MAGA Supporters: Less Defensive, More Open About Their Views

Jordan Klepper, a comedian known for his interactions with President Donald Trump's supporters, has observed a notable shift in their behavior since Trump's first term. He mentioned that the MAGA base has become less defensive about their views, especially after Trump's inauguration in his second term. In the past, Klepper noted that Trump supporters would often get defensive when questioned about certain policies or actions taken by the Trump administration. However, he has seen a change in this behavior. Now, they are more open and even proud of their support for Trump's aggressive actions, such as mass deportations, deploying troops to cities, and strikes on alleged drug smugglers.Klepper also pointed out that the political climate has changed significantly since he joined "The Daily Show" in 2014. Before Trump's era, the show had more time to craft their stories and decide on their material. But now, they are constantly playing catch-up to keep up with the fast-paced news cycle. Despite the challenges, Klepper feels that it's an important time to comment on the news, as it has become a bigger part of culture and people's lives. He has attended many Trump rallies and covered events like the January 6th Capitol riots, always trying to understand the beliefs and motivations of Trump supporters. While Klepper was surprised by the lack of defensiveness from Trump supporters, he was also heartened to see pushback against Trump's policies. He mentioned a protest he covered in Portland, Oregon, where people rode bikes naked to protest Trump's immigration policies. This protest showed a different kind of resistance that Klepper hadn't seen before.