Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, took a humorous and unexpected approach to political messaging by releasing a parody video on X (formerly Twitter) about supporters of President Trump. The video, titled “The MAGA People,” is styled as a nature documentary, complete with a British narrator who sounds straight out of a wildlife program, offering a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the “often misunderstood” MAGA crowd.
The video opens with the narrator setting the stage for the journey: “Across the Atlantic, in the North American country of the United States lays a fascinating and often misunderstood collective.” From the bustling cities of the Northeast to the small towns of the Midwest, the video presents Trump’s supporters as a diverse and patriotic group. The narrator hints at the media’s portrayal of these individuals as “vicious, radical, and even deplorable,” a not-so-subtle jab at how MAGA supporters are often depicted in the mainstream press.
However, the tone of the video quickly shifts, as the narrator suggests the reality on the ground is far different: “Contrary to what we had been told, we found the MAGA people to be warm, loving, and even rather cheeky at times.” The video playfully reframes the MAGA slogan, “Make America Great Again,” as an optimistic belief in restoring America to its founding principles of government accountability and citizen freedom.
What could have easily been an attack on Trump supporters turns into a parody that actually paints them in a positive light, albeit in a quirky, British nature-doc style. The narrator points out the “wholesome familial demeanor” of Trump supporters, noting their love for family, truth, and basic human rights. While often portrayed as confrontational, the MAGA crowd is shown as passionate about border security, but also advocating for peace and the end of foreign wars.
Shanahan’s parody highlights the everyday diversity of the MAGA movement, observing that it includes “farmers and ranchers, family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, health advocates, blue-collar workers, and military servicemen.” The video wraps up with a reflection on how the filmmakers’ perspective changed after meeting Trump’s supporters, ending with a somewhat whimsical hope that such a movement might inspire others.
In an era where political satire often divides, Shanahan’s parody video offers a lighter, more approachable take on the MAGA phenomenon, using humor to challenge stereotypes and humanize a group that is frequently demonized by critics.
Who really are the MAGA People? pic.twitter.com/Zk6rvijCge
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) September 13, 2024