Some More News: The Next Generation of MAGA Influencers

May 28, 2025

Explore the rise of new MAGA influencers like The Nelk Boys, blending comedy with right-wing messaging. Discover how these figures shape political discourse and connect with younger audiences through engaging tactics. The discussion also critiques xenophobic nationalism and the consequences of merging politics with entertainment. Dive into the ethical concerns surrounding influencer financing and the potential impact of a TikTok ban on social media interactions, all while navigating the saturated landscape of misinformation.

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INSIGHT

Influencers as Propaganda Vessels

Influencers are the new journalists but lack standards and are effective vessels for propaganda.
Their parasocial relationships make people more susceptible to misinformation repeated often enough.

ANECDOTE

Nelk Boys Pranks Favor Trump

The Nelk Boys prank both Trump and Harris supporters with skewed tactics favoring Trump's base.
Their videos serve more as campaign promotion than genuine pranks, showing clear partisan bias.

INSIGHT

MAGA Influencers Radialize Strategically

Many emerging MAGA influencers started with mainstream views before radicalizing towards far-right ideas.
Influencers like Xavier de Rousseau blend youthful appeal with conservative messaging, filling sought-after demographic roles.

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The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.

1984

None

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

Ulysses

James Joyce

Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape[2][3][5].