Beating MAGA: How we can Win (Pt. 1)
While it may seem that the current regime is doing everything it can to consolidate power into Trump’s hands, we have great lines of counterattacks to save our freedoms.
Writer’s Note: I’m glad to be back from a short break. I’m grateful to everyone for joining today and starting your week’s routine with the Adverse Daily. I have some great opportunities for those of us who are deeply frustrated by the Trump administration, inspired in part by watching Medhi Hassan debate 20 very right-wing conservatives in this video on YouTube, made by Jubilee, which I encourage everyone to watch, even though it’s long. What’s also instructive is watching Mr. Hasan’s post-debate live session, where he answers questions about his approach, emotional state, and how the debate personally impacted him. Thanks to the BULWARK and ZETEO for their work with Mr. Hasan to get his comments and impressions. It is an honor to support this work through my own Substack article!
Now, we’ll turn to a few top topics for analysis and discussion.
Last Week’s Leftovers
First, in case you didn’t see it, Trump made a “Made for Mainstream Media” trip to the Federal Reserve, which is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar renovation, so that he could publicly embarrass Jerome Powell, the Fed Chair, which backfired in an enjoyable way.
The stated objective was for Trump to put Powell on display while he needled him about cost overruns and missed budget projections for the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters. There was no real reason Trump had to put on a hard hat and go there. It was purely for show, and Trump revealed his own staff’s lack of competence by including a building from 2021 in the cost estimates.
The ulterior motive, it appeared, was to apply pressure on the Fed Chair to lower interest rates, which will make (short-term) borrowing less expensive. Powell was kind enough to point out the dollars Trump that the building he was including in the overruns was incorrect, and was built five years ago.
The Week Ahead
This week will see significant deflection from the White Hosue by pointing the world to literally anyting other than Jeffrey Epstein. No big surprise there. Trump wants this to go away, but he’s pushed the one nerve that never grows numb with his MAGA base, and it’s interesting to watch unfold.
I think you’ll enjoy watching Creepy Mike Johnson unveil his reasoning on yesterday’s NBC Meet the Press with Kristen Welker in this short clip:
He manages to plaster that weird smile on his face, virtually guaranteed to make any small child run the other direction. All while he tries to sanewash his crazy move of shutting down the House early so they wouldn’t be able to vote on releasing the Epstein files! Precious.
Market-Facing News
This week, key reports will be released that affect your 401(k) and wallet. Here’s a quick rundown.
Monday: Boeing, PayPal, Procter & Gamble, and Spotify all release Corporate Earnings Statements. The health of Boeing’s recovery will be closely watched for signs of optimism as it attempts to secure orders in the wake of Trump’s volatile tariffs. For those with industrial stocks (DJIA), the US Dallas Fed will release its Fed Manufacturing Index today. Last month it dropped significantly, showing industrial slowdowns (-12.7%). We’ll be watching closely today for a rise or fall of this index. Likewise the UK will release its Distributive Trades Survey, which is a great tool that measures consumer sentiment in Retail, signaling rising or falling buying trends
.Tuesday, a report will come out for the US Job Openings for June 2025. Will show how tight the labor market is generally, which corporate investors watch carefully for signs of increased job openings. Microsoft will release its quarterly earnings, as will AMD and Starbucks.
Wednesday, the ADP Payroll report will be released, showing the private sector available jobs, which are expected to be about 150,000, a drop of 2,000 openings. Meta releases its earnings report, as does Qualcomm.
Thursday is a significant day for US economic indicators: The GDB Q2 Advance Estimate of growth or reduction is expected, with an estimate of positive growth amid concerns about a recession. On the earnings front, Apple will release its earnings report, along with Amazon and Coinbase.
Friday marks the first of August. The government will release its reports for the US Unemployment rate, the ISM Manufacturing PMI (indicates strength in US production of goods), and China will release its Manufacturing PMI. Both PMIs give leading indicators of consumer and supply chain health and demand for products across the economies of both countries.
Part One of Seeing MAGA for What It Is
I’ll be including sections this week, each laying out pieces of a larger goal to help everyone interested become more equipped with tools to fight against the authoritarian and surveillance states that we can easily see forming around us. As I prepared to write this section, a few things became very clear:
Not unexpectedly, to talk about how to fight against the rhetoric of radicalized conservative MAGA people, we need to make sure our own terms and definitions are clear and simple. We must be that way beyond question when we encounter these people.
Many people are experiencing buyer’s remorse over casting their vote for Trump last year. People who thought the Trump tide would raise all ships in the ocean were wrong. Farmers have shortages of workers who’ve left the country. Retailers, although more certain today than yesterday because of the EU trade deal, still face rising prices that are costs to be passed on to us. We have to grab the opportunity, one voter at a time, to talk about our biggest priorities, because the Democrats are not coming to save us. It is literally up to each of us.
