Thump, Thump, Denial: Why MAGA Fears Science (and What It Costs Us).

MAGA’s war on science isn’t just ignorance—it’s a calculated power play. From public health crises to climate denial and education cuts, rejecting science helps the elite maintain control. But the cost? Our future.

The complicated, emotional, and sometimes deeply personal reasons why parts of the MAGA movement resist, fear, or outright despise science. Drawing examples from politics, public health, newsroom anecdotes, and cultural divides, it explores how science challenges privilege and upends old certainties. With a bit of sarcasm, real stories, and heartfelt opinions, the piece takes you through fractured faith, education funding battles, and the stubborn, thumping denial that blocks progress.

Confession time: I once flunked a physics test so badly my teacher suggested I try interpretive dance instead. But despite my early stumbles, I’ve always been captivated by the messiness, brilliance, and humbling honesty of science. Lately, though, I can’t help noticing that plenty of fellow Americans – especially in MAGA hats – would rather bang their heads against the proverbial windowpane than engage with scientific reality. Why does a whole movement hate science so much? Thump, thump – let’s peek behind the curtain and see what (and who) is smashing against the glass.

Privilege, Power, and the Fear of Leveling: Why the Elite Loathe Science

Let’s be real: scientific advancements don’t play favorites. They don’t care if you’re a billionaire with a private island or someone just trying to make rent. And that, right there, is exactly why the billionaire class and their political enablers have a bone to pick with science. When you look at the current push behind Project 2025—the conservative movement’s ambitious plan to reshape government, media, and technology policies under a potential second Trump administration—you start to see a pattern. The goal? To cement privilege and keep power in the hands of a select few, all while pretending it’s about “freedom.”

Here’s the thing: science is the ultimate equalizer. It doesn’t care about your last name, your net worth, or how many yachts you own. Scientific advancements—whether it’s vaccines, clean energy, or access to information—have this annoying habit (for the rich, anyway) of leveling the playing field. That’s why so many right-wing elites get twitchy when science enters the chat. They know that when knowledge spreads, the old hierarchies start to crumble.

Project 2025 is a perfect example of this fear in action. The plan calls for sweeping changes to media and technology policies, aiming to control the flow of information and keep the public in the dark about, well, pretty much everything that matters. Research shows that these efforts are designed to protect elite privilege and keep the rest of us scrambling for scraps. It’s not just about politics—it’s about maintaining a system where the “worthy” (read: wealthy) stay on top, and everyone else stays in their place.

This isn’t a new idea. Thomas Jefferson, of all people, saw it coming. In his final message to America, he wrote:

“The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them.”

That quote still hits hard. Science, at its core, exposes the myth that some people are born to rule and others are born to serve. And if you’re someone who benefits from that myth—if your whole identity is wrapped up in being “better” than everyone else—then yeah, you’re going to hate science. You’ll do whatever it takes to undermine it, whether that means defunding research, spreading conspiracy theories, or rewriting the rules of who gets to speak and who gets silenced.

Honestly, I still remember watching a billionaire’s TED talk about “disrupting education” and wanting to throw my laptop across the room. The whole thing was just a thinly veiled pitch for keeping the status quo, dressed up in buzzwords and faux concern for “the masses.” It’s exhausting. And it’s exactly why we need to keep calling out these power plays—especially as Project 2025 and the Trump administration double down on policies that widen social inequality and attack scientific advancements at every turn.

Science vs. Faith: The Personal Battles Nobody Talks About

Let’s be real: the clash between science and religion isn’t just some abstract debate you see on cable news. It’s way more personal than that. If you’ve ever found yourself at a family reunion, nervously poking at your potato salad while Uncle Bob insists the Earth is 6,000 years old, you know exactly what I mean. That awkward silence? That’s the sound of scientific inquiry colliding with deeply held religious beliefs. And yeah, it’s uncomfortable.

For a lot of MAGA followers, this isn’t just about facts or evidence. It’s about identity, tradition, and the stories you grew up with. When scientific findings—like climate change, evolution, or even the age of the Earth—don’t jibe with your religious beliefs, it’s not just a disagreement. It feels like a threat to who you are. As one observer put it:

“If you believe the Earth is 6,000 years old and were never taught how to distinguish between faith and knowledge, you’re naturally going to have a testy relationship with science.”

This isn’t just a dinner table issue, either. The “science and religion” conflict plays out everywhere—from school board meetings to national policy debates. Take anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, for example. Fueled by faith-based skepticism, these beliefs have real-world consequences. Measles outbreaks, once almost eradicated, have now spread to 34 states in the U.S. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a public health crisis sparked by the refusal to trust scientific evidence.

