Right-wing podcasters, many of whose support helped Donald Trump sweep back into the Oval Office in 2024, have heralded the resignation of counterterrorism chief Joe Kent as further proof of a MAGA breakdown.
“The MAGA Coalition is shattered,” Tim Dillon, host of the Timcast, wrote on X in response to Kent’s announcement. “Trump can say 'I AM MAGA' all he wants, and it may be true, but lost support means MAGA is meaningless.”
Shawn Ryan, host of the Shawn Ryan show, added, “Sometimes the most impactful statement you can make is a strong resignation. It's unfortunate it's come down to this. God's speed @joekent16jan19 I hope this wakes some people up.”
In a resignation letter posted online Tuesday, Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said he could not “in good conscience,” support Trump’s decision to take the U.S. to war with Iran, because Iran posed “no imminent threat to our nation.”
Conspiracy theorist Candace Owens described Kent as “an American hero, patriot and veteran,” adding, “Trump is a shameful President.” Stalwart MAGA figures including Marjorie Taylor Greene also backed Kent, calling him a “GREAT AMERICAN HERO.”
Kent, a former Army Green Beret who lost his wife to a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019, was confirmed as NCC director last summer despite concerns about his links to far-right groups and promotion of conspiracy theories.
