Far-Right Influencers Turn on Trump’s Campaign

According to the Washington Post, in an article by Drew Harwell published on August 18, 2024, prominent far-right influencers, once staunch supporters of Donald Trump, are now turning against his presidential campaign, threatening to wage a digital “war” against the former president’s aides and allies. While their criticism stops short of attacking Trump directly, their growing discontent challenges the Republican candidate’s push for unity as the November election approaches.

Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist podcaster who dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 2022, voiced his frustration on X, claiming that Trump’s campaign was “blowing it” by not adopting more extreme right-wing positions. He warned that the campaign was “headed for a catastrophic loss,” a post quickly gaining significant online attention.

Laura Loomer, a far-right activist once praised by Trump as “very special,” echoed similar sentiments. She criticized Trump’s campaign surrogates for weakening his momentum. She urged a swift change in strategy, arguing that the focus on the 2020 election should not dominate another four years of discourse.

Candace Owens, another influential far-right figure with millions of followers on X, described the situation as a “MAGA Civil War” during a recent podcast. She expressed concern that Trump’s campaign had softened its stance to appeal to mainstream voters, alienating the core supporters who had once fueled his rise.

These insider attacks come at a precarious time for Trump’s campaign, which is already grappling with a decline in poll numbers. The far-right activists argue that the campaign’s failure to take more problematic stances on issues like race and immigration has led to a lackluster strategy. They have also called for removing the campaign’s co-managers, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, whom they blame for their perceived failures.

Despite their criticism, many of these far-right influencers continue to support Trump himself. However, they have vowed to intensify their online attacks and disrupt Trump rallies unless the campaign shifts direction, creating a significant challenge for campaign officials who have tried to distance themselves from extremist voices.

Trump’s recent decision to rehire his 2016 campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was met with mixed reactions among the far-right. While Fuentes celebrated the move as a victory, Loomer dismissed his influence, mocking his claims of responsibility for Lewandowski’s return.

Some campaign officials have acknowledged that far-right influencers have been valuable in amplifying political messages to their large audiences. However, according to sources familiar with the campaign’s operations, the more aggressive tactics and overt attacks from figures like Fuentes have become disruptive.

In response to the growing criticism, Trump’s campaign pointed to a recent Truth Social post where Trump asserted that he was “leading in almost all of the REAL polls” and praised his team’s efforts.

While Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, dismissed Fuentes as a “total loser” during a recent TV appearance, the internal rift has agitated some of Trump’s most dedicated online supporters. Brenden Dilley, a pro-Trump podcaster, questioned whether the recent attacks were part of a more extensive psychological operation designed to undermine the campaign.

Experts warn that the discontent among far-right influencers could significantly affect Trump’s campaign. Colin Henry, a researcher at George Washington University, noted that these influencers have grown increasingly frustrated with Trump’s poll performance and the campaign’s reluctance to embrace more extreme policy proposals.

Ben Lorber, a senior researcher at Political Research Associates, emphasized the potential impact of these far-right voices on the broader conservative movement, suggesting that their influence could push Trump’s campaign further to the right.

The internal conflict within Trump’s base has also manifested on social media platforms like X and Truth Social, where far-right followers have rallied behind hashtags demanding changes in the campaign. Fuentes has even encouraged his followers to escalate their efforts by attending Trump rallies in crucial battleground states and withholding their votes unless the campaign meets their demands.

While Fuentes’s influence may have waned since Trump’s presidency, he still commands a dedicated following among young conservatives. His push for more extreme positions could pressure the campaign to adopt more problematic stances, further complicating Trump’s efforts to maintain a broad coalition of supporters.

As the campaign enters its final weeks, the tensions within Trump’s base highlight the delicate balance the former president must strike between appealing to his far-right supporters and maintaining mainstream appeal. The outcome of this internal struggle could play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of Trump’s campaign.