My Leaving MAGA Odyssey

Ashton Reed was 11 when Donald Trump first ran for president. In this episode, Ashton reflects on growing up around MAGA politics, voting for Trump, and the questions that later led him to leave. He explains why what he learned about ICE raids and detention conditions changed his view, and why he chose to speak publicly.

To watch this episode, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ut1ZOhTNA

Rich sits down with Pacifica Affiliate Network for a wide-ranging conversation about his time in MAGA, why he left MAGA and what the future of MAGA looks like.

Bailee Tyler once supported Donald Trump and considered herself deeply conservative. Leaving MAGA didn’t happen all at once. Today, Bailee speaks publicly about her experience because she wants others to know that people can change, and that leaving MAGA can be the beginning of a much better way of life.

To watch this conversation, visit below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_szYaLGO1iE

Addy grew up in a far-right conservative household, where Fox News shaped her worldview long before she was old enough to vote. Homeschooled and surrounded by MAGA culture, supporting Donald Trump felt like the natural path.

In this conversation, Addy shares what it was like growing up inside the movement, why she proudly voted for Trump in 2020, and the experiences that ultimately led her to question everything she believed.

As she began listening to perspectives outside her own, she came to a painful realization: MAGA had taken away her empathy for other people. Today, she speaks publicly in hopes that others questioning the movement know they are not alone, and that change is possible.

To watch this conversation, visit below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYJK8KhiDW0&t=1s

Why do people join the MAGA movement, and what can make someone begin questioning it? Brian Batts, a leader in the Leaving MAGA community, shares what originally attracted him to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, including anger following the 2008 financial crisis, distrust of political institutions, and the appeal of an outsider promising to disrupt the system.

Brian also discusses his religious and political deconstruction, why he now speaks publicly about leaving MAGA, and the hope his story can offer families who feel they have lost someone to political extremism.

To watch this conversation, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAr3VsRm1sM&t=21s

Jay Gilley shares his story of how he became drawn into MAGA ideology, how gaming culture, Gamergate-era anger, conspiracy media, and QAnon-style thinking shaped his worldview, and what finally helped him begin questioning it all.

To watch this conversation, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXkZq4lQ8Vk&t=5s

Meet Jennie Gage, an ex-Mormon who left MAGA.

To watch Jennie's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qusHI_fiCaQ

Meet Steve Francisci, who survived the trauma of being in the MAGA community.

To watch Steven's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uDcLXjz3Jc

Meet Jerry Koch, who was radicalized online and left MAGA.

To watch Jerry's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqrZ1F0aE2c

Meet Erica Roach, who was deep in QAnon before she left MAGA.

To read Erica's testimonial, visit here:

https://leavingmaga.org/they-left-maga/erica-roach/