Understanding the MAGA mindset, and especially its lack of complexity in most political ideas, tells you how much opportunity is in front of you. You still need to speak in terms they understand, and avoid letting them lump you into Trumpism categories like “radical left lunatics.” Facts are our best defense, supported by logic, and delivered with simplicity and empathy..
If you recall at the top of this article, I made mention of Medhi Hasan’s great video on the Jubilee Gen-Z media source (they watch it, a lot!). As a fan of Mr. Hasan’s, and an admirer of his effort and skill, I did something he talks about in his book Win Every Argument published in 2023.
In his book, which I’m 100% not paid to endorse, mention, or otherwise promote in any way, he has many practical tips on ways to be more effective in communicating in difficult circumstances, like when your “adversary” is not operating with all the facts, as many MAGA folks have been known to do. I suggest you take a look, either by reading a sample or getting the book from your local library (if that’s an option).
Tim Miller and Medhi Hasan have a great post-debate discussion about what happened.
From what I learned by reading about and speaking with MAGA acquaintances, I’ve been able to compile a list of what I’ll call the “Big Thirteen” list of common arguments and collections of grievances that they talk about. I've arranged them in this order so that you can bookmark this for future use, if you find yourself needing help understanding what far-right conservatives think.
I call this part of a small series because I think I’ll be expanding on other ways that Progressives have all the tools to take power away from the Republicans in Congress next year. Even if we can’t fix all of the Democratic Party’s problems, I’m pretty sure we can get headed far enough in the right direction to gather votes against the incumbent Republicans.
MAGA’s Thirteen Archetypes
Premise: Undocumented workers pose an existential threat to the economy and culture of the United States, imposing their culture and taking jobs away from U.S. citizens who deserve them in the construction and hospitality industries.
Factual Truth: Undocumented immigrants are a net positive for the U.S. economy, contributing $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022 alone (including $59.4 billion federally) while being ineligible for most benefits, and holding $299 billion in spending power that stimulates growth. They represent about 4.6% of the workforce and will cost up to $968 billion to deport, while increasing the unemployment rate and causing labor shortages nationwide. 77% of U.S. citizens disagree with Trump’s proposed immigration reforms.
Premise: Immigrants exploit birthright citizenship ("anchor babies") to invade; it should be ended to preserve resources for "real" Americans—driving 2025's mass deportations via military and states.
Factual Truth: Jus soli is rooted in English common law and the 14th Amendment; revoking it wouldn't solve immigration issues and could create statelessness, as established legal precedents dictate. Deportations (e.g., targeting over 13 million at a $968 billion cost) result in wrongful detentions and have economic impacts, including farm shortages.
Premise: A shadowy elite cabal in government agencies (FBI, CIA) controls everything, undermining patriots like Trump through "witch hunts" and globalist plots. Ghislane Maxwell and Jeffry Epstein are prime examples of this.
Factual Truth: The "deep state" is a misnomer for civil servants; allegations often stem from unproven conspiracies, ignoring established accountability mechanisms such as oversight committees. Epstein-related theories exemplify this: Claims of a "client list" blackmailing elites or a murder cover-up lack evidence, as confirmed by multiple DOJ and FBI reviews. There’s growing Democrat-fueled suspicion that Trump is implicated in the files.
Premise: Trade deals and international alliances betray American workers; tariffs and isolationism will "Make America Great Again" by prioritizing natives over foreigners.
Factual Truth: Globalization has complex effects, but protectionism often raises costs for consumers; evidence shows trade boosts economies overall, though it requires worker protections.
Premise: Trump's deals (e.g., Qatari jet gift, meme coins for access) are smart business or wartime gestures, not corruption—elites just hate a deal-maker.
Factual Truth: These violate the emoluments clause (bans foreign gifts without Congress); ethics experts call them blatant conflicts, enriching Trump/family amid policy favors (e.g., $1.2T Qatar deals).
Premise: Israel is defending against Hamas terrorists; genocide claims are anti-Semitic propaganda—U.S. must back Israel fully for biblical/end-times reasons.
Factual Truth: Genocide requires intent to destroy a group (per UN Convention); experts cite Israel's actions (e.g., 109K+ deaths, aid blockades) as fitting, but MAGA denies via self-defense framing—ignoring ICJ rulings and humanitarian crises.
Premise: Science doesn't prove climate change is real or human-caused; it's a hoax by elites to control economies and push globalist agendas like green energy taxes.
Factual Truth: An overwhelming scientific consensus (e.g., 97% or more of peer-reviewed studies) confirms human-driven warming due to greenhouse gases; denial often relies on cherry-picked, outdated, or non-peer-reviewed sources funded by fossil fuel interests.
Premise: Elites are orchestrating mass immigration to replace white, Christian populations with non-white minorities, leading to cultural erosion and "white genocide"—justifying 2025's mass deportations as national survival.
