Why Is MAGA Art So Dreadfully Uninspired?
As the right stokes culture wars, their alternatives to what they deem 'woke' Hollywood often prove to be shoddily made and lacking in creativity. This trend was starkly highlighted recently, from the premiere of a documentary about Melania Trump to a Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kid Rock.
The Super Bowl Spectacle: A MAGA Obligation
On Super Bowl Sunday, regular viewers enjoyed an elaborate and joyful halftime performance by Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny. However, those seeking to prove their MAGA loyalties faced a different option: a parade of country singers leading into Kid Rock's performance, where he seemingly lip-synced to a 1999 novelty hit. For rightwingers uncomfortable with Bad Bunny's Spanish lyrics, Kid Rock's clear English offered solace, albeit with lyrics borrowed from Black culture. This event, organized by Turning Point USA, blended the artistry of a Kid Rock show with the cheerlessness of a funeral, especially when it included a tribute to co-founder Charlie Kirk.
Melania Documentary: A Critical Failure
In movie theaters, the documentary Melania has become a rightwing cause célèbre this winter. Critically reviled, it struggles to make art out of its vacuous subject, resorting to nonsensical borrowing from other works. For instance, it uses music cues from Goodfellas and score from Phantom Thread, prompting composer Jonny Greenwood and director Paul Thomas Anderson to demand removal due to contractual violations. Filed alongside faith-based movies and projects by figures like Dinesh D'Souza, it raises questions about whether any rightwingers can produce seriously great art.
The Broader Landscape of Rightwing Entertainment
Angel Studios has attempted to cater to a MAGA-skewing audience with films like Sound of Freedom and animated Bible stories, though they argue some aren't conservative. Evangelical film-maker Dallas Jenkins has found success with Christian-themed entertainment like The Chosen, which overlaps with Melania's near-religious treatment of its subject. Historically, not all great artists have been left-leaning; conservatives like Frank Capra and James Stewart contributed to Americana, while modern figures like Sam Raimi show conservative strains in their work.
The Sticking Point: Trumpism vs. Art
The lack of compelling MAGA art may stem from Trumpism itself, which demands submission and fealty, qualities at odds with artistic freedom. Prominent right-leaning film-makers like Clint Eastwood and S Craig Zahler offer complex narratives rather than parroting talking points, but MAGA art often reduces to loyalty pledges. Trump's entertainment demands, such as reviving Rush Hour 4 due to Brett Ratner's involvement, highlight a transactional approach over genuine artistic appreciation.
Ultimately, while conservatism isn't inherently anti-art, the MAGA movement's focus on conformity and reality TV roots may hinder creativity, leaving its cultural offerings feeling dreadful and uninspired.
