The Great Battlefield

Author of Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right, Laura Field

Nov 3, 2025
Laura Field, a political theorist and author specializing in far-right populism, dives into the complexities of the MAGA New Right. She discusses the influential conservative intellectuals who support Trumpism and outlines the movement's four pillars: economic nationalism, secure borders, America First, and social conservatism. Field also explores the rise of fringe ideas in shaping policy, the role of tech billionaires, and the challenges facing liberalism today. With a mix of caution and optimism, she highlights the need for progressive engagement in public discourse.
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INSIGHT

Intellectuals Powering Trumpism

  • Laura Field argues smart, credentialed intellectuals actively shaped and defended Trumpism, so it shouldn't be dismissed as purely anti-intellectual.
  • Underestimating this organized intellectual movement risks ignoring the ideas now influencing policy and power.
INSIGHT

Networked Clusters Driving The New Right

  • The MAGA New Right is a networked movement with multiple clusters combining theory and activism to influence policy and organizing.
  • Key figures include Yoram Hazony, Gladden Pappin, Christopher Rufo, John Eastman, and Adrian Vermeule.
INSIGHT

Label Carefully But Note Anti-Liberalism

  • Field prefers 'far-right populism' or 'authoritarian' over broad 'fascist' labels, warning that labels can close debate.
  • She stresses the movement is anti-liberal and anti-democratic in practice even if terminology varies.
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