In recent times, there has been a rise in the MAGA movement associated with Donald Trump, and Chicagoland has played a role in seeding this change. Nick Fuentes, a prominent figure in this movement, gained attention during the 2020 election. Despite hailing from a blue area like Chicago, Fuentes represents a seed of the MAGA movement in the region.
The architecture and civic planning of Chicago’s western suburbs, where Fuentes and other influencers like Charlie Kirk and Tim Pool originate, reflect a bygone era of affluence and community. These young men have not witnessed the construction of a positive myth in their lifetime, leading them to mourn outdated values and ideals.
Charlie Kirk, from Prospect Heights, embodies a more strategic approach to propagating right-wing ideologies, while Tim Pool, with a background near Midway Airport, has shifted his activism into Republican talking points for financial gain. Both individuals capitalize on dissatisfaction and yearning in their communities to build a broadcasted ideology.
Chicagoland, like many other parts of the country, has experienced the decline of manufacturing and forgotten glories, leading to visible decay and a lack of hope for renewal. Trump’s appeal lies in acknowledging these losses and promising chaos as a solution to societal nihilism.
Instead of addressing deep-rooted fractures and inequalities, the U.S. has embraced leaders like Trump, Fuentes, Kirk, and Pool, who capitalize on division and nostalgia for a better past. These figures lack a vision for the future and instead recycle past grievances into a marketable ideology.
In a political landscape where the past is not yet fully reconciled, Chicago’s story serves as a microcosm of the national narrative—full of thriving dreams, failed promises, and inadequate recoveries. The rise of the MAGA movement in Chicagoland reflects a broader trend of grappling with historical wounds and seeking solace in divisive rhetoric.