And here’s the thing: science doesn’t care about your politics, your religion, or your traditions. Scientific inquiry is all about asking questions, following the evidence, and being open to new ideas. To some, that openness looks “woke” or even dangerous—especially if your worldview is built on literal interpretations of religious texts. MAGA identity often hinges on these anti-woke, faith-driven narratives that resist change, even when the facts are staring us in the face.

Historically, this friction isn’t new. Scientists who challenged religious dogma didn’t just get side-eye at Thanksgiving—they risked imprisonment or worse. Think Galileo, who was basically put on house arrest for saying the Earth revolves around the sun. That’s the level of discomfort we’re talking about when science and religion butt heads.

But for many MAGA supporters, the resistance to science goes deeper than just faith. It’s about not wanting to face uncomfortable truths—about disease, environmental destruction, or women’s reproductive health. Scientific findings often force us to confront things we’d rather ignore. And when your whole identity is wrapped up in a particular set of beliefs, that confrontation can feel like an attack.

So next time you’re at that family gathering and the age of the Earth comes up, remember: this isn’t just about facts versus faith. It’s about the personal, messy, and very human struggle to reconcile what we believe with what we know. And sometimes, that struggle plays out in ways that affect all of us—especially when it comes to public health policies and the spread of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

The Toll on Public Health: From Vaccines to Reproductive Rights

Let’s be real: public health in America has taken a beating lately, and a lot of it comes down to a deep-rooted fear of science that’s been supercharged by MAGA-aligned policies. If you’ve watched the news, you’ve seen how anti-vaccine conspiracy theories aren’t just fringe internet chatter anymore—they’re driving real outbreaks. Measles, which we pretty much had under control, is now spreading across 34 states. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a direct hit to our collective well-being, all because some folks would rather trust Facebook memes than decades of medical research.

And it’s not just vaccines. Women’s reproductive health is right in the crosshairs of these new policy proposals. Project 2025, for example, is a conservative policy blueprint that doesn’t just threaten abortion access—it’s coming for contraceptive coverage, too. The plan? Roll back FDA approval of abortion pills like mifepristone and misoprostol, and even eliminate insurance coverage for emergency contraception such as Ella. As the proposal puts it:

Project 2025 proposes reversing FDA approval of abortion pills like mifepristone and misoprostol and eliminating insurance coverage for emergency contraception such as Ella.

That’s not just political posturing. If you or someone you love relies on these medications, this is a direct threat. Planned Parenthood and similar programs are also on the chopping block, which means fewer options for basic reproductive health care. Research shows that defunding public health services doesn’t just hurt individuals—it has long-term economic and social consequences for everyone.

Let’s talk about the COVID-19 response. Remember those early days? The confusion, the fear, the way every bit of health advice suddenly became a political statement? Watching trusted medical experts get shouted down or ignored was surreal. The pandemic made it painfully clear how anti-science rhetoric can literally cost lives. People refused vaccines, masks became a culture war battleground, and the virus spread faster than it should have. Studies indicate that anti-vaccine conspiracy theories are now driving new waves of contagious disease, not just with COVID-19 but with other preventable illnesses, too.

It’s wild to think that in 2024, basic public health measures are up for debate. But here we are, with reproductive health policies and vaccine uptake both under attack. The MAGA worldview seems to treat science as an enemy—something to be feared, denied, or twisted to fit an agenda. If you’ve ever felt that thump of anxiety watching public health advice get politicized, you’re not alone. It’s exhausting, honestly.

At the end of the day, these attacks on science and public health don’t just affect “other people.” They hit all of us, whether it’s through lost access to abortion, the return of diseases we thought we’d beaten, or the slow erosion of trust in the very systems meant to keep us safe. And that’s a cost we’re all paying, whether we realize it or not.

Climate Change Denial: Why Suffering Isn’t Enough

Let’s be real—if you’ve ever watched a news segment about wildfires raging across the West, or seen footage of flooded streets swallowing up entire neighborhoods, you’ve probably wondered: how can anyone still call climate change a “hoax”? Yet, here we are. Climate change denial is alive and well, especially among MAGA-aligned politicians and their supporters. Extreme weather, wildfires, and floods? Just more “fake news,” apparently.

Despite mounting evidence, the Trump administration and its allies have made a sport out of defunding climate research. Agencies like NOAA and FEMA, which are supposed to help us understand and respond to environmental disasters, have seen their budgets slashed. Al Gore once called global warming an “inconvenient truth,” but Trump doubled down, branding it a “hoax” and doing everything possible to block scientific progress. It’s not just about ignoring the science—it’s about actively making sure less of it gets done.

