I have a confession: I had no idea who Nicole Shanahan was before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tapped her as his running mate in March. And upon initially learning a bit about her, I thought, “Hmm. Kind of an unusual choice, but you do you, Bobby.” Once I saw and heard her speak and articulate her perspective, I found her interesting and engaging, but still, someone whose political stances were sufficiently removed from mine that I wouldn’t be voting for the ticket.
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But since the murmurs began, hinting that Kennedy might leave the presidential race and endorse former President Donald Trump, Shanahan has taken to the “unity” movement and embraced it with the full force of her resources and talent. I don’t know exactly who Shanahan’s “team” is, but they’re masters when it comes to putting together these little ad vignettes she’s been sharing.
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When RFK Jr. announced that he was teaming up with Trump, the MAGA movement was introduced to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement. And they’ve seemingly become fast friends.
In the latest installment from Shanahan and her team, we are treated to a brief “mockumentary,” which takes a look at the oft-maligned “MAGA People.” The two-and-a-half minute short is wickedly funny, dead serious, wholesome, and pointed, all at once.
Watch:
Who really are the MAGA People? pic.twitter.com/Zk6rvijCge
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) September 13, 2024
We’re treated to grainy footage, a jaunty little tune, and a pleasant yet studious British narrator, harkening back to those informational films we were treated to in elementary school. We see multiple scenes of families — of all sorts — loving one another and smiling and enjoying life while the narrator intones:
“Across the Atlantic, in the North American country of the United States, lies a fascinating and often misunderstood collective. From its Northeastern cities to its Midwestern towns to its expansive West, this courageous group of individuals are most notably known for their unwavering patriotism. Join us as we explore the fascinating world…of ‘The MAGA People.’
“As we embarked on our journey, we were judicious in taking all necessary precautions — our media had warned us that these were a vicious, radical, and even deplorable people. Contrary to what we had been told, we found the MAGA people to be warm, loving, and even rather cheeky at times.
As we spent time with the MAGA people, we learned that their mantra, ‘Make America Great Again,’ is an optimistic belief that the United States will once again prosper by returning to its founding principles of a government by and for the People. Under these beliefs, the MAGA people strive to protect America’s Constitution, freedom of its citizens, health of its people, and a yearning to restore the American Dream that existed not so long ago.”
The narrator goes on to note the “MAGA People’s” love of family, concern for preserving borders, advocacy for ending war, adding that they come “from all walks of life.” He then adds that they’ve recently joined forces with the “MAHA People,” with the aim of making America healthy again. He wraps by noting all they’ve learned from the “MAGA People,” hoping for a similar movement to emerge for those of his native land.
It’s all quite tongue-in-cheek, and it’s masterful in how cheekily it pokes at the elite, bubble-dwelling mindset of those who readily dismiss “MAGA People” as less-than and to be feared and disdained.
I don’t know what the next six weeks will bring us or what the outcome of the election will be. But I hope we continue to see more from Shanahan. While I certainly don’t agree with her on all issues, I do like the cut of her jib.
