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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Fabiola Cineas

Four Maga defectors on what led them to walk away: ‘I’d been addicted to fear and rage’

a collage showing the Leaving Maga logo and closeups of various peoples' eyes
‘I had to reckon with the fact that I’d been complicit in … amplifying conspiracy theories that caused real suffering,’ says Rich Logis, the founder of Leaving Maga. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

Since Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign a decade ago, “Make America Great Again” (Maga) has evolved from a slogan into an identity, one that claims to center conservative, “America first” values and relies on lies and conspiracy theories to stay afloat. And while Maga has survived impeachments, indictments and a lost election, some devotees are walking away – and doing so loudly.

Rich Logis, a former Trump campaign volunteer, left Maga in 2022, publishing a public apology to help others see that it was OK to challenge the movement. The overwhelming response led him to found the non-profit Leaving Maga, a network of support groups and meetups for people to unpack their role in bolstering Trump’s platform. Logis said he doesn’t persuade people to leave; he just gives them a place to land when they do. The group’s billboard campaign, now running in 27 states, is built around a simple message: “Having doubts? You are not alone.”

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