MAGA Loses Culture War as Trump Supporters Reject Popular Culture

Newsweek Editorial Board says far-right continues to lose ground as they battle against mainstream entertainment and events

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny and the alternative 'Turning Point USA' event perfectly exemplified how the MAGA movement is losing the culture war, according to a Newsweek editorial. The far-right continues to reject and battle against popular culture, with President Trump's supporters facing criticism and low viewership for their own counter-programming efforts.

Why it matters

The culture war is a key battleground for political and social influence, and the MAGA movement's inability to connect with mainstream entertainment and events signals a broader loss of cultural power. As they self-isolate and marginalize themselves, the far-right is ceding ground to more progressive and inclusive cultural forces.

The details

The Newsweek editorial board noted several examples of MAGA leaders and supporters facing backlash and low engagement for their attempts to counter popular culture. This includes Vice President JD Vance being booed at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, kids on Roblox staging virtual anti-ICE marches, and the 'Turning Point USA' event only drawing about 4% of the viewership of the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show.

  • The Newsweek editorial was published on February 9, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president, whose supporters in the MAGA movement have continued to reject and battle against mainstream popular culture.

JD Vance

The current Vice President, who was booed at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony for his MAGA-aligned policies.

Bad Bunny

The Puerto Rican rapper and singer who performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, drawing over 134 million viewers and enraging MAGA supporters.

Kid Rock

The musician who held an alternative 'Turning Point USA' event during the Super Bowl, but only drew about 4% of the viewership of the Bad Bunny halftime show.

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What they’re saying

“Vice President JD Vance was booed at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, kids on Roblox staged virtual anti-ICE marches and Portland's inflatable-costumed Frog Brigade leaned into 'tactical frivolity' to lampoon militarized enforcement.”

— Newsweek Editorial Board (Newsweek)

“The MAGA crowd is trying to create counter-programming options for the pro-Trump crowd. But it isn't working. Not only are they self-isolating, but they're marginalizing themselves from the larger population.”

— Newsweek Editorial Board (Newsweek)

The takeaway

The MAGA movement's inability to connect with and influence mainstream popular culture signals a broader loss of cultural power, as they increasingly self-isolate and marginalize themselves from the larger population. This highlights the importance of cultural influence in the ongoing political and social battles in the United States.