About

Dark MAGA or #DarkMAGA refers to a hashtag and series of memes that depict a "punished," more unhinged version of Donald Trump running for reelection in 2024 who has abandoned all optics, replacing his slogan MAGA with "Dark MAGA." The memes became popularized on Twitter in March 2022 and often depict Trump and other Republicans with an edgy aesthetic implying they're done playing the "nice guy." The memes often share similarities with schizoposting.

Origin

On March 12th, 2022, Twitter^[3] user @3rdincarnate tweeted an image of a black and gold tower, writing, "#DARKMAGA tower… Great orgone and electric concentrations are in the top floor apartment…" gaining over 460 likes in 10 days (shown below). This is the first use of the hashtag on Twitter.

Twitter^[1] user @conan_esq described the aesthetic of DarkMAGA memes in a tweet, writing:

#DarkMAGA is the aesthetic demand that Trump embrace a harder and more focused approach to the role only he can fill. He was too kindhearted, too forgiving. Dark MAGA demands he learn from his mistakes.

Spread

On March 14th, 2022, Twitter^[4][5] user @_forest_seeker_ posted two tweets using the hashtag #DarkMAGA, one showing Trump with an eyepatch captioned, "the world will be made to see a darker shade of MAGA…" (shown below, left) and the second an image of Jordan Peterson with face tattoos captioned, "Rumor has it this man will be in an advisory role for DJT's 2024 campaign, unsubstantiated quotes are circulating that he has called for 'total psywar, like has never been seen before on earth, or Aldebaran,'" gaining over 120 likes in a week (shown below, right).

On March 15th, memes started spreading on 4chan,^[8] Twitter^[6] and Telegram^[2] channels on the same theme, many depicting former U.S. President Donald Trump alongside a slew of White Nationalist or National Socialist people and symbols (examples shown below). On March 16th, the subreddit /r/DarkMAGA^[9] was created, which quickly received several posts related to the trend.

On March 18th, Twitter^[10] user @RealDarkTrump posted a photoshop using splitting Trump's face with Mario Judah's, using the hashtag, gaining over 5,000 likes in four days (shown below).

On March 21st, Twitter^[11] user @DiamondChariots posted a video edit compiling clips of Trump talking about instating the death penalty, gaining over 420 likes in a day (shown below).

Tough penalties will return for spies, traitors, and plunderers of the American people. The ultimate penalty. #DarkMAGA pic.twitter.com/wenR6OeKy5

— Ark Thumos (@DiamondChariots) March 21, 2022

Various Examples

Search Interest

References