Editorials & Other Articles

AZProgressive

(29,957 posts) Wed Apr 29, 2026, 01:52 AM Wednesday

They voted for MAGA. Now they want out

For some Trump voters, leaving MAGA is a psychological ordeal. A new support group is trying to help

By Chauncey DeVega
Senior Writer
Published April 28, 2026 6:45AM (EDT)

(snip)

Rich Logis, founder and CEO of Leaving MAGA, is a former MAGA podcaster and fundraiser, and the author of “One Betrayal Too Many: Why I Left MAGA.” In a speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, he reflected on his experience with MAGA and why he finally left. Now he is going a step further. To encourage defectors from Trump’s coalition, his organization is paying for billboards with messages such as “You are not alone,” “Welcome home” and “Find your new community.” The campaign, which is estimated to cost $20,000, launched April 15 in Texas, and will soon expand to Florida, Pennsylvania and Iowa.

Leaving MAGA, Logis told Raw Story, is experiencing “record-high” fundraising and more MAGA followers are reaching out to the organization “than ever before.” But what is driving them out? His answer is direct and clear: the president’s lies, which Logis described as “Trump’s toxic superpower.”

Other reasons are also piling up. The president’s tariffs, which have in part led to spiraling prices for food, housing, gas and other essentials. His broken promise to end “stupid foreign wars” — followed by a war of choice against Iran. The cruelty of Trump’s mass deportations, which are ensnaring and killing Americans. The Epstein files. Greed and blatant corruption. An image of the president as Jesus Christ, which he proudly shared on April 12 and, after widespread criticism, including from evangelicals, he deleted the following day.

“Moral injury” is playing an underappreciated role in why MAGA members are leaving the movement. They chose to support Trump, but that choice can no longer be reconciled with their belief that they are actually good people.

https://www.salon.com/2026/04/28/they-voted-for-maga-now-they-want-out/

12 replies

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Highlight:

They voted for MAGA. Now they want out (Original Post) AZProgressive Wednesday OP

Maga is a cult. Leaving a cult is extremely difficult. usonian Wednesday #1

It sounds like this guy is encouraging a new cult - anti-MAGA FakeNoose Wednesday #2

He is clearly playing to the "I can't think for myself" crowd. 33taw Wednesday #3

Rich Logis was a MAGA activist and podcaster before and during Trump's first term. summer_in_TX Thursday #5

I can get behind those that are genuinely remoresful MustLoveBeagles Thursday #9

MAGAts got conned. maxsolomon Wednesday #4

How to respond when MAGA finally wakes up? summer_in_TX Thursday #6

We're on DU. I have no need to embrace empathy for regretful MAGAts here. maxsolomon Thursday #10

Certainly no need here. summer_in_TX Thursday #11

they're always acting like they are doing something so honorable Skittles Thursday #7

They should move to Argentina. Aristus Thursday #8

excellent point Skittles Thursday #12

usonian

(26,233 posts)

1. Maga is a cult. Leaving a cult is extremely difficult.

Reply to AZProgressive (Original post)

Wed Apr 29, 2026, 02:26 AM

Wednesday

It only works when the person actually wants to leave. Good that some are becoming aware. And then, it takes an experienced therapist to help recover the identity that was given up to the cult.

Just my amateur understanding.

They have been poisoned.

Call for an antidote.

FakeNoose

(42,093 posts)

2. It sounds like this guy is encouraging a new cult - anti-MAGA

Reply to AZProgressive (Original post)

Wed Apr 29, 2026, 08:56 AM

Wednesday

Last edited Wed Apr 29, 2026, 10:00 AM - Edit history (1)

I don't know anything about Rich Logis, other than what's given in this little blurb. But it sound like he's hooked on politics either way, whether he's for or against Chump. Why does he have this foundation, why is he the CEO, and why is he fundraising? Either he's planning to run for office, or he's grifting somehow. Sorry if I sound cynical, but I'm so wary of politicians right now.