Here’s the kicker: public denial continues despite obvious environmental consequences. You’d think that after your basement floods for the third time in five years (yes, that happened to me—insurance does not cover existential dread), you’d start to connect the dots. But for many, the pain just isn’t enough. As one observer put it:

‘Apparently, millions would rather suffer mightily — or even die, as many willfully unvaccinated people did — than admit they were wrong.’

It’s almost like we’re all that American robin, banging its head on the window over and over. Is it stubbornness? Denial? Or just a refusal to see what’s right in front of us? I’ve tried everything to keep that bird from hurting itself—cardboard, newspaper, even a fake raptor silhouette. Nothing works. The robin keeps coming back, thumping against the glass, convinced there’s nothing wrong with its approach. Sound familiar?

Research shows that climate change denial is deeply cemented in the MAGA movement, even as the humanitarian and economic costs pile up. The Trump administration’s push to defund climate research doesn’t just threaten the environment—it puts the entire economy at risk. Look at Brexit: Britain’s self-inflicted wound led to a 6% drop in GDP. Imagine a similar scenario here, with MAGA policies undermining science, education, and public health policies. The economic effects could be catastrophic.

Why does this denial persist? Part of it is the old friction between science and certain religious beliefs. Some folks just can’t reconcile scientific findings with what they’ve always been told. Others, especially those in power, fear what science means for their status. Scientific progress levels the playing field, and that’s threatening if you see yourself as “booted and spurred,” ready to ride the rest of us.

So, while the world burns (sometimes literally), climate change denial marches on. The cost? More suffering, more economic fallout, and a future that looks a lot less secure for everyone—except maybe those billionaire bunker-builders who think they can outrun reality. Spoiler: they can’t.

What We Lose: Education, Expertise, and the Future of STEM

Let’s talk about what’s really at stake when the Trump administration and its Project 2025 allies go after STEM education and scientific research. It’s not just about a few less scientists in lab coats or some obscure research project losing funding. It’s about the future of American innovation, our economy, and honestly, our place in the world. Defunding science and education isn’t just short-sighted—it’s a move that’s both economically and morally costly for America’s future.

Remember when STEM education was considered patriotic? When pushing kids toward science, technology, engineering, and math was seen as a way to keep America strong and competitive? Now, thanks to anti-science politics, that’s flipped on its head. Suddenly, studying biology or climate science is “woke,” and university research is under attack. The Trump administration has already slashed university and research funding, and Project 2025 is looking to take things even further—targeting everything from basic research to reproductive health and even threatening the very existence of some university programs.

Here’s the thing: research shows that cutting funding and spreading anti-expertise rhetoric doesn’t just slow down scientific progress. It actually threatens the entire STEM pipeline. Fewer students want to go into science when they see their future prospects shrinking. That’s a huge reversal from just a few years ago, when STEM courses in high school and college were seen as the ticket to a bright future. Now? Students are increasingly reluctant to pursue careers in science, and who can blame them?

And let’s not forget the economic effects. America’s edge in technology and innovation has always come from investing in education and research. If we keep going down this path, we’re looking at a serious “brain drain”—talented young people leaving for countries that actually value scientific research and expertise. The loss isn’t just in innovation; it’s in jobs, social mobility, and our ability to solve the big problems, from pandemics to climate change. As the saying goes, “It’s impossible to gauge just how much damage will be done as we ban vaccines, deny climate science and make measles great again.”

Project 2025’s chilling impacts go beyond just research funding cuts. The plan threatens to roll back FDA approvals, eliminate insurance coverage for essential medicines, and undermine reproductive health. All of this is wrapped up in a broader attack on expertise—because, let’s face it, autocrats hate being questioned by people who actually know what they’re talking about. The irony? The same folks shouting “Make America Great Again” are making STEM education—and by extension, America’s future—smaller and weaker than ever.

In the end, it’s not just scientists who lose. It’s all of us. When we attack STEM education and scientific research, we’re gambling away our economic future, our health, and the very idea that everyone deserves a shot at a better life. That’s a price America simply can’t afford to pay.

TL;DR: The MAGA movement’s hostility to science isn’t just a political quirk – it’s a tangled mix of power, fear, privilege, and denial that impacts everything from public health to climate change to the future of STEM. Until we stop thumping against our own reflections and confront hard truths, we’re all stuck with the consequences.

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