An ever-​growing number of loyal MAGA influencers are now turning on Trump

Scathing criticism of President Donald Trump from the right is not a new phenomenon.

An army of Never Trump conservatives are prominently featured on liberal-leaning MS NOW and the website The Bulwark, and The Lincoln Project and Republican Accountability (RA) are well-known conservative anti-Trump groups. The Washington Post's most famous conservative columnist, George Will, is an ex-Republican and an outspoken Never Trumper.

But in an article published by The Root on April 21, journalist Phenix S. Halley examines a more recent development: a growing number of MAGA Republicans expressing their disappointment with Trump.

"It took only months for many loyal allies to completely turn their backs on their leader, President Donald Trump," Halley argues. "Now over a year in Trump's second term, and the criticism only seems to be getting louder from within. Between the administration's handling of the Epstein files, immigration and even his thunderstorm of executive orders and war in Iran, Trump is catching it from everywhere."

Prominent MAGA influencers who are now attacking Trump, Halley notes, include Infowars' Alex Jones, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, podcasters Candace Owens and Andrew Schulz, and former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia).

Owens told conservative British host Piers Morgan, "He's been a chronic disappointment. I feel embarrassed that I told people to go vote for him because this wasn't going to happen, and it is happening…. This is not the candidate that I voted for."

When podcaster Joe Rogan supported Trump in 2024, he was more Trump-curious than full MAGA. But now, he is highly critical of Trump's immigration policies. Rogan recently told listeners, "You got to get scared that people who are not criminals are getting like lassoed up and deported and sent to El Salvador prisons…. It's insane."

Halley observes, "According to recent polls, the president’s overall approval rating has been steadily dropping. And it doesn't help that much of the criticism is coming from his own party. Notable folks like podcaster Joe Rogan and former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are sounding the alarm."