MAGA Madness
The Opposite of Trump Derangement Syndrome
Published: March 5, 2026 •
2 min read
“Trump Derangement Syndrome” is a phrase used to dismiss critics of Donald Trump as irrational or overly emotional. Some people use it to describe what they see as exaggerated hostility toward Trump. Others see it as a way to shut down legitimate criticism by implying the critic is mentally unbalanced.
Ironically, this term was developed and used by a group of people that have become more of a cult than a political movement. So what about "MAGA Madness"?
Putting aside all the merchandising—from shirts, flags, and hats to super expensive watches and NFT collector cards—and ignoring the fact that people follow Trump around the country to attend his public engagements, let's take a look at the often obsessive commitment to MAGA and Trump.
One clear example unfolded during the 2020 election cycle on a stretch of Interstate 35 in Texas. A convoy of 100 pro‑Trump vehicles, flying flags and honking, surrounded a campaign bus carrying staffers for then‑candidate Joe Biden. The caravan didn’t merely tail the bus — it boxed it in, slowed it dramatically, and, according to campaign staff, even tried to run it off the road. Multiple Biden aides called 911 amid what they described as a harassment ambush; the incident was serious enough that federal authorities investigated. Former President Trump later praised the convoy as “patriots” and insisted supporters had done “nothing wrong.”
Then of course, there is the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. It showed how some fervent supporters, fueled by conspiracy narratives, were willing to use force to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power, breaching the heart of American democracy. Protesters breached police barriers, smashed windows, entered the building, and disrupted the certification for several hours. Lawmakers and staff were evacuated or sheltered in place while the Capitol was cleared. It left multiple people dead, caused injuries to police and others, and became one of the most significant assaults on the U.S. democratic process in modern history.
So where does the true "derangement" lie? Is it with people who angrily oppose Trump for his policies, or with people willing to go immediately, and happily, to obsessive violence in support of Trump? Trump Derangement Syndrome isn't a threat to anyone. MAGA Madness is a threat to everyone.
