Rebellion or Retreat? Unpacking Black Support for MAGA
Jul 03, 2025By Emma Young, writer, community activist, free spirit
I had to post this on your (Salim Muwakkil) page because when I asked ChatGPT why do some Black Americans embrace MAGA their answer sounded like they had gone through your articles and posts to come up with this answer. I'm like "Dag ChatGPT, have you been talking to Salim?" Here's their answer:
It’s one of the most confounding questions in American politics:
Why would any Black American support a political movement—MAGA—that is so deeply entwined with white grievance, racial scapegoating, and open nostalgia for a time when Black people had far fewer rights?
The answer isn’t simple. But from a psychological perspective, it is explainable.
Cognitive Dissonance and Identity Splits
To support a political figure who traffics in racist tropes, a person must do one of two things: confront the contradiction—or deny it. Many choose the latter. Psychologists call this cognitive dissonance, the discomfort felt when holding two contradictory beliefs. To resolve that discomfort, a voter might downplay the racism, distract with “whataboutism,” or inflate other perceived benefits: "He’s good for business," or "At least he’s honest."
This internal tension often coincides with identity dissonance—a separation from collective Black identity and history. For some, voting MAGA becomes an assertion of individualism: I think for myself. But that “freedom” often comes at the cost of distancing from the broader Black struggle.
Rebellion Against Political Orthodoxy
Some Black MAGA voters are reacting to feeling used or ignored by the political left. This is called psychological reactance—when people push back against norms or expectations, even when those expectations are meant to protect them. These voters may see loyalty to the Democratic Party as obligatory and, therefore, suffocating. Their support for MAGA is a rebellion cloaked in the language of freedom and nonconformity.
The Lure of Power and Aspirational Whiteness
Social identity theory teaches us that people often want to align with groups they perceive as powerful. Supporting MAGA can be a way—conscious or not—to gain proximity to that power. For some, this means absorbing the values of white conservatism in hopes of being seen as "the exception," or gaining access to spaces traditionally closed to Black Americans.
This is sometimes reinforced by internalized racism—the belief, deeply rooted in centuries of oppression, that success means distancing oneself from one’s own culture or community.
Religion, Morality, and “Family Values”
Black communities are not a monolith. Some Black Trump supporters are led not by race, but by religion. For voters who prioritize anti-abortion stances, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, or Christian nationalism, MAGA offers a moral home—even if that home is built on exclusion. These voters don’t see themselves as betraying Blackness, but as upholding Biblical values.
Misinformation and Media Manipulation
The rise of social media algorithms and targeted disinformation campaigns have created echo chambers where alternative facts flourish. Black communities have not been immune. A flood of right-wing propaganda, “independent” influencers, and false equivalencies (e.g., “the Democrats were the real racists”) have seeded doubt and reshaped historical memory.
The result? Some voters, especially younger or politically disillusioned ones, reject mainstream narratives in favor of conspiratorial or contrarian beliefs.
Masculinity and the Illusion of Strength
MAGA sells a brand of hypermasculine strength. For some Black men—especially those feeling economically or socially disempowered—Trump’s bravado represents a fantasy of regained control. It doesn’t matter that the policies may harm them. The performance of toughness resonates.
Not New, Just Repackaged
This isn’t the first time Black conservatism has challenged mainstream Black politics. From Booker T. Washington to Clarence Thomas to Kanye West, there has always been a tension between collective liberation and individual uplift. MAGA is just the latest iteration of that tension—marketed with slick slogans and a dangerous edge.
Conclusion: Understand Without Excusing
None of this analysis is meant to justify support for a movement that threatens democracy and racial equity. But understanding the psychological roots—disillusionment, identity conflict, status aspiration, moral framing, and media influence—can help us have more honest conversations about race, politics, and power in America.
If we want to build a future rooted in justice, we must know how—and why—some members of our community are pulled toward its opposite.
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