In the face of President Donald Trump and MAGA, many of the most recognizable members of the Republican Party are rethinking their loyalty and breakup from the party, which is dominating the news cycle—except nobody is actually buying the drama. Why? History has shown us this movie before, and it always ends the same way.
Recently, former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson declared they are effectively done supporting the Republican Party, accusing GOP leaders of betraying voters and abandoning “America First” principles.
“I have been a consistent defender for 35 years of the Republican Party, a very consistent defender, but there is no defending this,” Carlson said during a recent interview. “Because it’s immoral and it’s exactly the opposite of what a political party in a democracy is charged with doing.”
Greene backed Carlson’s stance on X saying, “Tucker is not the only one who is done supporting the Republican Party. There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and will not support a party that betrays its voters and country.”
The declarations generated headlines. The question is whether they will generate consequences. History suggests skepticism is warranted. And many Americans online are mixed on the motives behind their defection in the first place.
“Really, he’s just reading the writing on the wall,” TikToker @lowlyfeleo said of Carlson’s defection from MAGA. “Trump-styled politics aren’t going to be around much longer.”
We previously told you that Carlson, although he was key to Trump’s second-term win, has made his criticism of the Republican leader loud and clear. His break can be traced back to disagreements over foreign policy, particularly U.S. support for Israel and involvement in the conflict with Iran.
Similarly, Greene resigned from the House of Representatives, citing disagreements with the president over healthcare and the Epstein files. They both join a growing list of MAGA loyalists experiencing buyer’s remorse. But believe it or not, American politicians routinely announce dramatic breaks with their parties. Most eventually return, however.
“Tucker Carlson is going to be right back with the Republicans as soon as there is another election,” political strategist and television personality Alyssa Farah told “The View” co-hosts. “He’s gonna appear on stage. He’s gonna follow the money,” she added.
Political parties are typically not social clubs that members jump in or leave behind. They are power vehicles. Outside the Republican and Democratic parties, there are few pathways to influence national elections, shape legislation or build durable political movements.
That reality is especially true for Greene and Carlson, the latter of whom was once a registered Democrat, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The podcaster grew his platform on the back of his support and criticism of Trump.
So what’s their alternative?
Neither has signaled any intention of joining the Democrats. Neither has unveiled a viable third-party alternative. And both continue to appeal primarily to voters who overwhelmingly identify with the Republican coalition.
In other words, they may be done with the Republican Party, but the Republican Party’s voters remain their audience.
“Excuse me if I don’t buy this,” @JordanUhl tweeted of Carlson leaving the GOP. As of now, neither Greene nor Carlson has made any plans to join Democratic forces against Trump or lead their own defection as Tesla CEO Elon Musk did with his American Party.
Many Republican civil wars ended the same way: participants eventually chose between opposing Donald Trump or remaining relevant within conservative politics. Political parties rarely fracture because a few prominent figures leave. They fracture when voters leave. So far, there is little evidence that Republican voters are abandoning the GOP because Carlson and Greene have.
