Ex-Republican’s family 'fled' Italy to escape Mussolini — and she finds Trump 'hauntingly familiar'

One need only watch MSNBC or read The Bulwark to be reminded that some people on the right are scathing critics of President Donald Trump and the far-right MAGA Movement.

Although MSNBC leans liberal, three of its hosts were prominent figures in the Republican Party: ex-Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-Florida), former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele, and former White House Communications Director Nicolle Wallace. And MSNBC's guests often include well-known Never Trump conservatives, from attorney George Conway to journalist Charlie Sykes to ex-GOP strategists Tim Miller and Rick Wilson.

Meanwhile, The Bulwark specializes in anti-Trump voices on the right, including Bill Kristol and former Nancy Reagan speechwriter Mona Charen.

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A recurring theme among Never Trumpers is that 2025's Trumpified GOP is unrecognizable from the GOP of President Ronald Reagan and Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Arizona). And journalist/author Paolina Milana details her reasons for leaving the Republican Party in an op-ed published by The Guardian on June 1.

"I'm writing this not as a Democrat or an independent, but as someone who, for most of her life, was a proud Republican," Milana explains. "I voted for Ronald Reagan and admired his belief that 'character counts.' I believed in personal responsibility, faith and country — and the Republican Party seemed to reflect those values. I even rooted for George W. Bush during the chaotic 'hanging chads' recount in 2000, not because I thought he was perfect, but because I believed he would lead with decency and conviction. And for years, I found deep comfort in witnessing moments of unity between former and current presidents — particularly the warm, genuine respect between George W. Bush and the Obamas."

Milana continues, "Different parties. Different ideologies. But a shared belief in democracy. In service. In 'we the people.' That spirit is gone now. My allegiance to the Republican Party ended when a conman made it into office — and worse, when the party I once revered stood by and let it happen."

Milana, who is Italian-American, describes herself as "the daughter of immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini's fascist regime" — and she views MAGA as authoritarian rather than traditionally conservative.

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"My family knew firsthand how democracies fall — not in an instant, but in small, complicit steps," Milana warns. "What I’m witnessing in the U.S. today is hauntingly familiar. I now live in Los Angeles, watching more terror being wielded by a king wannabe — a man who labels disagreement 'fake," who calls critics 'un-American,' and who seeks not to govern, but to dominate. And far too many continue to enable him…. Even now — especially now — I still believe America can be saved. But not if we keep pretending this is normal."

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Paolina Milana's full op-ed for The Guardian is available at this link.