# Why is calling Trump Supporters MAGAts allowed? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 31, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060 "2024-07-31T14:23:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/141 "2024-08-25T05:24:36Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > But, to be clear, they aren’t. Some are, the MAGAs arent. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Fascists. They arent competent enough- Fascist _wannabes._ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/142 "2024-08-25T05:43:28Z")
Seems like half a story to me. How did the mods react to your complaint? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/143 "2024-08-25T10:50:13Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Yes they are Republicans and conservatives. > > MAGA might be the most overwhelmingly popular conservative movement in Republican history. His approval rating among them is through the roof. It’s true to say that MAGA has hoovered up most of the people who previously called themselves conservative or republican. However that doesn’t mean MAGA itself has those traits and should be categorized that way. The very first thing in most definitions of “conservative” is “promoting and preserving traditional institutions”. MAGA wants to abolish many government departments such as the department of education, defund the FBI, take powers away from medical and environmental agencies so the government can make all major decisions themselves, and I haven’t even got into project 2025. This is not conservatism. In terms of “Republican”, the MAGA movement doesn’t seem to care what happens to the party. Fealty to Trump is the most important thing, and you get promptly primaried or sanctioned if you don’t toe the line, which jeopardizes the party’s chances in purple states. Trump will try to turn his mob even on to very popular republican governors, just because said governors weren’t loyal enough. And look at things like mail-in voting. Encouraging people to vote any way they can, is very important, particularly as many Republican voters are elderly. But, because of Trump’s ego, MAGA has been saying mail-in ballots are rife with fraud and that’s why Trump lost. And, while some are trying to flip the script now, it seems it’s [too late](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/republicans-trump-mail-voting-resistance-rnc-rcna145599) to convince many Trump-supporters. So, we have the party’s interests, and Trump’s interests, and the former was sacrificed for the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/144 "2024-08-25T11:02:12Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > The very first thing in most definitions of “conservative” is “promoting and preserving traditional institutions”. Except that in practice it’s seldom _been_ about that; it’s been about hurting people and breaking things. Like MAGA wants. I’d say they represent the true spirit of conservatism. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/145 "2024-08-25T11:35:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Seems like half a story to me. How did the mods react to your complaint? I thought I told you all. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I was told no, that syllogism doesn’t hold on SD. As long as the poster keeps it general as in: All X are Y, then it is OK since they are not calling **you** specifically (a member of X group) a Y. Oh wait, I did. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/146 "2024-08-25T11:43:01Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > The very first thing in most definitions of “conservative” is “promoting and preserving traditional institutions”. MAGA wants to abolish many government departments such as the department of education, defund the FBI, take powers away from medical and environmental agencies so the government can make all major decisions themselves, and I haven’t even got into project 2025. > This is not conservatism. No, that is conservativism since “promoting and preserving traditional institutions” has nothing to do with “government departments”. Traditional institutions are things like; (hetero-sexual) marriage, (nuclear) families, and (Protestant) Churches. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/147 "2024-08-25T16:31:36Z")
Yes it’s crazy talk to imagine that institutions could refer to institutions of state. It must refer to endorsing one branch of one religion in contradiction of the constitution. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/148 "2024-08-25T17:25:43Z")
Well, that’s exactly what it _does_ mean in real life? “The desire to install a Christo-fascist dictatorship and end democracy” has been what “conservative” has meant _in practice_ since at least Reagan. Somebody who supports present institutions and rights is a “liberal”. Liberals are the traditionalists, conservatives are the radicals. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/149 "2024-08-25T17:43:12Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Liberals are the traditionalists, conservatives are the radicals. Here’s the conservative plan: 1. Make up some mythical story of “how things used to be” that reflects a world you’d like to be in (where you have power and those you dislike suffer). 2. Claim that you’re just trying to erase the changes that have happened since “the good old days” and you want to preserve a lost way of life, and undo the radical and harmful consequences of the changes created by left-wing nuts. 3. Now you are a conservative and a traditionalist! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/150 "2024-08-25T18:44:42Z")
Even if it were so that MAGAt were a contraction of ‘MAGA hat’ that would bear little relevance on whether the word is or is not being used as a homophonic slur _now_. Etymologies don’t usually redeem slurs from out of the context where they are used as slurs. Negro is, after all, just the Spanish word for the colour black. Its OK to use in that context, but is very definitely _not OK_ in other contexts. Explaining the etymology doesnt undo that. I don’t think MAGAt is the world’s most terrible label, but it is a label and it is sort of ‘othering’. