The Emotional Ritual of Far-Right Support

The far-right support, particularly for MAGA, is driven by an emotional ritual that unfolds in five distinct moments. Initially, a transgressive statement is made by a charismatic leader like Donald Trump, which prompts a backlash of shaming from pundits and liberal critics. This shaming is primarily perceived by those on the left, creating a dichotomy of transgression and punishment. In the third moment, Trump positions himself as a victim of this media shaming, portraying both his pain and the pain of his followers, tapping into a sense of shared suffering. The fourth moment marks a significant shift as Trump aggressively retaliates against his critics, rejecting the victim label and vowing to punish those who shame him. This culminates in a combative stand against the perceived threats from the media and political establishment, illustrating a complex interplay of victimhood and aggression that resonates with supporters.