33taw

(3,356 posts)

3. He is clearly playing to the "I can't think for myself" crowd.

Reply to FakeNoose (Reply #2)

Wed Apr 29, 2026, 11:01 AM

Wednesday

summer_in_TX

(4,236 posts)

5. Rich Logis was a MAGA activist and podcaster before and during Trump's first term.

Reply to FakeNoose (Reply #2)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 12:20 AM

Thursday

evil. He

…founded the nonprofit Leaving MAGA in 2024 after leaving the movement in August 2022. He was a staunch supporter of Donald Trump from 2015, hosting The Rich Logis Show podcast, writing op-eds, and contributing to conservative media outlets like Fox News and RealClearPolitics.

His departure from MAGA was driven by disillusionment over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 insurrection, and the Republican response to the Uvalde school shooting. In his memoir, One Betrayal Too Many: Why I Left MAGA, he issues a public apology for his role in promoting Trumpism and describes his journey as a "human story about how democracy erodes—and how it can be defended—one conscience at a time." He is now a co-chair of Republicans for Harris in Florida and has spoken at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in support of Kamala Harris.

I encountered him on Twitter/X right after he'd decided to start Leaving MAGA. I admired both that he was owning his part in getting Trump elected and that he faced what he'd done, repented, and decided he needed to speak out instead of slinking away.

MustLoveBeagles

(17,059 posts)

9. I can get behind those that are genuinely remoresful

Reply to summer_in_TX (Reply #5)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 10:35 AM

Thursday

An take responsibility for what they've done.

maxsolomon

(39,014 posts)

4. MAGAts got conned.

Reply to AZProgressive (Original post)

Wed Apr 29, 2026, 04:36 PM

Wednesday

It was obvious he was a con man BEFORE he ran, and MAGAts still fell for it because they're gullible fools.

No sympathy, no empathy, not even forgiveness. The damage is ongoing, global, and likely permanent - and there are still nearly a 1,000 days left.

summer_in_TX

(4,236 posts)

6. How to respond when MAGA finally wakes up?

Reply to maxsolomon (Reply #4)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 12:33 AM

Thursday

…now that these, and other people around us, are just beginning to open their eyes and admit they were duped, how do we react? Do we do the “Na-na-na-naaa-naaaa” dance? Do we scream, “I told you so!” at the top of our lungs? Do we give them the condescending look down our noses and shake our heads as if to say, “Why are you so stupid”? I know, that’s what we want to do. I know that would make us feel so much better about ourselves. I know it would make it feel as if our side was winning and their side was (finally) losing, but…what would that really accomplish, beyond our own personal feelings of satisfaction? One thing this sort of “I told you so” response would accomplish is to continually drive the wedge between “Us and Them” even further apart. Do we really want more division? Is that what’s best for the “United States of America”?

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/2026/04/mercy-for-maga-how-to-respond-when-they-finally-wake-up

Rich Logis woke up in time to be one of those who didn't vote for Trump a third time, to work to try to elect Dems in 2024, and to encourage former MAGA to not only leave but to also help awaken others.

maxsolomon

(39,014 posts)

10. We're on DU. I have no need to embrace empathy for regretful MAGAts here.

Reply to summer_in_TX (Reply #6)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 12:11 PM

Thursday

The "Division" of America is permanent. The GOP, and it's Propaganda Media did it deliberately. Trumpism nailed the coffin shut.

summer_in_TX

(4,236 posts)

11. Certainly no need here.

Reply to maxsolomon (Reply #10)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 02:34 PM

Thursday

All your points are well taken. I doubt it is actually permanent, but it could be. Yet for many it won't be permanent. Those are the ones I think the author was thinking about in particular.

I liked how he expressed the attitude many have or are tempted to have. That resonated with me.

Skittles

(172,439 posts)

7. they're always acting like they are doing something so honorable

Reply to AZProgressive (Original post)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 04:38 AM

Thursday

Trump doesn't have any "TOXIC SUPERPOWER" that works on ANYONE with functioning brain cells. FUCK THEM ALL, FUCKING TRAITORS.

Aristus

(72,416 posts)

8. They should move to Argentina.

Reply to AZProgressive (Original post)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 10:00 AM

Thursday

Deliberately voting for a madman because you wanted him to hurt people you hate, and then complaining that the madman destroyed the country, is definitely some gute Deutsche bullshit.

Skittles

(172,439 posts)

12. excellent point

Reply to Aristus (Reply #8)

Thu Apr 30, 2026, 10:25 PM

Thursday

gawd, it gets on my last nerve hearing these fucking MAGAts whining - they utterly DISGRACED America, UGH

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