What if the Left Had Hope for MAGA?

I might get a lot of flak for this. Many born again Christians speak of a hope for Donald Trump to be “saved”. They might support him and like that he “likes Christians” but hope for a “born again” moment for Trump.

After all the smearing of Mamdani by outlets like Fox News, the president's actions appear to be “keeping them on their toes”. After the Presidents and Mamdani’s overall very positive meeting, they have to come up with a new spin.

Weird thought I had; What if the left was actually about “changing hearts and minds”. Not in a disrespectful or forceful way. But similar to evangelicals hope for Trump, what if the left had hope for not just Trump but MAGA?

That might sound crazy. I know plenty of you would disagree very forcefully. I could see people saying, “How could I have hope that my political enemies would change their ways? They are racist, sexist, selfish, blah blah blah”

Not to say that the “left” shouldn’t take seriously the real threats, but I suggest entertaining the idea that the “left” appears to be very happy with being marginal forever screaming “racist, sexist, transphobe!” into the void preferring the comfort of being moral and correct.

I agree that there are moral issues with the inaccurate viewpoints of right-wing Christian Evangelicals and Christian Nationalists. One thing they do perhaps too well, sometimes to a cult of personality degree, is the graciousness they afford to Trump. He could practically, “shoot someone on 5th Ave” and get away with it.

I’m not saying what I suggest next will work in the case of Mamdani. The stars would have to align. I’m not saying it is sufficient, but taking a firm stand on the issues while communicating differences and trying to find an inroad is how you build broad based support and “change minds” in general.

This is not a statement on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of “social democracy” or “electoralism” of which I share criticisms. It is not a statement on if I think Mamdani’s term in office can or will experience “successes” however you measure that. It’s an analogy. A comparison if you will of how “the left” could act interpersonally (similar to Mamdani most recently) vs how they often act. You don’t have to be as “smooth” as Mamdani, just drop some ego

counterarguments:

argument emphasizing some people are "too far gone" and how people act

response: The affects you describe, or the way individuals act and consume “politics” is symptomatic. You’d be surprised though. Marjorie Taylor Greene hasn’t been “converted”, “radicalized” or “seen the light” exactly. Very far from it. But there are baby steps. And I’ll applaud to that, anyways. Not glaze her with praise like a liberal talk show host for offering a little bit of resistance to Trump.

I don’t want to infantilize or take away people’s agency either. It’s certainly complex. I’ll say, a person changing their worldview is like moving a mountain, but it happens! plus, we might not have to change people’s “worldviews” perse. Just build enough of a broad coalition and respect amongst citizens. I don’t think “the left” has been doing that enough btw because of their own symptoms

argument: Trump is politically selfish and is not being genuine with Mamdani

response: That’s been the pattern. I still think interpersonally there might be a lesson that’s not just about Trump. Not saying we have to start “liking” people interpersonally or politically. It’s not about who we “like”. Fox News ironically is saying that now about Trump glazing Mamdani. Kernel of truth but I’m aware Trump has been known to “flip on a dime”. Keeping the media on their toes, it’s very likely Fox News will go back to ruthless attack again! Mamdani in or out? It all depends on Trump, I guess. We need to learn how to think.