Understanding what MAGA means as a political movement that has reshaped American society

By Jesse Rhodes, Associate Professor of Political Science, UMass Amherst ; Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate, Political Science, UMass Amherst ; Douglas Rice, Associate Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies, UMass Amherst ; Gregory Wall, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, UMass Amherst ; and Tatishe Nteta, Provost Professor of Political Science and Director of the UMass Amherst Poll, UMass Amherst

A decade ago, Donald Trump descended the golden escalator at Trump Tower in New York City and ignited a political movement that has reshaped American politics.

In a memorable turn of phrase, Trump promised supporters of his 2016 presidential campaign that “we are going to make our country great again.”

Since then, the Make America Great Again movement has dominated the U.S. pol