One Group, Clearly, Is Deranged

Paul Krugman:

YouGov’s surveys subdivide Republicans into those who do and those who don’t support MAGA — and the economic views of these two groups are very different. A remarkable 65 percent of non-MAGA Republicans say that the economy is getting worse, while only 11 percent say that it is getting better. [...]

Aside from MAGA Republicans, Americans are bunched at the upper left, with few people seeing the economy getting better and the vast majority seeing it as getting worse. Non-MAGA Republicans are much more similar in their views to independents, and even to Democrats, than they are to MAGA.

So how big is the group that believes that we have a good economy? Only 19 percent of Americans.

The MAGA/non-MAGA split amongst self-identifying Republicans is striking. Non-MAGA Republicans have views on the economy that almost exactly mirror those of independents — neither of which are that far from those of Democrats.

And let’s face it, “MAGA” is a euphemism for the Donald Trump cult of personality. These are the people who think it’s fine, just fine for him to be putting his name on buildings, his signature (and perhaps face) on currency, putting his face on “special” edition US passports, erecting gold statues of himself, holding a UFC fight on the White House lawn to celebrate his birthday — not to mention the not-even-trying-to-hide-it-or-excuse-it abject corruption.

It’s rather depressing that 20 percent of the US population is in this cult. But I choose to be edified by the fact that it’s only 20 percent. That’s not that much higher than the 13 percent who believe “Bigfoot / Sasquatch is a real, living creature”. This whole thing is a political boil that is starting to burst. Rats leave sinking ships.

★ Friday, 29 May 2026