The Make America Great Again movement has long prided itself on loyalty. But when its most vocal online champions start attacking each other, something is shifting. Candace Owens and Jessica Reed Kraus—two of the loudest non-elected voices in Trump’s universe—are now locked in a very public, very personal battle. And the cracks in the foundation of Trump’s movement are beginning to show.
An Instagram War for the Ages
Owens and Kraus are no strangers to controversy. But their latest fight is a spectacle of its own.
Dozens of Instagram Stories, passive-aggressive newsletters, and veiled jabs have turned a seemingly trivial argument into a full-fledged social media war. Kraus, a political commentator who evolved from mommy blogging, has accused Owens of copying her coverage of Hollywood’s latest legal scandal. Owens, the former Daily Wire firebrand, scoffed at the idea.
The result? A flurry of online attacks, each claiming moral high ground. Owens mocked Kraus’s influence. Kraus countered with flexes about her political connections. If high school cafeteria drama had a political wing, this would be it.
The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse for Trump
As the 2024 election looms, Trump’s camp can’t afford distractions. But his supporters are delivering one anyway.
Political strategist James Carville predicted weeks ago that MAGA’s internal factions were headed for a collapse. The Owens-Kraus spat isn’t just a random feud; it’s a sign of deeper instability within Trump’s base. The movement’s ideological unity—always more of a patchwork than a solid front—is fraying under the weight of personal ambitions and infighting.
Meanwhile, Trump himself is facing a tough road. His approval ratings remain underwater, and poll after poll shows that voters trust him on virtually no major issue. Even his usual allies—conservative media titans and online influencers—are starting to fracture. The MAGA ecosystem, once a force of blind loyalty, now looks more like a battlefield.
Who Owns the Conservative Media Spotlight?
Both Owens and Kraus see themselves as the future of right-wing media. That’s where this fight gets interesting.
- Owens, a polished provocateur, built her career on blunt, take-no-prisoners commentary. She’s still in Kanye West’s inner circle and has a loyal following among Trump’s most hardcore supporters.
- Kraus, who blends politics with celebrity gossip, thrives on giving her audience an inside look at power. Her Substack newsletters drip with drama, calling out everyone from Tucker Carlson to Hollywood elites.
The problem? There’s only so much space at the top. And with MAGA’s grip on conservative media showing signs of weakening, the competition for attention is getting ugly.
The Bigger MAGA Picture
This isn’t just about two influencers throwing digital punches. It’s about what their fight represents.
Owens and Kraus are part of a larger shift within the MAGA movement. The once-unified base is showing signs of stress, with different factions vying for dominance. Some cling to Trump with unwavering loyalty. Others hedge their bets, exploring alternative power centers like RFK Jr. or post-Trump conservatism.
Meanwhile, everyday voters are watching. And for a movement that built itself on strength and unity, public brawls like this aren’t a good look. The question now isn’t just who wins this particular feud—but whether the movement itself can survive the fractures forming beneath it.
