WE ARE AT WAR!

The War for Democracy: How MAGA’s Media Machine is Undermining America’s Legacy

For nearly a century, the world has looked to the United States as the bulwark of democracy. Through the World Wars, the Cold War, and countless international crises, American leadership—imperfect but steadfast—stood as a beacon for free nations. The U.S. was the country that helped rebuild Europe after the devastation of World War II, that stood firm against Soviet authoritarianism, and that championed self-determination over tyranny.

Now, thanks to the rise of Trump and his MAGA movement, that legacy is crumbling before our eyes. What was once a global leader in democracy has become an exporter of chaos, disinformation, and autocratic cheerleading. The Republican Party—once the party of Reagan, Eisenhower, and Lincoln—has morphed into an anti-democratic cult of personality, beholden not to the Constitution but to a disgraced former president who treats democracy as an inconvenience rather than an ideal.

MAGA: The Media War Against Democracy

Let’s be clear: we are in a war for the soul of our country, and the most dangerous weapon in this war is not a bullet or a bomb, but propaganda.

MAGA has successfully built a powerful, well-funded, and highly coordinated media empire—one that operates not as a source of news, but as a machine designed to manipulate, deceive, and radicalize millions of Americans against democracy itself. This propaganda network, consisting of Fox News, Newsmax, One America News, and an army of social media operatives, has created an alternative reality in which truth is expendable, autocracy is preferable, and enemies of democracy—like Vladimir Putin—are worthy of admiration.

The result? A once-proud democracy where nearly half of the electorate now believes an insurrectionist con man should return to power, where support for Ukraine—an ally fighting for its survival—is dismissed as a “waste of money,” and where the institutions meant to uphold our democracy are under relentless attack.

The Authoritarian Playbook: MAGA’s March Toward Fascism

History is not subtle in its warnings. Every authoritarian movement, from Mussolini’s Italy to Hitler’s Germany to Putin’s Russia, follows a familiar pattern:

1. Undermine Trust in Institutions – Trump’s relentless attacks on the press, the justice system, and the electoral process have laid the groundwork for authoritarian rule. If people no longer believe in the legitimacy of elections, the path to dictatorship is wide open.
2. Rewrite History – MAGA has turned history into a weapon. Slavery is downplayed, January 6th is recast as a patriotic uprising, and Trump’s impeachments are dismissed as political witch hunts rather than necessary constitutional accountability.
3. Vilify the Free Press – “Fake news” was never just a slogan—it was a strategy. By demonizing real journalism and amplifying conspiracy theories, MAGA has successfully created a nation where millions refuse to believe anything that contradicts their worldview.
4. Promote a Cult of Personality – Trump is not just a political figure to his followers; he is their infallible leader, beyond reproach, above the law. This is how autocracies are born.
5. Demonize Political Opponents – MAGA doesn’t simply disagree with Democrats; it labels them as traitors, criminals, and enemies of the state. That rhetoric paves the way for political violence, as we saw on January 6th.

Ukraine is an Ally. Putin is an Enemy. This is Not Complicated.

There was a time when Americans understood the difference between democracy and dictatorship. We fought against Nazi Germany. We stood firm against Soviet aggression. We helped bring down the Berlin Wall.

Now, under Trump’s MAGA movement, we see elected Republicans parroting Kremlin talking points. Trump himself has openly praised Putin while attacking NATO, suggesting he would “let Russia do whatever the hell it wants.” This is treasonous, plain and simple. If MAGA had its way, America would be an isolated, weakened nation that abandons its allies and emboldens its enemies.

Ukraine is fighting the war that democracy depends on. Their struggle is not just about their own survival—it’s about the survival of democratic ideals. Every dollar we send, every weapon we provide, is not just aid—it is an investment in the very system of government that keeps us free. To abandon Ukraine is to betray not just our allies, but ourselves.

We Must Fight Like Hell to Save Democracy

MAGA’s war on democracy is not something we can afford to treat lightly. This is not a time for politeness, for waiting, for assuming things will just “work out.” Authoritarianism doesn’t go away on its own—it must be actively defeated.

We must fight in every way possible:
• Expose and counter MAGA disinformation. Call out their lies, push back against their propaganda, and support real journalism.
• Support candidates who actually believe in democracy. This is not about left vs. right—it’s about democracy vs. authoritarianism. Vote accordingly.
• Hold social media platforms accountable. Demand that they crack down on extremist content, Russian influence campaigns, and outright disinformation.
• Defend free and fair elections. If we lose our ability to vote in legitimate elections, democracy is dead. That means fighting voter suppression, gerrymandering, and election subversion.
• Call out Republican cowardice. The GOP is full of people who know Trump is a danger but refuse to act out of fear. Shame them. Pressure them. Make them own their complicity.

We are not fighting a normal political battle. We are fighting a war for the future of our country.

And we must win.

Julie Bolejack, MBA