Factual Truth: This conspiracy lacks evidence and stems from racist ideologies; demographic shifts are driven by natural migration patterns, birth rates, and economic factors, not a coordinated plot. Recent deportations (e.g., 600,000+ targeted, including wrongful U.S. citizen detentions) disrupt economies without addressing root causes.
Premise: America was founded as a Christian nation, and the government should enforce biblical laws on issues like abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration to reclaim it from secular "demons"—including Gaza support as fulfilling prophecy.
Factual Truth: The US Constitution emphasizes religious freedom and separation of church/state (e.g., First Amendment); founders like Jefferson rejected theocracy. A definition agreed upon by critics and some proponents: An ideology merging Christian and American identities, where the nation is seen as divinely favored for Christians, but it risks imposing faith on non-believers, contradicting pluralism.
Premise: Elections are rigged by fraud (e.g., mail-in ballots, non-citizen voting) from the "deep state," justifying voter suppression to protect "real" Americans.
Factual Truth: Multiple audits, courts, and bipartisan investigations (e.g., 60+ lawsuits dismissed) confirm no widespread fraud in 2020; claims amplify distrust without evidence.
Premise: "Woke" culture (DEI, critical race theory) indoctrinates and cancels traditional values, threatening free speech and meritocracy.
Factual Truth: These initiatives address systemic inequalities supported by historical data; opposition often exaggerates them as threats, ignoring the benefits of diverse workplaces.
Premise: Any gun control violates the Second Amendment and disarms citizens against tyranny; mass shootings are mental health issues, not gun access problems.
Factual Truth: The Amendment allows regulation (e.g., Supreme Court rulings); studies show stricter laws correlate with fewer deaths, while mental health focus ignores the US's unique gun prevalence.
Premise: Feminism and gender equality erode family structures; women should prioritize traditional roles, and transgender rights are a "war on biology."
Factual Truth: Gender equality enhances societies (e.g., economic growth through women's workforce participation); grievances often stem from cultural fears, rather than evidence of harm.
That’s a Wrap
We’ve covered a few leftover items that will carry forward this week, like the Epstein Files, and taken a brief look at the information coming out that will definitely cause reactions on the equity and debt markets over the next five days.
And to wrap it up, the Thirteen types I identified above aren’t necessarily going to cover 100% of the MAGA political spectrum. I’d like to know what you think: Is this information helpful to as we move closer to the 2026 midterms, knowing political discussions will become more frequent and inevitable? Leave a comment or a message! I welcome feedback, as long as it’s not abusive.
Speaking of self-care, I hope you’ll take some time today to unplug from your digital footprint. I am fairly consistent about asking my readers to consider it, partly to remind them and partly to encourage them to do things that are good for their mental health. If it’s a nice day outside, you might consider spending some time outdoors. Please take care of yourself, because we need you! The fight ahead is long, and every person counts.
Please consider becoming a subscriber to this publication as well. No arm-twisting, just the simple proposition: If you like what I write, know this is an entirely reader-supported publication, and I’d love to have you as a paid subscriber. If that doesn’t work, I welcome you as a free subscriber! I’m grateful in either case that you took the time to read this today! Please like, comment, share, and restack if you would! It helps get the message out!
Be well,
Rick herbst
July 28, 2025
SOURCES
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/24/politics/trump-powell-federal-reserve-visit-renovation
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/24/us/trump-federal-reserve-powell
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-presses-powell-cut-rates-during-tense-visit-fed-2025-07-24/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/25/trump-powell-federal-reserve-interest-rates/
https://x.com/Charles56840801/status/1948722500906414250?referrer=grok-com
https://x.com/Kingkiko61/status/1948704180056850810?referrer=grok-com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-right_politics
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=plscuht
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/opinion/christian-nationalism.html
https://www.freedomforum.org/what-is-christian-nationalism/
https://www.missioalliance.org/christian-nationalism-what-defines-it/
https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/faqs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpism
https://paw.princeton.edu/article/trump-era-whos-populist
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the-rise-of-political-violence-in-the-united-states/
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=plscuht
https://paw.princeton.edu/article/trump-era-whos-populist
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8743092/
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/12/populism-trumpism-2024-hawley-rubio-american-compass.html
https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/why-white-men-fall-for-the-far-right/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-right_politics
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/13/trump-crypto-coins-jet-qatar/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_in_the_second_presidency_of_Donald_Trump
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/15/politics/democrats-raise-trump-corruption-concerns
i lack the emotional stability to debate anyone, so i leave that to cooler heads. however, the archetypes you feature in this article are incredibly insightful and helpful in breaking down their bullshit. while i avoid debate, i don’t avoid talking about what’s happening right now to every person i encounter. the information you present here is useful in responding to semi-good faith questions.
Thanks, this article was informative and helpful! Looking forward to part II.