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Who You Calling Brainwashed, Part 2
The myth that Trump supporters have been “led” astray
In a Medium post a few days ago, I put forth the proposition that MAGA Republicans, contrary to the explanation I often hear or see on social media, aren’t “brainwashed” by Fox News or any other right-wing media. Rather, they seek out such “sources” because they already believe a lot of the fabrications and falsifications those outlets disseminate and just enjoy having their perceptions reinforced.
For further evidence, allow me to share some memes and ideas I encountered on the Facebook page of a guy whom I will call, since his real name is similarly normal, Rodney Hartman.
Rodney hails from the same place as I — Laurel, Mississippi, the “star” of HGTV’s popular series Home Town — and we both went to the University of Southern Mississippi. I don’t remember him from school. Our paths only recently crossed. He read and liked my 2023 book, As I Die Laughing, and sent me a Facebook friend request, which I accepted.
Turns out, apart from having fond memories of our free-range youth, Rodney and I couldn’t be much different. When I looked at his Facebook page, I saw that, along with photos of his dogs and his collection of antique tools, he mostly shares memes attacking liberals for the being the pestilence he apparently believes we are.
