[Reporter’s Notebook] One Year into Trump’s Second Term: Is MAGA Still United?

Rising Divisions Within America First Movement
All Eyes on the Outcome of November Midterm Elections

"Within MAGA, there is growing discontent, with some asking, 'Why should we take on the world's problems again?'"

Andrew Yeo, the Korea Chair at the Brookings Institution, a U.S. think tank, made this remark in an interview with The Asia Business Daily marking the first anniversary of Donald Trump's second term. He cited former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene as a representative case of MAGA division. Although Greene was a staunch supporter, she decided not to run for re-election, believing that President Trump had deviated from MAGA's core principles.

According to assessments from U.S. foreign media and experts, cracks within MAGA are spreading. It is increasingly difficult to see the group as speaking with a single voice. This internal division is also reflected in declining approval ratings, as shown in recent polls.

The root cause of these divisions lies in differing interpretations of "America First." Fundamentally, MAGA supporters oppose overseas military intervention from an America First perspective. This stance is reinforced by the fact that the U.S. faces numerous domestic challenges, including reviving manufacturing, creating jobs, and stabilizing prices.

In contrast, President Trump has involved the U.S. in conflicts around the world, from Gaza to Russia and Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela. Despite opposition from MAGA, his focus on international engagement is seen as driven, at least in part, by his desire to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

With the so-called "midterm evaluation"-the November midterm elections-approaching, these divisions could lead to even greater turmoil. This midterm election is not just a contest over the number of seats. It is a pivotal battle, as President Trump's legal risks-stemming from his use of the Department of Justice and the FBI to target political opponents-could resurface during his term. If the Republican Party loses, it could even face impeachment by the opposition.

The Democratic Party has already won the New York mayoral and Virginia gubernatorial races, which are considered precursors to the midterms. The Washington Post analyzed that focusing on "kitchen table issues" such as educational funding, easing housing costs, and ensuring access to healthcare was a key factor in these victories.

President Trump should focus not on Greenland, Iran, or Venezuela, but on America itself. His recent moves, which have shaken even his core base-the driving force behind a "strong administration"-are highly disadvantageous for him. The conclusion that attention should be paid to "meals and livelihoods" rather than political ideology or personal interests applies not only to the United States but also to South Korea.

I still vividly remember the faces of MAGA supporters I met four months ago, during my reporting trip to the U.S. In an old community center in a small town near Georgia, they told me that President Trump was "the only person who could bring change to their lives and American society." Are they still holding on to a single answer? Their choices in November will be closely watched.