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/151 "2024-08-25T19:43:08Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > It’s true to say that MAGA has hoovered up most of the people who previously called themselves conservative or republican. I am not so sure. I think many of them vote trump because after all, he is R. > [@Mijin](#): > > And look at things like mail-in voting. Encouraging people to vote any way they can, is very important, particularly as many Republican voters are elderly. But, because of Trump’s ego, MAGA has been saying mail-in ballots are rife with fraud and that’s why Trump lost. > And, while some are trying to flip the script now, it seems it’s [too late](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/republicans-trump-mail-voting-resistance-rnc-rcna145599) to convince many Trump-supporters. Reagan was a big supporter of mail in voting. > [@Mangetout](#): > > I don’t think MAGAt is the world’s most terrible label, but it is a label and it is sort of ‘othering’. I dont use it, and generally I just call him “trump”. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/152 "2024-08-26T07:40:06Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I don’t think MAGAt is the world’s most terrible label, but it is a label and it is sort of ‘othering’. I should probably make it clear that I don’t particularly think this is something the board should disallow; there are (IMO) worse things than MAGAt that fly under the radar here that I shan’t go into, but I do find this particular situation interesting and I offer this as nothing more than food for thought: Purposely using a derogatory label for a group of people _to whom we consider ourselves superior_ is a behaviour I think I would normally attribute to right-leaning positions. I guess if you want to actually _be_ better people than them, maybe don’t do the exact same thing as them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/153 "2024-08-26T11:44:18Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > What are we supposed to call them? They’re still on the fainting couch from being called a basket of deplorables eight years ago Weirdos. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/154 "2024-08-26T11:52:52Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Purposely using a derogatory label for a group of people _to whom we consider ourselves superior_ is a behaviour I think I would normally attribute to right-leaning positions. The capitalist pigs, imperialist running dogs and neoliberal ghouls beg to differ. Calling people you don’t like nasty names is extremely common. If the Right is distinguished on the matter it’s by their fondness for outright slurs and tendency towards grade-school level insults. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/155 "2024-08-26T12:54:53Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Purposely using a derogatory label for a group of people _to whom we consider ourselves superior_ is a behaviour I think I would normally attribute to right-leaning positions. Naaaah. Plenty of people on the Left do that too. It’s more of a human trait than a Right wing trait. The _things us on the Left look down at people on the Right for are different_, for example we might look down on people who are uneducated, or overly Christian, or rednecks, or whatever, rather than race or being an immigrant. But it’s not like the Left doesn’t engage in the same behaviors. I don’t think that’s necessarily a big problem; looking down at someone for holding odious beliefs that they came to due to a lack of education is not the same as looking down at someone for being a certain skin color. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/156 "2024-08-26T13:14:42Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > looking down at someone for holding odious beliefs that they came to due to a lack of education is not the same as looking down at someone for being a certain skin color. I mean, > [@](#): > > rednecks is very literally about a certain skin color. Your broader point, though, holds: it’s not about a racial category. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/157 "2024-08-26T13:21:55Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > homopho **n** ic slur Thought I’d emphasize that letter as I totally missed it and was about to ask what was anti-gay about it. I like Maggle. Maybe also MAGAL? I’d use a lowercase L, but most of you are using a font that doesn’t distinguish between capital i and lowercase L. And, @Left_Hand_of_Dorkness, I’ve not known redneck to refer to an actual skin color for as long as I’ve been alive in redneck country. That said, I do think it can very well be used as a slur–for poor white folk living in certain areas. It’s just that we’ve reclaimed it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/158 "2024-08-26T13:26:53Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And, @Left_Hand_of_Dorkness, I’ve not known redneck to refer to an actual skin color for as long as I’ve been alive in redneck country It refers to the color of skin on the necks of White agricultural workers, who bend over the crops outside all day. It’s more of a class insult than a race insult, but as I said, it’s literally based on skin color. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/159 "2024-08-26T13:51:21Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I mean, > > > [@](#): > > > > rednecks > > is very literally about a certain skin color. > > Your broader point, though, holds: it’s not about a racial category. Sure, but it’s not about what their natural skin color is, it’s about how their profession (working outside all day) makes them look, and if you look down at people who work outside all day then you can use one as a proxy for the other. As you correctly point out, I used the expression “skin color” as a shorthand for race based insults, and Redneck is more of a class based insults yet still skin color based. And I suppose it is at least a LITTLE racial because a black person living the same lifestyle won’t get called a “redneck”. Anyways, my main point was, I definitely wouldn’t say that people on the Left don’t engage in this behavior. “There are no bad tactics, only bad targets” is by this point a statement I have heard both sides make (and the sentiment definitely predates anyone using the phrase) but I think it originated on the Left. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/160 "2024-08-26T13:53:14Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Thought I’d emphasize that letter as I totally missed it and was about to ask what was anti-gay about it. > > I like Maggle. Maybe also MAGAL? I’d use a lowercase L, but most of you are using a font that doesn’t distinguish between capital i and lowercase L. Why not “Trumpers”? Trump is MAGA and MAGA is Trump. Maybe someday Trump will be gone and the MAGA movement will still be there, but we can cross that bridge if and when we come to it, since it’s also possible that the name will change when Trump goes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060.md?page=9)