take spreads the ripple of engagement that can weaken MAGA’s influence. And if you want to take your support to the next level, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your contribution not only helps us keep our message free from paywalls and corporate influence, but it ensures we can reach more people with the truth.

The fight for truth and justice isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about showing up, asking questions, and refusing to let misinformation go unchallenged. Together, we can create the change our society desperately needs. Let’s rise to the moment, choose engagement over silence, and build a future defined by hope, fairness, and accountability.

The time to act is now. Let’s reject silence, embrace engagement, and show the world that a better future is within our reach.